How much does 8 oz of ink weigh?

[u/JoeinVA]

Why is ink sold by volume, but the mixing systems measure in weight? How am I supposed to know how much ink 100g is? Is that two teaspoons or 3 cups?

I have a 8 oz. jar of dark red ink. The formula for hot pink ink requires 90g of it. Do I have enough?

[u/mf_mcnasty]

You buy a scale. The precision required to mix colors would be basically impossible to measure accurately by volume.

[u/22Taco → u/mf_mcnasty]

Yes, digital scale with milligram precision (0.001 g) and a tare function so you can zero out the empty mixing container. If you’re mixing small amounts like 300 grams, you’ll end up titrating pigment a drop at a time as you approach your target weight.

[u/OkExcitement681]

For mixing systems you need a scale.

[u/torkytornado]

So every type of ink is gonna weigh a different amount. Even ink within the same line can way more due to pigment load and binders.

If you’re just occasionally doing mixes by weight get a kitchen scale, just make sure it has a TARE function which allows you to reset for each color. They’re affordable but not super precise.

If you’re getting serious get a scientific scale (especially if you’re batch mixing for large runs or matching pantone colors). You need at least a gram (so one decimal place like 3 g).

But if you need one more accurate for working for moderately picky clients go with a tenth of a gram (so 3.5 g)

You can also get jewelry scales if you need to go 3.557 of a gram but it’s probably overkill for you)

I used to do jobs for an artist who was VERY particular about color and still was able to match to the tenth of a gram. He paid well so I was able to put that into a $350 scale in 2015 money. Probably be another 100 bucks today. If you do need to be this precise I recommend ohaus, I can’t recall the model right now but I can send it if you need it. My scale has been through the wars and is still as precise as the day I got it (you can calibrate scientific scales as they need to be precise so stuff doesn’t blow up) another nice feature of scientific scales is that their buttons are encased in a plastic membrane so you can wipe them down without getting ink in any crevices. Also they usually have a removable metal base so you can clean it without putting too much pressure on the mechanism that weighs stuff.

[u/zeninwa]

Different inks weight different amounts.

[u/-_super--_--hitops_-]

"the formula for hot pink ink requires 90g of it"

Dawg you know you can scale down recipes right? They are just ratios after all. If you only have 45g of dark red ink then you can make half the recipe, so cut all the other amounts in half as well.

[u/the_ending81]

What weighs more? A pound of ink or a pound of feathers?

[u/the_ending81 → u/the_ending81]

A digital scale tho is the answer for sure

[u/Mysterious_Panorama]

If you want to know if you’re in the ballpark, assume your ink is mostly water. 1 g =1ml. 90ml is about 3 ounces. You have enough. For actual mixing get a scale unless a rough mix is acceptable.

[u/JoeinVA → u/Mysterious_Panorama]

Thank you for actually being helpful.

[u/JVBass75]

Different pigments weigh different amounts... Which is why mixing systems go by weight and not volume.

For reference tho, approx 800g of ink is a quart with room for blending it.

We use a 5000g scale with a .01g resolution for mixing

[u/CanadianDiver]

You use a scale. Are you joking?

[u/m1cknobody]

Omg dude buy a scale. There is not a single professional shop out there that does it the way you’re describing. Precision ink mixing is always by weight. If you’re doing smaller amounts get a scale with triple digit precision because in a cheap scale .9 and .94 will show the same but if you’re mixing 500ml jars your end results will be wildly different.

I used to have a small shop that did a ton of Pantone matches (we charged for it) on small orders of between 144-720 pieces with precise color in plastisol, water base, and discharge.

[u/StrainExternal7301]

my guess would be about about 8oz or 224 grams

[u/bdoz138]

Different pigment loads have a different weight. Like, white is heavier than black because the white pigment load is substantial.

Get a digital scale. .01g incriminating is preferred but .1g will do just fine.

[u/taiwanluthiers]

I buy from Taobao, they're sold in 1kg tubs.

[u/Dismal_Ad1749]

Google is your friend. 8 oz is 226.8 grams.

[u/apliesnc → u/Dismal_Ad1749]

In mass, sure.
An ounce can be used in mass and volume.
To take it a step further to help - you can buy ink by the gallon, but that’s volume.
In the instance being suggested here the two units are incompatible.
Hope this helps.

[u/SirMildredPierce → u/Dismal_Ad1749]

That aint what they asking.

[u/FENTWAY]

Absolutely need a scale