Editing Ink (section)

{{short description|Liquid or paste that contains pigments or dyes}}
{{Other uses}}
[[File:Füller-tinte hg.jpg|thumb|Bottles of ink from [[Germany]]]]
[[File:קלף, נוצה ודיו.jpg|thumb|Writing ink and a quill]]
'''Ink''' is a [[gel]], [[Sol (colloid)|sol]], or [[Solution (chemistry)|solution]] that contains at least one [[colorant]], such as a [[dye]] or [[pigment]], and is used to color a surface to produce an [[image]], [[writing|text]], or [[design]]. Ink is used for [[drawing]] or [[writing]] with a [[pen]], [[brush]], [[reed pen]], or [[quill]]. Thicker inks, in paste form, are used extensively in [[letterpress]] and [[lithographic]] [[printing]].

Ink can be a complex medium, composed of [[solvent]]s, pigments, [[dye]]s, [[resin]]s, [[lubricant]]s, [[solubilizer]]s, [[surfactant]]s, [[Suspended solids|particulate matter]], [[Fluorescence|fluorescents]], and other materials. The components of inks serve many purposes; the ink's carrier, colorants, and other additives affect the flow and thickness of the ink and its dry appearance.