Comments on: Mixing Ink http://dolcepress.com/blog/2007/10/18/mixing-ink/ Graphic Design Studio & Letterpress Print Shop Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:13:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3 By: Alexandra http://dolcepress.com/blog/2007/10/18/mixing-ink/#comment-5 Alexandra Fri, 19 Oct 2007 16:29:53 +0000 http://dolcepress.com/blog/2007/10/18/mixing-ink/#comment-5 Hi Mike, Both types of ink are suitable for letterpressing. The main difference between the inks is the drying property. Oil based inks dry through absorption into paper as well as by air. Rubber based inks dry through absorption, therefore, it takes longer to dry and it will stay wet on your inkplate and rollers for a very long time. I was told you can even leave rubber based ink on your ink plate and rollers overnight (I STRONGLY DO NOT recommed it) and it will still be good. If you are using a coated stock of paper, you would go with oil based. In my opinion the ink choice is up to you depending on your needs. Oil based inks tend to be cheaper and more readily available at your local offset printer. They probably have some left over inks they store in plastic containers so if you go to your local printer, and tell them your starting out, they will give you the ink free of charge. I hope this helps. Good Luck and happy letterpressing. Alex Hi Mike,

Both types of ink are suitable for letterpressing. The main difference between the inks is the drying property. Oil based inks dry through absorption into paper as well as by air. Rubber based inks dry through absorption, therefore, it takes longer to dry and it will stay wet on your inkplate and rollers for a very long time. I was told you can even leave rubber based ink on your ink plate and rollers overnight (I STRONGLY DO NOT recommed it) and it will still be good. If you are using a coated stock of paper, you would go with oil based. In my opinion the ink choice is up to you depending on your needs.

Oil based inks tend to be cheaper and more readily available at your local offset printer. They probably have some left over inks they store in plastic containers so if you go to your local printer, and tell them your starting out, they will give you the ink free of charge.

I hope this helps. Good Luck and happy letterpressing.

Alex

]]> By: Michael http://dolcepress.com/blog/2007/10/18/mixing-ink/#comment-4 Michael Fri, 19 Oct 2007 15:45:42 +0000 http://dolcepress.com/blog/2007/10/18/mixing-ink/#comment-4 I loved your post, it was very informative. I am just getting started with letterpress printing and found that there is a lot to learn! What type of ink (oil or rubber-based) do you recommend? I went to my local printer and asked him for some ink and he asked me what kind I wanted. I didn't know what to say because I wasn't sure of the difference between them. Thanks & Good Luck, Mike I loved your post, it was very informative. I am just getting started with letterpress printing and found that there is a lot to learn!

What type of ink (oil or rubber-based) do you recommend? I went to my local printer and asked him for some ink and he asked me what kind I wanted. I didn’t know what to say because I wasn’t sure of the difference between them.

Thanks & Good Luck,
Mike

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