Should I mix ink by weight or volume?

Weight is more accurate and reproducible — use a digital scale reading to 0.1 g. Volume measurements work but are less precise due to ink viscosity. Professional print workshops always mix by weight.

How do I match a colour consistently?

Record the exact ratio and brand/type of each ink used. Weigh each component precisely. Mix thoroughly until streak-free. Make a swatch and label it with the recipe. Always mix slightly more than you need.

When should I add white ink?

Add white (transparent or opaque) to lighten a colour. Start with the lighter colour and add the darker gradually. White affects the opacity of the mix — too much white makes colours chalky. For tints, start at 10-20% white.

How much ink should I mix for an edition?

Calculate the ink needed using the Ink Coverage Calculator, then add 30% for mixing waste and test prints. Always mix enough for the entire edition plus proofs in one batch — matching mixed colours later is very difficult.

Can I mix different brands of ink?

Mix within the same ink type (oil-based with oil-based, water-based with water-based). Different brands of the same type usually mix well, but test first. Never mix oil-based and water-based inks.

ArtCalcs

Ink Mixing Calculator — Custom Print Colour Ratios

Work out ink mixing ratios by weight or volume for custom print colours.

Total Amount

Total ink to mix for the batch — include ~30% extra for proofs and edition matching.

Measure By

Colour 1

Parts of your dominant (usually lighter) colour — weigh this out first.

Colour 2

Parts of the secondary colour — add the darker ink gradually to control the shade.

White (optional)

Parts of white to lighten the mix (leave 0 for a pure two-colour blend). Try 10–20% for a soft tint.

How We Calculate This

How Ink Mixing Calculation Works

Amount = Total × (Parts of one colour ÷ Sum of all parts)

Enter the proportion (in parts) of each colour component. The calculator normalises those parts against your total amount and gives the exact weight or volume to weigh out for each component, plus a simplified whole-number ratio you can record and reuse. Mixing by weight to 0.1 g gives the most reproducible colour match across an edition.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Always verify quantities before purchasing materials.