Spotlight: OPUS 88

Our first introduction to Opus 88 was at Yoseka Stationery Fest in New York last year. Though we went to the event as attendees ready to indulge in all the paper goods and fun writing tools, we made some great in-person connections with a few brands, one of whom was Kelly, the general manager of OPUS 88. From there, we started small, bringing a few pens to the shop to try out. Before you knew it, we were singing the praises of their pens to anyone at the shop trying out our testers.

OPUS 88 fountain pens initially stood out to us with their Japanese eyedropper ink filling system, which includes a safety valve within the pen body to manage ink flow. The unique ink filling system intrigued us with the advantage of being safe for travel –no surprise ink explosions, plus an unmatched ink capacity. As we got to know these pens firsthand, testing them in the shop and hearing feedback from customers, the list of advantages kept growing. There's no need for proprietary converters or cartridges as the pen can be filled from any fountain pen ink bottle using their handy glass eyedropper. Cleaning is a breeze, simply empty out the pen body and flush the nib with water. Lastly, the nib unit can be unscrewed from the section easily for cleaning, swapping to different size nibs, or to replace a damaged nib. With all these great features, it's easier to focus on creativity. 

We sent some questions to Kelly about the beginnings of OPUS 88 and their experience with making fountain pens. She was gracious to also send us photos of their manufacturing facility in Taiwan. Since their company has grown over the years, they're in the process of moving to a larger facility soon. We can't wait to see what they create next!

Could you tell us about the history of OPUS 88? How did the company begin? 

From 1975-2017, we were doing OEM or ODM business, which means we made many pens for famous fashion brands or pen brands.

At first, my parents just simply wanted to have extra income. In Taiwan, 1970s, many families‘ living rooms were like tiny factories, many people worked at daytime then took some small works jobs at night.

In 1970s Taiwan, family style factories made a lot of Christmas decorations, clothes, dolls and so on.

How did you decide to make fountain pens? 

2015, in Taiwan, we had a huge fountain pen boom. At the time, I was thinking, we know all kinds of technologies of pens. Why not start our business? So we started.

At first, we printed the pen caps and barrels for branded pens. Actually we printed all kinds of pens. Like the photos, this pen is over 50 years old, this is an automatic pencil! From 2017, we decided to make only eyedropper fountain pens.

With the many options for fountain pens between nibs, materials, and color schemes, why does OPUS 88 specialize in eyedropper fill fountain pens?

Genuine eyedropper requires excellent pen manufacturing technology. Before, it was used on extremely high-end Maki-e pens.

We used to make the pen body and ink filling system for a famous brand 25 years ago and we learned the entire structure.

Are there any materials or styles you’d like to explore in the future?

Light materials like aluminum and more colorful ebonites.

We are drawn to the functionality and design of OPUS 88 pens. How do the different pen models represent OPUS 88 as a brand? 

The soul is still the eyedropper ink filling system. Based on the outward extension of this ink system, different pen types are designed for different needs.

For example, Mini pens are for people who like color, Jazz is a classic pen type, each pen brand has it, the style of round head and round tail.

Harmony and Minty will be more feminine, and Demo is a very important brand icon.

What fountain pen features are important to the brand?

Good grip feeling, good/smooth nib, and airtight. Of course, good after-sales service is also important.

What is the inspiration behind the different pen models?

The founder usually has sudden inspiration. But let me take Koloro as an example. When my father and I wanted to start the Opus 88 business, we used ebonite and acrylic.

The first pen combines two different materials. On the one hand, I want to make this pen unique, and on the other hand, I really want to show our technique.

What kind of writing experience do you hope OPUS 88 users will have? 

Huge ink capacity, smooth nib writing, unique pen printing/pen style, and our lifetime guarantee.

What do you feel is the importance of having fine writing instruments?

It can slow you down in your fast life. You can clarify your thoughts. It can showcase taste for sure.

Do you have a favorite OPUS 88 pen?

Koloro Beige/Teal Fine

What's your favorite pen, ink, nib combination?

I am a very boring person (laughs), I usually use a Koloro fine nib with Pelikan 4001 black ink.

However, when I go to pen shows, I must bring Taiwan ink brands Ink Institute and Lennon Tool Bar, they make brilliant inks and the sheens are amazing.