There is a lot more to ink than meets the eye. With so many types, colours and uses for ink it’s not surprising that it is a vast and complicated subject. An ink chemist is someone who specialises in the science of, and complexity behind, all varieties of ink. Ink is important within many different industries so it is as important that there are people who understand the properties and workings of this versatile substance.
Ink chemistry
The modern formulation of ink has been in development for thousands of years. There are inks in existence which date back almost five thousand years. Not only do they allow us to learn a lot about ancient civilisation, the people and their lifestyles, they also allow us to learn a lot about inks. Ancient inks were made up of burnt bones, tar, tree bark and natural dyes found in plants: modern ink is much more complex and sophisticated than this. While ancient developers initiated the creation of ink chemistry, modern day ink chemists are able to create a wide variety and range of ink products.
Ink chemists
Ink chemists are employed within many different industrial sectors. It is the job of the ink chemist to formulate new inks, develop existing ones and test various ink products. An ink chemist is vital to many industries as it is important that ink is safe to use and distribute amongst customers and consumers. An ink chemist is a scientist with a specific area of interest: the compilation and development of inks. As printing companies become more popular, and printing techniques become more advanced, the importance of ink chemists increases. Ink is vital to an increasing number of industries and individuals with the rise of computer-based communication. With the amount of offices and printing companies rising, the knowledge surrounding ink is becoming more and more important. An ink chemist is employed to deal with day to day ink related issues as well as the more scientific composition of the inks themselves.