Pigment ink making Attempt #1
Posted Feb 10, 2022, 6:13 PM UTC
13226
You may have more luck making this into an ink you can use with dip pens (metal or glass). You could add Gum Arabic, which makes a traditional ink that isn’t waterproof. It will glue the pigments down onto the surface. Or you could use a casein, acrylic, or shellac medium to create a waterproof ink.
It may be worth calling Kremer Pigments in New York City for technical assistance. (Main office is in Germany, if you’re located in Europe.) The New York store people are very knowledgeable and readily answer questions even if you didn’t buy the pigment there. They may also know about milling this pigment down to nano-particle size, since Kremer manufactures its own line of nano-pigments.
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thank you for the insightful input.
mixing this with clear arcylic water proof ink for dip pens (definitely dont know the most idea way to do it.. but i'll research on that if need to ). might have to go that route just for some dip pen fun if the final cost of the project becomes prohibitted expensive.
I will certainly reach out to Kremer pigment. and see if they can help me out.
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I love a pigment nerd.
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Yeah, I love making paint. Going to Kremer’s store used to be an annual pilgrimage for me in pre-Covid days….
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I'm trying to make my own pigment ink, mainly because I like the color blue, and the new pigment: Yinmn blue intrigues me.
well, long story short, it's going to be nearly impossible to hand grind this to particles fine enough to be used for genearl fountain pen ink.
I need to get this down to probably 20 micron, fairly difficult to do this by hand
after 2 hours of mortaring, bottom of my my ceramic mortar is all shiny now.
The pigment seem to be very resistant to crushing, I may need a Zicronia mill to make this happen.
So... my question is... does anyone know any affordable micron milling services.... or what is most econimcal way to grind things down using zicronia grinders without breaking the bank.
PS. Just FYI, this is how the ink look like right now.
THe main issue is that it's most of the pigment are not fine enough to "seep" into the paper and get lock there. so it just leaves a powder mess on top of the paper. Kinda like an over saturated shenning ink.
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cool idea. In case you fail - I hope not, bungubox has a nice bright blue pigment ink
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yeah i know... worst comes to worst.. i will have to get it from them.
the thing is .... Yinmn blue is just such an unique pigment...
it's structurally stable, basically completely uv resistant with strangely high IR refraction rate. it basically the most stable, long lasting blue pigment that doesn't fade. Would love to use it for long term journal. but man.. this thing is going to be hard to work with.
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I ordered a bottle of Eternal Sapphire from the first run. It's not water resistant at all. They messaged everyone that they're trying to fix it. I hope they do.
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Wow, did nobody test it? Thanks for the info.
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Usually all my attempts at trying something new start with a simple "How hard can it be?" The answer usually is pretty hard but once I'm at that point I have already started and quitting is not an option.
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yeah, i'm going to do more research and try to follow through this experiment. I found one solution so far... but it's really, REALLy price prohibited...
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What makes the stuff in the bottle look so chalky?
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There is only pigment and a bit of surfactant in there
the fine pigment of this ink, generally looks chalky white when suspended water
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I was just looking at getting this pigment yesterday lol. Thanks for the info.
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well. someone gotta be the guinea pig right? XD
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Innovator 👏😆
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Not a pro, but most people who mill their own watercolors use glass mullers on glass sheets. I'd have thought that part of your problem is that you're using two somewhat porous surfaces.
That said, I agree with the advice to hit up Kraemer pigments. Good luck! :)
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If you really want a highly permanent and potentially damaging ink there are plenty of IGA inks out there in interesting colors. With those you at least have a chance to not mess up the pen.
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i actually tried four so far.
three from platinum and one from R&K
They all have one thing in common.
The actual "permanent" part of the ink was really the fine iron particles. The actual bright color it self, are mostly not water resistant at all.
As for the pen, they will do fine.
I put this one in my Conid last night during test, and today it disassembled and clean out just fine.
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You just had to pick one of the most granulating pigments currently on the market, didn't you?
in my defense... i swear I didn't know when I set this project in motion XD
It does make a really lovely watercolour. Might be an easier project, if that is a medium you're interested in?
I might use this for some paint on trims around my house if all else fails... (yes.. eye searing blue paint, hopefully hoa doesn't mind)
but the goal for the time being is to use this as my long term/life journal due to its vibrant and basically permanent properties.
and I am not good at drawing. coloring yes. drawing… noo
Haha as soon as I saw it was YinMin I physically winced!
Hahahahahaha. No kidding! :)
sometimes, sometimes life throws you a curve ball and start your new adventure in ultra hard mode without you knowing.
This is one of those moments. XD