I already had two ink pads and purchased this to complete the "color family set". It is a great, intense color. I initially thought that it would be the "blacker" form of the lighter color in the set such as what you get when picking out swatches while shopping for paint. Though it IS darker, it is not dark. It is a very vibrant, saturated color. It is very close to the ink color magenta, FYI. because the color is so intense, I find myself grabbing it for sentiment stamping. It turns out like the cover picture, not black. In other words, you don't have to have it next to another color for it to look like the color intended; it can stand alone. Gorgeous!