Gamblin Etching Inks were formulated at the request of professional printmakers in the Pacific Northwest who wanted strong reliable inks for edition printing. The palette of pure intense pigments offers a broad range of color mixing potential.
Five black inks and Graphite were formulated to meet the demands of printmakers who want deep rich black inks with good working characteristics. Portland Black and Portland Cool Black are ideal for edition printing; both offer a strong line and medium plate tone. For engravers, printers of mezzotints, or others who need more resistance from their ink, Portland Stiff Black is also available. To read more about selecting the Black ink most suited to your printmaking process, read our latest newsletter here.
Gamblin Etching Inks are all bound in the highest quality Burnt Plate Oil.
BLACK INK Matching Your Ink to Your Technique
Black Inks
| Color | Temperature | Wiping | Plate Tone | Recommended Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland Black PBk9, PB29 | Neutral | Easy | Moderate | Highly recommended for etching, drypoint, aquatint, mezzotint and engraving processes. |
| Portland Cool Black PBk7, PBk9, PB29 | Cool | Easy | Moderate | Highly recommended for etching, drypoint, aquatint, mezzotint and engraving processes. |
| Portland Stiff Black PBk9, Pbk29 | Neutral | Moderate | Moderate | Recommended for etching, drypoint, aquatint. Highly recommended for mezzotint and engraving. |
| Bone Black PBk9 | Warm | Easy | Light | Highly recommended for etching, drypoint, aquatint, mezzotint and engraving processes. |
| Carbon Black PBk9 | Warm | Hard | Heavy | Needs additives to work well for etching, drypoint, aquatinit, mezzotinit and engraving processes. |
| Graphite Natural Graphite | Gray | Easy | Heavy | Recommended for etching, drypoint, aquatint, mezzotint. Needs additives for engraving. |