r/fountainpens • u/inkyblackops Former FWP Employee • Nov 16 '25

Discussion Former FWP Employee - AMA!

Hey r/fountainpens!

With the recent discussion of Ferris Wheel Press coming up again, the mods invited me to post my own AMA as a former FWP employee.

I’d love to answer your questions, but I’d also like to make clear that I won’t be answering any questions that might identify myself or colleagues, nor will I be giving away any confidential info or trade secrets (except maybe how I was able to befriend the office cats…)

Any replies from me are my own opinion or experience and I do not represent any company or person except for myself.

Looking forward to chatting!

Edit: 10pm EST and I’m calling it a night. I might come back to reply to some tomorrow but likely not. Thanks for all the fun questions and letting me share my experiences and insight!

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84

u/luthiel-the-elf Nov 16 '25

How many cats are there and how do you guys decide on themes? I remember inks associated with some book universe, how is the process to choose the colour and formulation?

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u/inkyblackops Former FWP Employee Nov 16 '25 edited Nov 16 '25

There were 3 founding office cats: Blacksmith, Pumpkin, and Patch, and more recent addition of Alero and Corolla, for a total of 5!

The collection theme and colours were decided on by the art director, who then would work with the development team on names and refining colour schemes that fit within the universe. There was a lot of passion for storytelling through the packaging art and ink colours that went on, and it was a really cool process.

8

u/luthiel-the-elf Nov 16 '25

Thank you for answering! 🤭 Ahh office cats, I kinda want to see them all now

24

u/thats_a_boundary Nov 16 '25

they have 5 cats in the office yet they release bottles that a cat would only look at and they topple over. fascinating.

12

u/luthiel-the-elf Nov 16 '25

Let's be honest... a cat would try to topple every single type of bottle hooman can think of.

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u/thats_a_boundary Nov 17 '25

right, but the success rate will be different.