I read alot of people using Printers Ink mixed in with other paints to achieve Metallics. Can someone please explain to me what exactly Printers Ink is and where I can get it from. Is it ink used by offset printing companies for their machines or inks used for writing instruments..... I need a little clarification. Also, are they water based inks so they can be mixed with Vallejo Acrylics ?

Any and all information about Printers Inks would be much appreciated.

Regards,

Adam.

Hey Adam:

From my experience, depending on the age of the 'ink', it will come in the form of a paste or powder. Not sure how extensive the colour range is but I have found Pale Gold, Rich Gold and Silver to be sufficient. If you plan to use the ink straight then a carrier of some description is required. I use Cobalt Drier or Liquin (not sure if you can get these or if there is an Aussie equivalent) but other carriers such as those found in Humbrol enamels can be used.

Not sure if you can mix them with acrylics as I have always used oils. I generally use umbers and siennas for golds and blacks and blues for silver (always over acrylic bases). The trick to using inks is too flow them on resulting in a smooth uniform finish.

As for suppliers, I got mine from Phil Kessling when he ran The Palette but I think Chuck Robinson at Red Lancers carries them. A small amount (I have mine in small plastic film canisters) will last you a lifetime.

Hope this helps

Paul

As a carrier for metalic printer's ink I've used W&N Liquin also and I have also used syphoned carrier from Testors metalic enamel paints. If you allow the Testors metalics an opportunity to settle you can syphone the carrier with an eyedropper and place it in a seperate resealable recepticle for use with metalic printer's ink both in paste and powder forms. It works great and the ink drys at the rate of the carrier.

Hope this helps,

Dave

They are the inks used in offset-litho, either straight or slightly modified.

No, not of that type. You can still used printers' inks with acrylic and vinyl paints (one over the other) just not intermix them.

Einion

Great..... thanks for the help on clearing that up guys.

Adam.