Great short film by the Printing Ink Company showing how ink is made out of raw ingredients such as varnish and powder, with care and craftsmanship. Via Gizmodo:
The video, produced by Toronto-based Vepo Studios, features the facilities of The Printing Ink Company. There, the president and head inkmaker, Peter Welfare, shows us just how they make their incredible printing inks.
The four pigments—Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black (CMYK)—start out as a simple powder. To get the right consistency, the pigments are combined with a honey-like substance called the “vehicle.” Only after further cooking, milling, mixing, and a thorough testing process can the ink be considered a finalized product.
Watching this video, you can’t help but be moved by the wonder of it all. You want to reach out as the ink gets pulled and kneaded like a soft taffy, or maybe even mix a color of your own creation. Most of all, you can’t help but appreciate the striking elegance of pure color.
The Printing Ink Company is based in Canada, a family owned business that was founded in 1973 by William Welfare. Originally a small company with only three employees in a space of 250 square feet, it has since grown into a 24,500 square feet business with 19 employees.