Black ink is a staple in art and writing. But black ink doesn’t come from a single pigment. Instead, it’s created by combining other colors of ink together. So what colors make black when blended? Let’s take a look at the most common combinations used to make rich, black ink.
Primary Color Combinations
The simplest way to make black is by mixing together the three primary colors: red, yellow, and blue. When blended equally, these colors cancel each other out and create a dark, neutral black.
Here’s a closer look at how these primary colors mix together to form black ink:
| Color 1 | Color 2 | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Red | Yellow | Orange |
| Yellow | Blue | Green |
| Blue | Red | Purple |
| Red | Yellow | Orange |
| Orange | Blue | Black |
| Green | Purple | Black |
As you can see, mixing primary colors together in different combinations will initially yield secondary colors like orange, green, and purple. But mixing all three primaries together, or mixing the three secondary colors, results in a neutral black.
Complementary Colors
Another simple color combination for making black ink is to mix complementary colors. Complementary colors sit opposite each other on the color wheel and create a striking visual contrast. But when blended together equally, they cancel each other out to produce a black or grey tone.
Here are some examples of complementary color pairs that can make black ink:
- Red & Green
- Yellow & Purple
- Blue & Orange
A split complementary scheme also works well. This involves one color and the two colors adjacent to its complement. For example: red, yellow-green, and blue-green.
Tertiary Color Mixing
Beyond primary and complementary colors, various tertiary color combinations can also produce black ink.
Tertiary colors are made by mixing a primary color with a secondary color, like red-orange or yellow-green. When selected carefully and mixed together, these subtle tertiary colors can neutralize into a dark black tone.
Here are some tertiary color combinations that make black:
- Red-orange, Yellow-green, Blue-violet
- Red-violet, Yellow-orange, Blue-green
- Red-violet, Blue-violet, Green
The general rule is to mix colors from around the color wheel that are spaced far apart. This creates color discord and cancellation that results in black.
Shades of Gray
It’s also possible to mix colors in unequal ratios to produce dark shades of grey rather than a solid black. Adding more volume of one color over another pushes the mix away from a neutral black towards a specific tone of grey.
Some examples of color ratios that create grey shades include:
- 2 parts red + 1 part green = Dark charcoal grey
- 2 parts purple + 1 part yellow = Dark blue-grey
- 3 parts blue + 1 part orange = Dark green-grey
By adjusting the proportions of the colors, you can create greys with subtle warm, cool, or green undertones.
Traditional Black Pigments
While combining ink colors is one way to create black, traditional black pigments and dyes also exist. Before synthetic pigments were invented, all black inks were produced from natural substances.
Some traditional black pigments include:
- Carbon black – Soot or charcoal powder
- Lamp black – Soot from burning oils or resins
- Ivory black – Charred ivory or animal bones
On paper, these pigments produce a warm, neutral black. But they can also mix with other colors, lightening or cooling their tone.
A traditional black dye is iron gall ink. This is made from iron salts mixed with tannic acids from vegetable sources. It has a cool, dark violet-black appearance when first applied, turning more greyish brown over time.
Modern Black Pigments
Today, most black ink is produced using modern synthetic black pigments. These carbon-based pigments offer deep, neutral blacks perfect for art, design, and printing.
Some examples of modern black pigments include:
- Carbon black – Soot or oil particles suspended in ink
- Bone black – Burnt animal bones
- Mars black – Synthetic iron oxide
These black pigments produce extremely dense, opaque blacks. They mix well with other colors without diluting their strength.
Rich Black Mixing
For the richest black color possible, printers often mix concentrated black ink with cyan, magenta, and yellow inks. This helps counteract the natural deficiencies found in single pigment blacks.
Here’s an example of a rich black ink mixing formula:
- 100% Black ink
- 50% Cyan ink
- 40% Magenta ink
- 40% Yellow ink
The high ratio of black ink provides opacity and density. The supporting CMY inks add depth, neutralize undertones, and combat inconsistencies in the black ink.
This allows the mixed black to achieve truer black tones across all types of printing papers.
Black Ink Mixing Techniques
No matter what colors you use to produce black ink, the mixing technique is important for achieving a smooth, uniform tone.
Here are some tips for mixing colors to make black ink:
- Combine smaller amounts of very concentrated colors for opacity
- Mix colors thoroughly to avoid streaks
- Add a binding agent like glue or gum Arabic to improve flow
- Test swatches first to match the desired black tone
- Adjust the recipe if the mix looks uneven or transparent
Taking the time to blend colors carefully will result in better quality black for your artwork and writing needs.
Ink Mixing Safety Tips
When blending your own ink colors, there are some safety precautions to keep in mind:
- Work in a well-ventilated area
- Wear gloves and eye protection
- Use high-quality, lightfast pigments
- Label each mixed ink with its formula
- Store ink mixtures away from direct light
- Clean up spills right away to avoid stains
Observing basic studio safety practices will allow you to experiment with mixing inks safely.
Conclusion
Black ink has a fascinating science behind it. While black pigment exists, mixing together color combinations is also an effective way to produce rich black tones. Complementary colors, primary colors, tertiary colors, and printer color mixes can all yield deep neutral blacks when blended correctly.
Understanding ink mixing techniques allows artists, crafters, and printers to create custom blacks for their specific needs. So explore the possibilities and mix up some striking black ink today!
