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Gamblin Professional Grade Etching Inks

Gamblin Etching Inks are made with the same respect for traditional materials that have made Gamblin Artist’s Oil Colors the choice for many of America’s finest painters.  Artist quality printing inks and artist grade oil colors share many characteristics, such as strong pigmentation, highest quality binders, and no added ingredients that may denigrate the longevity of the materials.

Robert Gamblin first formulated six black inks and graphite to meet the demands of American printmakers who want deep rich black inks with good working characteristics.  His two proprietary formulae are Portland Black and Portland Cool Black.  Portland Black will give strong line and medium plate tone.  This ink is the choice for those doing edition printing, and those working in schools who need an ink for general printing techniques.  Portland Cool Black is neutral in color with the same working properties as Portland Black.  For engravers, printers of mezzotints, or others who need more resistance from their ink, Gamblin offers Portland Black in a stiffer formula.

At the request of printmakers Gamblin turned his attention to making color inks.  Painters who also make mono-prints asked him for a color range similar to artists’ oil colors so they could use their color mixing skills with inks as well as oil colors.

After printing a wide range of inks made from both mineral (inorganic) pigments and modern (organic) pigments, he discovered that the inks made from modern pigments print with greatest intensity and purity.  Modern pigments are generally more transparent and brighter than mineral pigments.  Gamblin Etching Inks are all made from pure lightfast pigments so that printmakers, like painters can finally have confidence that their colors will not change or fade over time.

See all Gamblin art supplies available from our online art supply store.