Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Different Types of Black Ink

Some people might believe that black ink is simply black ink. This leads to the question, are there different blacks in ink? The simple answer is yes, there are actually in fact different types of black. It varies depending on the use and what the needed effect of the ink is. While it may be true that black ink is black ink when it comes to a standard printer used for home use, there are multiple other types available on the market. Black ink is not just black ink when it comes to drawing, non-waterproof, and with offset printing.

Drawing Ink

Drawing ink is a waterproof ink that creates a very bold imprint on the paper. It is also prone to drying very quickly because of the dissolved resin that is inside of it. The resin is dissolved in order to add a glossy finish to the ink once it dries. This is done so that the ink can be printed over multiple times in order to create a picture and so that it will not smudge down the road. This type of ink is commonly used by graphic designers and artists.

Non-Waterproof

The next type of black ink is non-waterproof. This type is commonly found in fountain pens and inkwells. This type of ink is much thinner and absorbs in the paper at a much faster rate than its waterproof counterpart. The ink is designed to be much more like a watercolor than anything else. While it has its role in the ink world, it is not to be used for every purpose.

Offset Ink

Finally, there is the offset ink. This is the type of ink that is commonly used for printing large amounts of paper quickly, such as with newspapers or for large business purposes. This type of ink is very absorbent and is uncoated. As a result, offset printing ink will not smudge, even when it is used to print at a very rapid pace. The varnish that is used in it dries at a quick enough ate that it can be used in magazines and in high end publications, where the printing process truly does matter.

Hopefully, the question of are there different blacks in ink is a little bit more clear now. The answer always will be a simple yes, but there is more than meets the eye when it comes to ink. The environment is changing, and the next type of ink may be coming soon.