Speedball Calligraphy Ink - Thinning It

[rcarlisle]

I have a set of Speedball Calligraphy inks that I got for Christmas in 2009. I have never used them much but recently I got them out and gave them a try. They seem too thick to me. I load my Brause dip pen but the ink does not flow. I suspect that sitting unused for nearly two years some solvent has evaporated. They are marked as waterproof ink. Can anyone tell me what I could use to thin the inks so they would flow better. I have no idea what the solvent is for these inks. I tried cleaning the nibs with turpentine after the ink dried on my dip nib and it did nothing to the ink. Water and soap seemed to work better. Does anyone know what the solvent is in these inks? Thank you.

[Chthulhu]

They're acrylic inks, according to the Speedball Web site, so try thinning a sample with water. Soap and water cleanup should also be correct, until they dry completely. For pen cleaning, they have a pen cleaner solution; Dick Blick (http://www.dickblick.com/products/speedball-calligraphy-inks/) carries it as item 21124-1003

Edited September 29, 2011 by Chthulhu

[smk]

They're acrylic inks, according to the Speedball Web site, so try thinning a sample with water. Soap and water cleanup should also be correct, until they dry completely.

 

+1

 

You might want to use distilled water to avoid unwanted things growing in your ink.

 

S.

[rcarlisle]

Thank you for your help! I will put a few drops of water in and try them again.

[sniper910]

i never thought to ask that. i've had that problem with my ink which is why i've been using dr. martins black. thank you!!