From the Fountain Pen to Inkjet Printers
In Part 1, we explored the early days of ink, from ancient Chinese soot formulas to Gutenberg’s revolutionary oil-based printing ink. Now, in Part 2, we move into the industrial age and beyond, charting the evolution of printer ink from the rise of the fountain pen and the typewriter and the eventual development of modern inkjet technology, where leading brands like Canon, HP and Epson continue to refine how we print.
Let’s pick up where we left off.
The Rise of Fountain Pens
By the 19th century, ink production had become more standardised, and writing tools had evolved dramatically. One of the most significant innovations was the fountain pen.
These self-contained writing instruments featured internal ink reservoirs, allowing users to write without dipping into an inkwell. This was a game-changer for professionals, writers, and students. Fountain pen ink was typically water-based, with dye or pigment-based colouring agents, making it smooth to write with and easy to refill.
Fountain pens remained popular well into the 20th century, and still enjoy cult popularity today.
Ink Meets Industry: The Typewriter Era
As the industrial age progressed, the demand for faster communication tools gave rise to the typewriter. These machines used ink ribbons rather than liquid ink. The ribbons were coated in pigment or dye-based ink that transferred onto paper when the typebar struck it.
Typewriter ink was durable and economical, allowing for the rapid creation of legible, consistent text. This method dominated office communication until the arrival of personal computers and printers in the late 20th century.
Enter the Inkjet Printer
The fundamental shift towards modern printer ink came with the invention of inkjet printing in the 1970s and 80s. This technology allowed small jets of ink to be sprayed directly onto paper with incredible precision.
Companies like Canon led the way in this space. Canon’s Bubble Jet technology, introduced in 1985, was one of the first commercial inkjet technologies that used a heated element to create an ink bubble, which then ejected a droplet through a nozzle.
This paved the way for home printing, allowing users to produce everything from high-quality photos to everyday documents, without ever stepping into a print shop. This was a turning point in the history of printer ink.
Printing Technology Leaps Forward
Throughout the 1990s, inkjet printers became increasingly popular in households. Hewlett Packard’s popular Deskjet models pioneered affordable printing, and the launch of their colour model in 1994 offered colour printing at a time when most home documents were still monochrome, revolutionising the market.
The early 2000s saw the rise of all-in-one printers that combined printing, scanning, and copying into a single compact device—ideal for home offices.
As technology progressed, so did print quality, speed, and convenience. The 2010s brought a shift towards wireless printing connectivity, allowing users to print from smartphones, tablets, and cloud services.
At the same time, consumers became more environment and cost conscious, leading to the growth of high-yield ink cartridges and the introduction of refillable ink tank systems like Canon’s MegaTank and Epson’s EcoTank. These innovations drastically reduced the cost of printing, cost per page and the frequency of cartridge replacements.
Today, home printing is not only more accessible and versatile than ever before, but also increasingly efficient, eco-friendly, and integrated into the digital lifestyles of modern households.
Final Thoughts
From soot and gum Arabic in ancient scrolls to high-tech Canon inkjet printers, the story of ink has always been one of adaptation and innovation. Whether you’re printing a photo album or a school project, today’s inks are the result of thousands of years of development.
Ready to find affordable ink for your modern day printer? Browse our range of ink cartridges at Stinkyink today, and make your next print job the best yet.
FAQ
Who invented the first ink printer?
The first inkjet printer was developed in the 1950s by researchers at companies like Canon, Epson, and HP-but it wasn’t until the late 1970s and 1980s that inkjet printers became commercially available for everyday use. So, there’s no single inventor, but rather a group of engineers and companies who helped bring the technology to life.
Were animal products used to make ink?
Yes, historically, some inks were made using animal products. For example, early inks often included ingredients like bone char, gelatine, or even shellac (a resin from insects). Today, most modern ink cartridges are synthetic and do not contain animal-derived ingredients-but if you're looking for vegan-friendly ink, it’s always a good idea to check with the manufacturer.
Do we get ink from squids?
Not anymore! While squid ink is indeed real and still used in cooking and art, it’s not used in the ink for printers. Printer ink is made with synthetic dyes or pigments combined with water and other chemicals to help it flow smoothly and dry quickly on paper.
Why is black ink the default?
Black ink is the most commonly used because it’s easy to read, uses less ink than colour for text, and provides strong contrast on white paper. It’s also generally more cost-effective for everyday printing. That’s why most printers default to black ink unless colour is specifically needed.
