Ink Blend Evaluation Forms

[dcwaites]

In this post, I promised to put up an Ink Evaluation Form.

It performs the functions of -

• recording your recipe
• showing people what it looks like and how it behaves
• if appropriate, comparing your blend to the ink you are trying to replicate

 

I have attached versions in A4 and US Letter, as PDF files. The A4 is the original and the US Letter is that form slightly squished to fit US Letter paper.

 

If anyone wants the original Libreoffice Drawing file to make a native US Letter version, pm me and I will send it to you. You will also need Libreoffice (Mac, Windows or Linux) which is a free download.

 

Moderators, is there any chance of pinning this if there is any interest, so it doesn't get lost?

 

 

 

 

Edited December 14, 2015 by dcwaites

[Chrissy]

Thank you for this. I have downloaded it and it will come in very useful.

 

IMHO, I need a bit more room for the ink names in the components list, so I'm going to adjust those lines a little.

[migo984]

Don't agree with the comment about rethinking mix if number of components is more than 4. I often use more than 4 components in a recipe to match complex inks, especially if I'm using basic dyes, or CMYK primary and secondary blends. If it's to achieve a colour match only, using ready made, branded inks then it is a simpler process and fewer components may do, but these often don't replicate all the characteristics I'm looking for. For example, the latest version of my mix to match Sweet Potato Purple uses 6 components; I can't get both the purple-brown balance and the green-gold sheen with fewer. Of course, others may be more proficient than me.

[dcwaites]

Thank you both.

I will be taking comments on board and updating the form as appropriate.

[Chrissy]

I really don't mind about extra lines for additional components. I think 4 is going to work for most inks that people want to mix.

 

Ink makers don't normally use so many dyes to make each ink. It would make their inks difficult to reproduce and far too expensive if they used more than 4 dyes to make every ink blend. In the same way, if people want to try to reproduce an ink, they probably wouldn't want to have to buy more than 4 bottles in order to do so.

 

I've chroma tested so many inks, I have boxes full of strips, showing their individual dyes. To reproduce an ink, 4 ink components will usually be plenty. You can find many inks matching the dye mixes you need, ready to use.

[Ted A]

Might I suggest taking the whole width of the form for the components section. That would give more room to write the component name. I doubt there would be any confusion since one would seldom know the components of the original

[amberleadavis]

Thank you for creating this form!

[dcwaites]

OK, here are the two forms, Version 2, in PDF form.

I have taken on board people's comments and amended accordingly. I have left the blank space for people to use as they wish.

Both are now native in their respective formats (A4 and US Letter)

Ink Blend Evaluation Form A4 V2.pdf

Ink Blend Evaluation Form USL V2.pdf