Ink has evolved significantly over thousands of years, from early cave paintings using carbon-based lamp black ink, to modern inkjet printer inks. Ancient Chinese and Egyptians first developed lamp black ink in around 2000 BC by burning tar and oil and mixing it with gum or glue. By the 8th century, inks began using chemical precipitation and iron salts mixed with tannic acid. Johannes Gutenberg further advanced ink technology in the 15th century by developing the first printing press and an oil-based ink that better adhered to metal. Modern inkjet printer inks employ sophisticated formulations that dry quickly, resist fading, spread evenly, and avoid clogging printer nozzles.

1. Step
1
• Some of the oldest cave paintings incorporating ink date back 40,000 years to the
ancient caves of Sulawesi (Indonesia) and El Castillo (Spain).
France’s Chauvet Cave, one
of the most famous
prehistoric rock art sites in the
world.

2. Step
2
• Ancient Chinese and Egyptians burnt tar with vegetable oil to create a carbon-
based ink – called lamp black - which was suspended in gum to adhere to the
desired surface.
Indian ink was developed
using lamp black, carbon
black and charred bones,
which were mixed with glue to
create a block that could be
liquefied when needed.

3. Step
3
• Round about the 8th century, inks began to use chemical precipitation. The
earliest of its kind was based on iron salt and tannic acid bound by resin.
This ink was used with quill pen
and parchment that you may
have seen in many historical
movies.

4. Step
4
• China spearheaded woodblock printing in 2nd century AD. But it was a laborious
process that had to be done perfectly to ensure usable blocks.
In 1040 AD, Chinese inventor
Bi Sheng devised movable-
type printing using wood and
ceramic materials, and later,
bronze.

5. Step
5
• Between 1436 and 1450, German goldsmith Johannes Gutenberg developed the
world’s first printing press and formulated an oil-based ink that more easily
adhered to metal.
The carbon-based ink also
consisted of lead, copper
and titanium.

6. Step
6
• After the typewriter was invented, printing started being used extensively for
business communications.
This necessitated
further development
in ink.
Manufacturers started
experimenting with
different formulations and
techniques.

7. Step
7
• The laser printer adopted a different route, using an electrostatic system
comprising a combination of carbon powder mixed with sugar and iron oxide,
to transfer the ink.
The 70s marked the
emergence of inkjet printers
by Canon, Epson and
Hewlett-Packard. Dye
sublimation, UV-curable,
aqueous and solvent inks
were sprayed onto paper,
guided by magnetized plates.

8. Step
8
• Modern inkjet printer inks employ sophisticated mechanisms that dry quickly, resist
fading, spread evenly and don’t cause the printer nozzle to clog.
Some use water-based dye
inks while others are
pigmented.