India Ink
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(Excerpts from ART HARDWARE: The Definitive Guide to Artists’ Materials, by Steven Saitzyk © 1987) The term "India ink," or "China ink," originally referred to a lampblack (carbon) ink in stick form produced in either China or Japan. Today, "India ink" refers to any ink made of carbon that is also waterproof. Some manufacturers of India ink still use carbon from Oriental ink sticks. Shellac is commonly used as the binder for this ink and makes it waterproof. India ink should not contain any dye. There are two methods of testing an ink to see if it is a dye composite. A drop of ink placed on a piece of absorbent paper will spread out and feather at the edge. An ink that is a dye composite will produce a two-colored edge, such as a blue-black and maroon, within a few hours, and a carbon black ink will not. The second method is to place some of this ink on paper in direct sunlight for one day. If there is any evidence of fading, it is not a carbon ink. Nonwaterproof India inks are available-they are made primarily for use in fountain pens. The absence of shellac reduces the possibility of clogging. Nonwaterproof India inks always state on the label either "nonwaterproof" or "fount." Only such inks should be used in a fountain pen. However, the use of any India ink, waterproof or not, will void most fountain pen warranties. It would seem that the centuries of continuous use of India ink in both writing and drawing can be attributed to the simplicity of its use and its great permanence. |
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