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Copper-Plate Printers' Ink

Ink for the rolling-press is made of linseed-oil, burnt just as for common printing-ink, and is then mixed with Frankfort black, finely ground. There are no certain proportions, every workman adding oil or black to suit. Good ink depends most on burned. Test it occasionally by cooling a drop the purity of the oil, and on its being thoroughly on the inside of an oyster-shell; feel it between threads, it is burnt enough. Weak oil well the thumb and finger, and if it draws out into burned and charged with as much black as it charged with black is called stiff ink. Oil fully will take in, is termed strong ink. The character of the engraving to be printed determines which pentine. is suitable. It is cleaned out with spirits of tur- Another Method.

Instead of Frankfort, or other kinds of black commonly used, the following composition may be substituted, and will form a much deeper and more beautiful black than can be obtained by any other method. Take of the deepest Prussian blue, 5 parts, and of the deepest colored lake and brown pink, each 1 part, Grind them well with oil of turpentine, and afterwards with the strong and weak oils in the manner and proportion above directed. The colors need not be bright for this kind, and perfectly transparent in oil, as the whole purpose, but they should be the deepest of the effect depends on that quality.