Squid Inkjets Blog: History of Ink

Archives

Squid Inkjets Blog

History of Ink

We would like to provide you with some information regarding ink as it is the main stream of our business. The history of ink will be the starting point of the ink blog series.

As the starting point, a definition on ink is pertinent . What is ink? Ink is a liquid, which contains a variety of pigments used to colour a surface to produce text or images. Ink is used within a pen or brush or quill for writing or drawing purposes. Lithographic printing and letterpress use thicker type of inks.

China had developed texts and pictures from blacking the raised surface of carved stone in the era of 5000 years ago. A combination of lamp oil, pine smoke, as well as gelatin from animal musk and skin was the formula of that early ink. Minerals, plants like berries were used to create ink colour from other early cultures.

Sharon J.Huntington, gives the detail of the historical journey of ink in an article of a Christian Science Monitor:

"An ink recipe was produced approximately 1.600 years ago. This recipe became a popular one and used for many centuries. Tannin from gallnuts, which grow on trees, was mixed with iron "salts". Ferrous sulfate is a type of iron salt, which is very important in the process. This mixture then combined with a thickener. The ink will be bluish black when set on a paper. It fades after some times and became a dull brown."

Approximately AD 800 to 1500 sheepskin parchment was written by scribes in medieval Europe. In the 12th century, the ink recipe was made of hawthorn branches, which were left to dry after being cut in the spring time. Then the bark was soaked for eight days in water after crushed from the branches. This water then boiled by adding wine to get a thick form and black colour. Special bags were provided to place the ink in order to hang it in the sun. For the final step of the ink, the dried combination then mixed with wine and iron salt over a fire.

In Europe, Johannes Gutenberg had to develop a new ink type for the printing press in the 15th century. There were two types of ink well known at that era: the writing ink used by the Greek and Roman made of water, glue and soot, and the ink from the 12th century with various mixture of gum, gall, ferrous sulfate and water. Unfortunately, none of them could produce printing output without forming blurs. An ink from the combination of turpentine, soot and walnut oil was created. It produced oily ink with varnish-like result. This was the special ink created for printing press.

my account

shipping

policies

payment

customer service