- Mixing Inks -

[Clancy]

Hello Inksters. This topic has probably been addressed somewhere along the line. If so, perhaps point me to a link.

I'm wondering what the prevailing wisdom might be regarding mixing different brands on ink. Is it okay to do this or is

there some specific reasons not to?

Thanks for the feedback

[andru]

To start off, I'd suggest a couple things:

 

The Ink Recipes subforum will give you experience reports on many specific ink mixes.

 

I've read that colloidal inks such as Noodler's may result in faster rates of separation/sedimentation after mixing.

 

It is probably a bad idea to mix inks with very different pH (acidity/basicity). Here are some sources of information about pH of some inks. My feeling is that the values are accurate enough to be a useful guide for pH compatibility:

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/154941-checking-the-ph-of-inks/page__view__findpost__p__2358779

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/202103-ph-level-of-inks-results/page__view__findpost__p__2070173

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/202103-ph-level-of-inks-results/page__view__findpost__p__2401562

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

 

Less saturated inks such as most of Diamine's will probably be safer for mixing, if the pH's are not incompatible.

 

You can make a test with a few drops of each ink in a candidate mixture, then look for precipitates.

 

Hope this helps. No doubt those with more experience can supplement or correct my advice.

[Clancy]

Thanks very much, Andru, for the information and links. Your reply was very helpful

[andru]

Hey, you're welcome, thanks for the express gratitude. Anyway it's an interesting but risky area, in principle a lot could go awry. Happy mixing!

[Strang]

Yes, certain inks should not be mixed. Always try to make a small sample mix and watch it for 48 hours or so, for any negative chemical reactions, before you commit to making a big batch. Sailor inks are quite alkaline and shouldn't be mixed with other brands. Brands that I have been able to mix with just about anything are J. Herbin, Diamine, and Iroshizuku. Also, Private Reserve inks mix well with most inks. But, as always when mixing, don't forget to wear your goggles!

[Sandy1]

Hi,

 

+1 for the above links.

 

Going by Brands of ink, most marketing Co.s are mute, with notable exceptions:

• J. Herbin has a written warning on the boxes of their 30ml bottles forbidding mixing.
• Rohrer & Klingner mentioned that with the exception of Sepia, all their FP inks can be intermingled.
• Organics Studio has given the go-ahead for intermingling their [current] Elements series inks.
• Noodler's once-upon-a-time discouraged mixing their 'bullet-proof' inks, apparently as the B-P properties might be compromised.

 

Mixes with iron-gall inks are certainly possible, but should be watched carefully for stability. LINK

The nano-particle inks from Platinum and Sailor: I really think mixing those might have the highest exposure to the risk of a nasty outcome - those might eat the local moggies.

 

However, I have had a jolly time mixing common dye-based inks with only the rare unusable result.

 

Bye,

 

S1

 

= = =

 

Note: Goggles may not offer adequate protection; my preferences @ Post № 7

Edited July 29, 2012 by Sandy1

[andru]

Sailor inks are quite alkaline and shouldn't be mixed with other brands. Brands that I have been able to mix with just about anything are J. Herbin, Diamine, and Iroshizuku. ... But, as always when mixing, don't forget to wear your goggles!

Actually Stang, and this came as somewhat of a surprise to me (although it is consistent with other Japanese inks, and may help explain their rich and unique properties): the Iroshizuku inks (see 1st link in the second post above) are among the most alkaline of all those tested!

 

Supplies for mixing inks:

Scott Air-Pak

Orange fish-net stockings

Nomex bunny suit

Remington SP10

:ltcapd:

Edited July 29, 2012 by andru

[Strang]

Sailor inks are quite alkaline and shouldn't be mixed with other brands. Brands that I have been able to mix with just about anything are J. Herbin, Diamine, and Iroshizuku. ... But, as always when mixing, don't forget to wear your goggles!

Actually Stang, and this came as somewhat of a surprise to me (although it is consistent with other Japanese inks, and may help explain their rich and unique properties): the Iroshizuku inks (see 1st link in the second post above) are among the most alkaline of all those tested!

Supplies for mixing inks:Scott Air-PakOrange fish-net stockingsNomex bunny suitRemington SP10

:ltcapd:

 

 

Well, I'm going to have to throw out those seven or eight mixes I made using Iroshizuku inks...hmmm, maybe not.