1/26/2012 Product Info's Tip of the Week; Ink is ink is ink…

[Blick Art Materials]

Ink is ink is ink…

…or is it? There are actually quite a number of different kinds of ink, many with specific intended uses and cannot be substituted for. Inks can be used for writing of course, and other office related tasks such as in printers. Inks are also used for a variety of art related applications such as drawing, printmaking, painting, Sumi E, stamping, fabric painting, and air brushing to name just a few.
There is an array of attributes to be considered when choosing an ink. There are inks available in almost every combination of those attributes so it pays to make sure the ink you choose is the right one for the job. A few of the most common attributes used to classify common marker and drawing inks include:
· dye based/pigment based
· waterproof/non-waterproof
· waterbased/solvent based
Pigment based inks are ones that use pigments rather than dye to give them their color. Pigment based inks are generally much more resistant to fading than dye based inks. Lightfastness may vary depending on the individual pigment used however. Some inks use a combination of dye and pigments to achieve their unique properties.
Dye based inks are ones that get their color from dyes rather than pigments. Dye based inks often appear brighter and more vibrant and may be available in a wider range of colors than pigment based ink but generally do not offer the same level lightfastness or fade resistance of pigment based ink. Dye based inks generally dry very quickly.
Waterproof or water resistant inks, once dry, are resistant to being rewet and smearing or running if exposed to water.
Non Waterproof inks can be rewet after dried, similar to watercolor paints. Care should be taken to protect documents or artwork created with non waterproof ink from accidental exposure to water or moisture.
Waterbased inks use water as the carrier rather than solvents. Compared to solvent based inks, waterbased inks tend to be less smelly and safer to use. All scholastic grade inks and markers used for young children will be waterbased. Many people think that water-based inks could not be waterproof however this is not necessarily the case. One dried they may be waterproof or non-waterproof.
Solvent based inks dry very quickly and tend to have an odor. There are a variety of different solvents that are used as the carrier for these inks with alcohol being a common one. Since solvents can be flammable and toxic, extra care is needed when using these inks and they are not suitable for use by children. Solvent based inks are usually waterproof or water resistant once dried but some may be non-waterproof.

-Angela L.
Product Information Specialist

For further assistance using art supplies, feel welcome to contact our Product Information Department at
1-800-933-2542 or e-mail us at info@dickblick.com. Hours of operation: M-F, 8:00am-5:30pm CST.

[ribeyedsmile]

this is an interesting thread:

http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=988382