Assorted doesn't mean random!
I was very pleased to open the packet to find that assorted just meant 'lots of different ones' rather than 'here is a random selection oops you got five blues'. The 12 pack gives you 12 colours, and the colour dots on the outside of the package correspond to which cartridge is in that colour. So far I've used the black and red (which came with the Parallel pens) and the turquoise and yellow from the assorted packet. They are very vibrantly pigmented. Do take note though, the formula is specific for use with Parallel pens-- it's more viscous than standard ink, and shouldn't be used inside a normal fountain pen.