hpn <hpn737@...> wrote:
I have bought in 'inksupplycom' the black carbon ink but I didn't know they had thewater glycerol solution to dilute.Can I make it myself with only destilated water and glycero? Where do I best buythe glycerol or do I need 99% pure or is the drugstore also ok?
The MIS generic bases are so cheap, I'm not sure it's worth starting from scratch yourself unless you do a large volume. If you are going to use or make the generic base, use the C6B version unless you are going to print on Arches uncoated watercolor paper with a 1.5 pl printer. Then go to the C6C, which also does fine on inkjet papers.
Dilution base is more than just water and glycerol. The surfactants are critical -- a huge part of the game and where the OEMs use proprietary formulas they are not about to share with us. The OEM products also have biocides in them and use a rather toxic form of glycol. My blends were designed to use safer materials and surfactants that were readily available. The quality of the water appears to also be a factor. Some distilled water is apparently not very pure or has a pH that may be too acidic. If the water sits around for a long time it can absorb carbon dioxide and turn acidic. MIS uses buffered water, I believe. (I did not find it necessary with the distilled water I buy from the local supermarket.)
For the glycerol, I use 99.7% pure from a science supply house. I think I have a link in the ink mixing PDF. Low quality glycerol has also been an apparent issue for a few people. See http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/Ink-Mixing.pdf
Good luck.
Paul