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Mixing Inks

DunhillGuru

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DunhillGuru

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I am curious. Are there any basic rules about mixing inks? Should you only mix inks by the same manufacturer, or is it OK to mix inks from different manufacturers?

 

I would like to mix Dunhill's black ink with Dunhill's blue ink to create ... yes you guessed it a blue black. But I am not sure if I would be breaking ant sacrosanct rules by doing so.

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Imzadi Vintage

Imzadi

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I think the general is rule is mixing from the same brand is okay. I read of many here who mix between brands. The basic rule seems to be to mix and wait at least overnight to check for adverse reactions like slime, sediment, etc. Someone with more knowledge will be along soon to add better info. I hope this helps a little.

Edited by Imzadi

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someonesdad Vintage

someonesdad

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It's your ink to do with as you please. It's suggested that you start with small quantities, measure accurately (so you can repeat it if you want to), and keep good notes on what you did.

 

Look for a chemical reaction in the mixture -- clouding, precipitation, etc. It's unlikely, but it can happen. If so, don't use that mixture. Also, some folks recommend setting the mixture aside for a while and using it the next day to see if anything has changed.

 

Realize a mixture may not have the same properties as the components. For example, if you mix a Noodler's bulletproof ink with something else, you may lose the bulletproof characteristics.

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Federalist Pens Collectors Item

Federalist Pens

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I mix inks frequently. It seems to be OK as long as the inks are PH neutral.

I mix different brands to make blues, reds, and greens darker.

I do this a lot with PR, Diamine, Sheaffer, and Parker ink.

I have not had a problem as of yet.

 

I have heard that Sailor ink should not be mixed. I have not used it, so I'm not sure why.

I have never mixed Blue-Black inks either (Like MB/Lamy) because of the iron gall issues.

Maybe this is true of Sailor as well? Someone with more knowledge can help with this!

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archie001 Extremely Rare

archie001

Posted
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I am curious. Are there any basic rules about mixing inks? Should you only mix inks by the same manufacturer, or is it OK to mix inks from different manufacturers?

 

I would like to mix Dunhill's black ink with Dunhill's blue ink to create ... yes you guessed it a blue black. But I am not sure if I would be breaking ant sacrosanct rules by doing so.

 

Many people mix inks in different ways however, I read somewhere never mix inks. I haven't tried mixing and I just buy available ink colors that please me.

Fountain Pen is for people who have a delicate taste in writing

 

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hamadryad11 Extremely Rare

hamadryad11

Posted
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I am curious. Are there any basic rules about mixing inks? Should you only mix inks by the same manufacturer, or is it OK to mix inks from different manufacturers?

 

I would like to mix Dunhill's black ink with Dunhill's blue ink to create ... yes you guessed it a blue black. But I am not sure if I would be breaking ant sacrosanct rules by doing so.

There are no sacrosanct rules, there is only mad science!

 

Err... yes. Well anyway, some inks will react to each other when you mix them, which can clog or maybe even damage a pen. I think if you follow the advice of other people in this thread - mix it in small amounts, and let it sit a while before using - you'll probably be OK.

The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools. -- Herbert Spencer, (1820-1903) British author, economist, philosopher.

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WendyNC Antique

WendyNC

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I remember seeing somewhere here that there are two Aurora inks which should not be mixed together but I'm still fighting with the search feature to make it behave for me.

I came here for the pictures and stayed for the conversation.

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gregamckinney Antique

gregamckinney

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I remember seeing somewhere here that there are two Aurora inks which should not be mixed together but I'm still fighting with the search feature to make it behave for me.

 

Apparently, Aurora Blue and Aurora Black should not be mixed with each other. These are the only colors Aurora makes.

I do not know if this warning applies to mixing Aurora inks with other brands or not.

 

Regards, greg

Don't feel bad. I'm old; I'm meh about most things.

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andru Extremely Rare

andru

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I remember seeing somewhere here that there are two Aurora inks which should not be mixed together but I'm still fighting with the search feature to make it behave for me.

Apparently, Aurora Blue and Aurora Black should not be mixed with each other. These are the only colors Aurora makes.

That's surprising information!

I do not know if this warning applies to mixing Aurora inks with other brands or not.

I've used Aurora Black to darken a number of blends with no untoward effects. On the other hand, I tried using Noodler's Polar Black and had precipitation in several cases.

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JakobS Collectors Item

JakobS

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A good tidbit to go by in mixing ink, is mix like with like, not so much the same brand ink with the same brand ink, but the same PH level ink to the same PH level ink. Acidic inks with Acidic inks, PH neutral inks with PH Neutral inks, and Alkaline inks with Alkaline inks. This does take a little research to figure out with inks are which, but such research is readily available. Of course PH reactions, precipitation most specifically, may not be the only thing to worry about, but is probably the most prominent chemical reaction when it comes to mixing inks.

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lapis Museum Piece

lapis

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I've mixed everything i ever bought except iron gall and India inks. Never seen a problem yet.

 

Mike

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MattN Rare

MattN

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Apparently, Aurora Blue and Aurora Black should not be mixed with each other. These are the only colors Aurora makes.

I do not know if this warning applies to mixing Aurora inks with other brands or not.

 

Regards, greg

This is not the first time I've read this, but I'd be curious to hear from anyone who's actually tried it. What happens when you mix these two inks?

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derkleineHerrFriedemann NOS (New Old Stock)

derkleineHerrFriedemann

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A good tidbit to go by in mixing ink, is mix like with like, not so much the same brand ink with the same brand ink, but the same PH level ink to the same PH level ink. Acidic inks with Acidic inks, PH neutral inks with PH Neutral inks, and Alkaline inks with Alkaline inks. This does take a little research to figure out with inks are which, but such research is readily available. Of course PH reactions, precipitation most specifically, may not be the only thing to worry about, but is probably the most prominent chemical reaction when it comes to mixing inks.

 

 

Interesting, because one may have thought of doing well by mixing an acidic with an alkaline ink, to result in a gentle PH-neutral ink :)

 

btw, where can I find the PH-levels of inks?

 

I already know this source:

http://www.marcuslink.com/pens/ink/ink-and-ph-levels.htm

 

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