FAQ

Is your ink waterproof?

Yes, all our ink is waterproof except the Classic Glossy Black Ink Powder.

Is Ziller ink good for airbrush?

Yes, our ink was tested successfully for airbrushing. Some colors need to be diluted with distilled water. 

My ink is dry what should I do?

We have dedicated an article to this topic; please visit our blog here.

What type of materials can your ink be use on?

We have tested a large amount of materials: paper, metal, glass, wood, fabric, canvas, leather, plastic, leaves, seashells, bananas, etc. Some materials require a special technique for best results. We recommend to always test the material and technique before starting your project. 

What do you use thickener for?

Depending on the type of work you do, you might want to use a thickener. Ziller’s Thickener is fully compatible with all our inks. Thickener is also a great way to increase the viscosity of your ink if you accidentally add too much distilled water. If you want to lighten the color of a dark ink like Wild Viola Violet, put some of the ink into a separate container and add distilled water until it is a lighter shade. Then add thickener to make it the right consistency to letter with. 

Is your ink vegan?

Yes, we use high quality pigments and our entire line of ink is vegan. 

Is your ink archivable?

Yes. Our ink has been tested by an independent lab using a 7500-watt UV light chamber. In this type of test, no change after 24 hours is considered archival. We tested the exposure for three times that length, and after 72 hours of exposure the test strips showed no signs of fading. We have pieces of art in our studio using our ink that date back to the 1890’s and still show no signs of fading. 

Why does the ink separate?

The pigments are heavier than the liquid base, so after a while the heavier pigments will settle at the bottom. We recommend stirring your ink when this occurs. We don’t recommend shaking the ink as this will result in foam that takes some time to settle. 

What causes the ink to crack?  

A higher ratio of pigment with not enough liquid could cause this issue, such as when liquids in the ink have evaporated too much.  We recommend adding distilled water if this is the case. Stirring the ink well before use will prevent other problems you can encounter. Layering too much ink or creating ink blobs may also cause the ink crack.  

Is your ink toxic?

No, our ink conforms to all non-toxic labeling requirements. Additionally, our inks have been thoroughly tested and were found to not contain heavy metals. Our inks conform to the ASTM D-4236 and EN-71.3 standards.  

My work just smeared after letting it dry for a long time why?

Paper and other materials are made differently, and some will not absorb liquid easily. Testing the paper or material before starting a lengthy project is preferable but easier said than done. Spraying paper with a fixative spray before starting will help. Make sure you spray in a well-ventilated room or outside preferably. Let the spray dry. You can also use distilled water in the ink and make it thinner to help. Fixative spray can also be applied after completion of your project to protect your work.  

Should I use gum of Arabic?

No, we do not recommend using gum of Arabic, as it is not compatible with acrylic inks in general and will cause the ink to become gelatinous. 

Is your ink flammable?

No, our ink is non-flammable.

Does your ink expire? 

Our recommended shelf life is 5 years, but we have seen our ink kept much longer, even up to 15 years. The main issue with older ink is evaporation. If this occurs, add distilled water periodically to the ink to keep it the correct consistency. 

Does your ink contain any acids? 

No, our ink is acid free. 

Can your ink be use for fountain pens? 

Due to the high level of pigments, most of our inks would not flow using a fountain pen system. With the number of fountain pen brands available, it is difficult to say if all pens can or can’t work with our ink. We recommend checking with the pen manufacturer for more details. 

Why is the ink not staying on the nib and flowing through? 

This is typically caused by oil on the nib during the fabrication; just clean the nib well and this should solve the issue. 

Will all the inks work on black paper? 

No, Ziller Inks will not show up on all types of black paper. Some types of black paper will absorb the color while other types of black paper will work very well with the same ink. Always test the color and paper before using them together. 

Can Ziller Inks be mixed together? 

All of the liquid Ziller inks can be mixed together to create new colors. For example, the Azure Blue and Flamingo Pink create many beautiful shades of purple. The Buffalo Brown can be made darker with the addition of Ziller Soot Black. Many shades of gray can be created using Ziller North Wind White and Ziller Soot Black. The Ziller Classic Glossy Black Powder Ink can NOT be mixed with any of the other inks. 

what are the best nibs for writing on most papers but offer a ultra fine point but soft to allow wider strokes?

We recommend the Zebra nib, it works on most paper and on large or small lettering.