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- Fun
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- EducationalHistoricalWork
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- United States
- Date change rule:
- Closest Tuesday to January 16
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- 🖊️
Printing Ink Day arrives annually on the closest Tuesday to January 16, inviting us to appreciate the colorful liquid that powers our written world. Explore the fascinating history of ink, from ancient pigments to modern formulations, and discover its diverse applications. Learn how ink shapes communication, art, and technology, and find creative ways to celebrate its enduring legacy.
Want to sponsor Printing Ink Day? Learn how
Expected Printing Ink Day Deals
While we await official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that retailers specializing in art supplies and office products often mark Printing Ink Day with special offers. Look for discounts on printer cartridges from brands like HP, Epson, and Canon, as well as art inks from Winsor & Newton and Speedball. Craft stores such as Michaels and JOANN may feature sales on stamping inks and calligraphy sets. Expect online retailers like Amazon and Staples to highlight deals on various ink products. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as January 19 approaches.
Platform Guide for Printing Ink Day
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #PrintingInkDay. Share visually appealing photos of colorful inks, calligraphy, or printed art projects.
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #PrintingInkDay. Film short videos showcasing the ink-making process, cool printing hacks, or satisfying calligraphy ASMR.
X/Twitter
Mention @NatlToday and use #PrintingInkDay. Share interesting facts about ink history, new printing technologies, or your favorite printed works.
Printing Ink Day Hero
Johannes Gutenberg
History of Printing Ink Day
Ink has been around for a long time. The first man-made ink was most likely developed in Egypt about 4,500 years ago. It was formulated by mixing carbon suspensions in water with additives like egg albumen and natural gums to hold it together. Later on, in 2500 B.C. the Chinese and Egyptians simultaneously developed inks made from similar materials, soot derived from wood smoke and animal fat, and condensed with a substance from animal skin called gelatin. Soot is a dark pigment, hence why most writings found from that time were black. They would use an adhesive gum material to mold them into rods which were eventually dried and stored. Upon use, they would take the rod and dilute it in water to activate it before application.
Around 400 B.C., Indians developed their ink called Masi, it was made from burnt bones, tar, and pitch, and like our modern-day pens, a needle was used to apply the ink to parchments. Following them, the Romans created a new type of ink with the use of ground irons and tannin from gallnuts, which formed the basis for inks through the coming centuries. In 1440, the mechanical printing press was invented by Johannes Gutenberg, but it had a unique problem. Existing ink did not absorb fast enough into the paper and inconveniently smudged as the press moved. To find a solution to this problem Gutenberg came up with the first oil-based ink made from turpentine, walnut oil, and soot. This singular contribution to the print world earned him the title “Father of Print.”
In 1772, the first patent was issued in England for making colored ink and as the millennia advanced, new print technology developed. In the 1970s, there was an oil crisis and printers started looking for an alternative to petroleum-based inks. Such as water, soy, and vegetable-based ink which are more sustainable and friendlier to our environment.
Printing Ink Day timeline
The Egyptians and Chinese develop ink made from soot, animal fat, and gelatine.
Johannes Gutenberg invents the first mechanical moving type press also known as the Printing press.
William Henry Perkin discovers the first type of synthetic dye when he tried to find a cure for malaria.
Printing Ink Day is first observed on the closest Tuesday to January 16.
How Businesses Can Celebrate Printing Ink Day
Local print shops and art supply stores can celebrate Printing Ink Day by hosting open house events, offering workshops on calligraphy or screen printing, or providing discounts on ink products. Coffee shops might feature special menu items with printed latte art, while bookstores could highlight books on the history of printing. Businesses can also run social media campaigns showcasing the importance of ink in their branding and communications, encouraging customers to share their favorite printed materials.
Printing Ink Day FAQs
When is Printing Ink Day?
Printing Ink Day 2027 is celebrated on Tuesday, January 19. It’s a perfect opportunity to delve into the fascinating world of ink and its historical significance.
How much is spent on printing ink annually?
Estimates suggest the global printing ink market continues to grow, with annual revenues approaching $20 billion. This robust market underscores ink’s enduring importance in industrial and consumer applications.
What are the main types of printing ink?
The diverse world of printing ink includes common types such as offset, flexographic, gravure, and digital inks, each designed for different printing methods. These variations ensure optimal performance whether printing on paper, plastic, or metal.
Who invented printing ink?
The concept of ink dates back to ancient civilizations, but the specialized ink for mass printing was perfected by Gutenberg. His durable, quick-drying ink was a technological breakthrough that enabled the widespread dissemination of printed materials.
How to Celebrate Printing Ink Day
Read and learn more
You can take out some time today to read and learn more about the history of printers and ink. There’s a ton of information that I'm sure you're bound to find out.
Look out for coupons
If you work in an office-type setting or make use of a printer occasionally, today is a good day for you to take advantage of some good printing ink coupons.
Refill your printer Ink
Like most of our everyday and mundane tasks, we often forget to refill our printer ink. So take out some time today to give your ink friend some extra care and maintenance.
5 Important Facts About Printing
The first printing press
There are recent findings that show that the first movable printing press was created in China, about 200 years earlier than Gutenberg’s invention.
The fastest printer in the world
The fastest office printer in the world is currently the HP OfficeJet Pro X, it printed 500 sheets of paper in seven minutes and 18 seconds.
Printing facilitated the renaissance
Without the printing press, it may have been near impossible for artists to share ideas and designs through books and parchments.
Hulk’s green color was a printing mistake
Stan Lee initially wanted the hulk to be grey but during the printing of the series, each copy resulted in different shades of green.
The most printed book in the world
The “Bible” has over five billion copies sold and distributed in over two thousand languages.
Why We Love Printing Ink Day
It is revolutionary
The creation of printing has been a monumental discovery, to say the least, without printing, we wouldn't have books, we wouldn't read the news, we wouldn't have movies, or be able to learn or fill forms to travel. This breakthrough has opened doors for the fast distribution of information.
It encourages research
As the years progress, so does the need for new ink and print solutions. The future holds so many possibilities and this day encourages research in print technology and production.
It is a mini-history lesson
You have to agree that many of us are oblivious to the interesting stories behind many of our everyday items and tools. This day is a wonderful excuse for us to visit our history books and learn a little more about how far our inks have come.
Printing Ink Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | January 14 | Tuesday |
| 2026 | January 13 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | January 19 | Tuesday |
| 2028 | January 18 | Tuesday |
| 2029 | January 16 | Tuesday |
Social Media Tips for Printing Ink Day
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