Big Updates from the Char & Bloom Ink
This past week has been a huge leap forward for Char & Bloom. What started with me petitioning local shops has now turned into conversations with retailers nationwide. Multiple stores have asked for samples, and some are already looking to stock Char & Bloom inks in their locations. I even reached out to friends and shops on the West Coast, swinging for the fences and aiming big. It feels like the vision of getting this carbon-negative, sustainable ink into the hands of artists everywhere is truly starting to take shape.
Studio Progress
On the production side, things are running ahead of schedule. Right now, I’ve got about 10 kilos of dry pigment ready to go, enough to fill orders for the next five months. That means I’m well ahead of my production ceiling and positioned to scale up quickly. Currently, I produce around 2 kilos of pigment per month, which translates to roughly 200 bottles of 50ml ink. With just a little extra push, I can double or even triple that output on my own.
I’m also experimenting with a new waterproof formula, so expect to see another line of ink added soon. And long-term, I’m pushing toward an even bigger milestone: investing in a homogenizer or nano bead mill to produce fountain pen and technical pen ink. As someone who primarily draws with technical pens, this would be a huge personal achievement as well as a business expansion.
The Zero-Waste Breakthrough
One of the most exciting breakthroughs recently has been solving my “water problem.” After filtering pigment, I was left with excess water. Now, by adjusting the pH, I can repurpose it as a carbon-balanced soil, garden, and crop tonic. It’s completely natural and works like a fertilizer. Early tests have gone great (nothing has died yet, so I’m counting that as a win!). In the next month or two, I’ll have more data on how it impacts growth and yield.
This means Char & Bloom is now officially zero waste, every part of the process is reused or recycled. Down the line, when I’m trimming my own trees for pigment, I’ll be able to use this tonic on the very same trees, creating a full-circle, regenerative system.
Moving Forward
Right now, my biggest focus is driving sales as quickly as possible to pay down the debt I took on to build this business. But I’ve never been more excited—or more committed. My days are basically: wake up, head to the studio, make ink, come home and draw with it, record content, edit, and spread the word online.
Char & Bloom is about more than just ink. It’s about making something better for artists and better for the planet. This is just the beginning, and I’m giving it everything I’ve got.
