  De Milo keeps a collection of stock ink colors. Below are screen approximations and printed stock color swatches are available in the sample store. Custom Pantone colors may be mixed for $40 each. Sometimes when a custom Pantone color is ordered we mix a whole can and keep it around. For people who have PMS books to consult download our .pdf file of random Pantone colors.
 It is helpful to keep in mind that color swatches, whether printed or on screen, Pantone or stock, are a guide only. We rarely get unsatisfactory results, but ink behavior depends on a wide variety of variables—paper surface, size of print area, kind of ink, the length of the press run and sometimes even the air temperature or humidity of the environment. If you’re matching something like ribbon or another printed piece send a swatch for referral while on press.
|
Metallic Inks
They aren’t really shiny like foil stamping...just a tiny bit of sparkle.
Soy Inks
Soy Tint Inks
Great for subtle background printing. |
It’s true that the amount of fossil fuel used in a small print shop on a yearly basis wouldn’t drive most of us even once to the grocery store. Many experienced printers prefer sticking to rubber or oil based ink not because they don’t care about the planet, but because the amount of petroleum is small and ink performance is important. Common complaints about soy is that it dries too quickly on press, is difficult to clean up, and doesn't give good coverage. De Milo doesn’t mind a little extra elbow grease and hasn’t found coverage to be a problem. De Milo mostly uses soy ink (from domestically grown soy, so we’re not clearing rain forests) as a symbolic way to “keep our eye on the ball” because we always need to be reminded that eco habits should be a priority. We also clean our presses with a soy based solvent. But the debate about press washup is even more spicy. Don’t get the printers started! |
