![]() ![]() Pigments are tiny particles of colored material, such as certain minerals. Dye-based fountain pen inks are unlikely to clog pens but particularly strong dyes can cause staining. If you use dye-based inks for art, their relative transparency may allow for watercolor-esque effects. This can make the color appear less intense, but this is not usually a problem for writing. Most dye-based inks are neither lightfast nor waterproof, so they’re best for writing and art that doesn’t need to last a long time.ĭye-based inks are often also less opaque than pigment-based inks. They are generally cheaper than pigments, are available in many colors, and can produce very bright hues. Dyes are the most common type of colorant used in inks. Just like salt and sugar disappear when stirred into water but make their presence known by making it taste salty or sweet, dyes color the ink vehicle but cannot be distinguished from it once they are mixed together. Many permanent markers, such as Sharpies.ĭyes are colorants that completely dissolve in the liquid they are mixed with.They do not have the strong smell that is typically associated with oil-based and alcohol-based markers, and their thick ink prevents their writing from spreading out on paper the way that thinner marker ink does. Markers labeled as oil based are typically marketed as multi-surface or permanent markers, with the emphasis placed on the durability and versatility of their marks.īallpoint pens, although they fall into the same general category, behave differently from their marker cousins. ![]() They blend easily, produce consistent color, and dry quickly. Markers labeled as alcohol based are often intended for art. Given these similarities, what a particular pen is called has more to do with what the manufacturer wants to emphasize about its characteristics than an actual distinction in its composition. They may also have a strong smell that makes them unpleasant to use for long periods. The counterpoint to this benefit is that the oil- and alcohol-based inks used in markers spread out on regular paper, making wide lines that are hard to control. They are also able to write on slick surfaces better and with a more reasonable drying time than water-based inks. They may be colored with dyes or pigments and are typically water resistant or waterproof. In general, oil- and alcohol-based pens contain both alcohols and oils. Despite all the complexity and variability that the other elements of the ink introduce, this information gives us valuable clues about how the ink is likely to behave.Īlthough they’re spoken of as distinct categories, there are no consistent differences between oil-based and alcohol-based inks either chemically or in terms of their performance. We do, however, usually know the two basic components of the ink: the vehicle and the colorant. Ink manufacturers are extremely protective of their proprietary formulas, so we aren’t able to use the specifics of their ingredients or mixing processes to inform our ink choices. Just like bread and pizza dough contain similar ingredients but turn out differently when baked, inks made with similar components can have different characteristics depending on how they are treated during the mixing process. These ingredients are then combined in a specific way to ensure that the ink has the correct characteristics. For example, manufacturers may use surfactants to give an ink the right surface tension to flow reliably through a pen, binders to help deposited color stick to the paper once the vehicle evaporates, and preservatives to prevent mold. Inks also contain several additives that fine-tune their performance. ![]() See our Glossary for more information.įundamentally, all inks are made of color that is dissolved or suspended in a vehicle (also called a solvent or carrying medium) that delivers that color to the paper. *There is no standard definition of what “permanent” or “archival” means for an ink. Oil-based ink, alcohol-based ink, some specialized gel inks Liquid water-based ink ( rollerball and fountain pen ink), gel inkĭye-based ink, water-based ink ( rollerball and fountain pen ink) Oil-based ink, alcohol-based ink, pigment-based ink These are listed on the left-hand side of all of our product category pages. If you are looking for a specific ink characteristic or composition, you can use the facets on our website to quickly find what you are looking for. Planner Stickers, Pens, Stamps, and More.Japanese Stationery: What's the Big Deal?.The Difference Between Ballpoint, Gel, and Rollerball Pens. ![]()
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