Digital BW, The Print

Nij, 

The process you outline below may be the manufacturing process for "ordinary" carbon inks, but I understand that Jon Cone has a different (secret) source that involves: 

1.  It is only produced by a small "distillery" that has been a family business since 1725

2.  This ink distillery is located on one of the islands that dot the coast of Scotland...no one knows which island which adds to the secret and special character.  The island is so remote that the ancient Scottish dialect (celtish) is used and is not understood "off island."  

3. They only use natural artesian spring water and only produce the ink on months with an "R"

4.  The distillery uses local peat for heating...this is important as the peat imparts a certain "atmosphere" to the ink as the peat burns...this gives the carbon ink a certain "smokiness" that is lovely on the print.  In addition the distillery is sited very close to the sea and has a open area where the open vats of fresh ink cool.  During this cooling period, the ink absorbs some of the salt air and characteristic seaweed aromas from the rocky shore.  This aroma gives the ink another complex note in the nose and some say the bouquet of the ink is "delightfully complex with hints of hazelnuts."  Go ahead and smell an ink sample and I am sure you will also get the "fresh roasted hazelnut" aroma. Lovely aroma and bouquet.

5.  The ink is carefully crafted one barrel at a time by master ink makers who pass the position down from father to son generation after generation...since 1725

6.  The ink barrels are imported from the Burgundy and Congnac departments of France where they had previously been used for aging fine liqours.  Each barrel is over 12 years old and hand crafted of the finest old growth white oak, imported from Canada and US...where the trees can still be found. 

7. The ink is aged in these oak barrels for a secret amount of time..  We don't know how long but it does impart another subtle character to the inks.  

8.  After aging, the ink is carefully decanted for the master ink maker to test.  This is a very critical test that involves his nose and years of experience.  I am told that the master ink Maker actually takes a small sip of the ink and swirls it around his mouth to test the "palette" of the ink.  This test involves more than a piece of hardware...it involves the sense of taste and years of experience.  By the way Master Ink Makers are known as "the black lipped ones" in the local markets and it is a badge of honor in the local community.  

9.  If the Maker approves, the ink is decanted in small batches to small nalgene bottles for shipment around the world...where it is eagerly awaited by fine art printmakers...who treat it like "black gold."   I am told these fine art print makers typically open the small bottles of the precious stuff and smell the bouquet before using it and always look to see the small batch number and vintage.  

10.  I hope you enjoyed this little "virtual tour" of the ink process, but remember that this is just the story as told to me...no one knows for sure...all we can be sure of is the high quality.  

(wINK)

Best regards, 
Steadman
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Nij 
  To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Friday, October 19, 2001 6:31 AM
  Subject: RE: [Digital BW] Indelible Inks


  I thought the procedure for getting carbon pigment(ed) ink was as follows:
    Sharpen 5000 2B pencils to stubs and hopper the shavings (they use the 2B
  to get the blacker carbon, I understand)
    Run the pencil shaving through a special wood shaving extractor, or burn
  in an ashtray;
    They then use a **** multichef to mix the carbon in with the liquid
  carrier and add a bit of dye (dependent upon which ink is being
  manufactured).

  The liquid ink is then piped into the cartridges, and left to stand for two
  hours before sealing (the carts).

  Hope this is helpful to someone ;)

  Nij




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