printing ink

American

noun

a type of ink that flows smoothly, dries quickly, and is of a consistency able to hold enough color to make printed matter legible: used to transfer the image on a press plate to the printing surface.

Etymology

Origin of printing ink

First recorded in 1670–80

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Local media said the snack-maker has seen its procurement of printing ink compromised by shortages of naphtha, an oil byproduct used in a wide range of industries.

From Barron's • May 12, 2026

“As of now, the government has not received any reports indicating that immediate supply issues are expected for printing ink or naphtha,” Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kei Sato said Tuesday at a news conference.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026

She stenciled on the design, slathering on bright red or white block printing ink with a roller.

From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2022

It arrived in the post after four days, labelled as "printing ink filler".

From BBC • Oct. 4, 2015

They can’t fill in, they can’t smudge, they can’t become contaminated by clots of printing ink or defects in the newspaper stock.

From From Xylographs to Lead Molds; A.D. 1440-A.D. 1921 by Forster, H. C.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023