Printers Ink Question

[Tarok]

I've seen various references to Printers Ink in various SBS's and in various colours - most notably black and silver. I've asked around in art stores for it but generally get a blank stare or get directed to the calligraphy inks... It's highly likely that's it's refered to something else here in SA... but on Saturday I saw a few bottles of the Winsor & Newton Drawing Inks on a shelf...

The question is simply... is the W&S Drawing Ink what's known as Printers Ink?

Rudi

 

[Roc]

Rudi, Printers inks are a paste like material which can be mixed with oils or used straight, they go on smoothe and when dry look very realistic.
I think Squadron carries the complete line.


Cheers
Roc.

 

[Tarok]

Are there any export/import restrictions when it comes to paints and liquids that you know of?

 

[Roc]

I don't think so, but I guess, you can check with the distributor.

Cheers

Roc. :lol:

 

[arthur]

Rudi,
Are there any print shops (offset not digital) in your area? You can simply ask the guys working there to give you (or sell) a bit of each basic color. That's how I get mine (I use silver, bronze/gold, black and brown). You can also get from them the inks solvent that works as a carrier /dillutant for the inks and is great to clean the brushes after painting. Printer inks have tendency to dry out and it's better to have them in small ammounts,...and since they are solvent based they could have some shipping restrictions.
Cheers,
A.

 

[Tarok]

Thanks guys... I'll give it a try...

 

[bonehead]

Try Mike Stelzel at Michael Roberts. He carries the stuff and all you have to do is order it from him...... ! )

I have seen some people, who were unaware of what the stuff is exactly, have some trouble using it. So here is an explanation:

The "Printer's Ink" in question is actually a metallic paste. The paste is used in offset printing when a metallic color is desired on a printed item. The two colors we mostly deal with are Gold and silver.

The paste is actually a super fine metallic powder that is suspended in a neutral medium to give it a little body. This stuff is NOT paint! And this is where most of the problems start. To apply the ink, it must be mixed with some sort of clear paint as a vehicle. Failure to do this will result in a dull finish that will easily rub off. Not good!

It can actually be mixed with any paint medium: enamel, acrylic or lacquer. It can also be mixed in with opaque paints, such as oil paint. However, to get the full brilliance it must be mixed with CLEAR paint. For this, I highly recommend using Testor Gold #1144 in the small rectangular bottles. It is cheap, readily available, and this vehicle was specially created for this very purpose! DO NOT SHAKE or mix the testor gold paint, but rather, let the paint separate out so that the powder is at the bottom of the bottle. Simply dip your brush into the top of the bottle to pick up the clear vehicle. Mix this with a small dab of printers ink on your palette as well and a bit of thinner and paint away!

Acrylic clear can be used also, but the acrylic paints dry pretty quickly and may not "leaf out" as well as the Testor enamel. "Leafing" is the effect caused by the metallic powder floating to the surface of the paint. This is needed to achieve maximum brilliance of the metallic powder. With fast drying acrylics, the leafing effect is not as good as with the slower drying enamels.

Hope this helps.....!

Mike

 

[bonehead]

Sorry, for our European friends the Testor paint may not be readily available.

To them I recommend using Humbrol clear gloss paint. This will work almost as well as the Testor medium. The only disadvantage is its slight carmel color which will diminish the brilliance a tiny bit over the Testor clear vehicle.