Making Typewriter Ink

I am going to give you a recipe and the tools to make a nice new typewriter ribbon. All instructions you can make one from scratch! Largely based on:

Chemical Technology Encyclopedias (1910–1930s) [fantastic library of information]

“Printing Ink and How to Use It” (1911), American Type Founders Co.

“Printing Ink Formulations” (1967) [this covered solvents and other items of importance]

The American Stationer (1898–1920) [try the 1987 Chicago one linked on wikipedia ;) ]

Industrial Chemistry manuals [various]

I decided Aniline dyes were not a good idea especially as we have modern materials so I made a simple change and decided safer artist oil inks will be much better vibrant and "light safe". Historically turpentine or benzine we're used, now alcohol is a much safer item. I want to make a uv/blacklight one later on. [made a uv one works great!]

I was sad to see no one has pursued this information and no documents are easily found online.

Thank you, Tom Hanks for the inspiration.

https://www.npr.org/2017/10/16/557636219/tom-hanks-is-obsessed-with-typewriters-so-he-wrote-a-book-about-them

I chose 2oz eye dropper glass vials [These make a good amount of ink that makes a nice display piece]

A 1" foam/sponge brush for each color we wish to make

10mL Syringe for liquids with good increments which will make measuring much easier we need one for each liquid. one alcohol, one ink and one caster oil

91% Isopropyl Alcohol [ we do not want 99% alcohol as it will dry too quickly or cause other issues]

MECCANIXITY 1/2 Inch Single Fold Bias Tape Cotton Continuous Bulk Bias Tape for Sewing,Seaming Quilting Hemming Binding Crafts (White 25 Yards)MECCANIXITY 1/2 Inch Single Fold Bias Tape Cotton Continuous Bulk Bias Tape for Sewing,Seaming Quilting Hemming Binding Crafts (White 25 Yards)

You need a un-patterned non herringbone ribbon! This was actually pretty hard to find as this style is no longer widely used. you can also use nylon which will give a cleaner and crisp letter.

you can also use reels you already have. to remove old ink just use alcohol to clean them

You will also need a spool, I used the file from here and printed new spools: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:437149

They worked fairly well on my Royal Quiet Deluxe :)

A USP grade 100% Caster oil

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09CV925V4 x2 for 12 vials

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BCKF7MFK

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Optional:

A paper cutter for making labels

4oz 120ml tins for the spools when they are done

[ I recommend these as they will help keep ink fresh ]

Wooden Stir Sticks

[I just shook the vials]

1. Print Your Spools
2. Use your 3D printer to fabricate two matching spools: one feed and one take‑up.
3. Make sure the hub fits snugly on your typewriter’s ribbon pins.
4. Prepare Your Ribbon
5. New cotton ribbon works straight off the roll.
6. Reclaimed ribbon (from an old spool) needs cleaning:
7. Trim away frayed ends.
8. Place the ribbon in a clean glass jar (e.g. a washed spaghetti jar).
9. Cover completely with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol and let soak 10–15 minutes.
10. Lift out, hang it straight to air‑dry fully before proceeding.
11. Mount Ribbon onto Spools
12. Thread one end of the ribbon through the slot in the feed spool.
13. Tie a single overhand knot about ½″ from the end—this’ll lock the ribbon onto the hub.
14. Wind the ribbon neatly onto the feed spool, keeping tension even.
15. Install in Your Typewriter
16. Place the filled feed spool on the left spindle; place an empty take‑up spool on the right.
17. Pull the ribbon across the type guide, threading it under any ribbon guides or through slots per your machine’s original path.
18. Attach the ribbon’s leading end to the take‑up spool (again, secure with an overhand knot) and wind on a couple of turns to eliminate slack.
19. Test and Fine‑Tune
20. Advance the ribbon manually a few clicks to ensure smooth movement.
21. Type a few characters; listen for snags and adjust tension by winding or loosening each spool as needed.

Sanitize & Prep

1. Wipe all tools and containers with alcohol; let evaporate.
2. Wear gloves to avoid contaminating pigment.

Measure Castor Oil

1. Pour 40 ml into your cylinder or draw to the 40 ml mark with a syringe.
2. Transfer the oil into the mixing jar.

Dispense Oil Paint

1. Squeeze or scoop pigment to the 20 ml level.
2. Scrape it into the jar, using the stirring tool to get every bit.

Combine & Emulsify

1. Stir slowly at first to avoid splatter, then briskly for 1–2 minutes until the paint fully disperses in the oil.
2. You’re aiming for a smooth, homogenous paste.

Adjust Viscosity

1. Add 1 ml alcohol dropwise, stirring after each drop.
2. Stop once the mixture flows easily off the stir stick without running too thin—up to 3 ml maximum.

Shake to mix the ink

1. I shook the vials for a few minutes each to mix the paint as it was rather thick and the alcohol needed to break down and combine the materials especially for the uv ink.

Strain Out Lumps [I didn't need to do this but might help]

1. Pour the ink through a fine‑mesh strainer or coffee filter into your storage bottle.
2. This removes any undispersed pigment or skin.

Label & Rest

1. Label your storage bottle with “Typewriter Ink,” the preparation date, and the recipe ratio.
2. Rest for 12–24 hours so air bubbles rise and pigments settle slightly. [I didnt bother but the instructions from the reading material covered this]
3. 
   

Re‑suspend Pigment

1. Gently invert or roll the bottle—don’t shake vigorously—to mix settled pigment back into the oil.

Test Flow

1. Use a scrap of paper or coat a cotton swab:
2. Should flow like light syrup, coating the swab without dripping off.
3. Should cling to ribbon fibers without soaking through.
4. Should not behave like water (too runny) or like toothpaste (too stiff).

Adjusting Consistency

1. If too thick:
2. Add 1 ml of isopropyl alcohol at a time.
3. Stir thoroughly after each addition.
4. If too thin:
5. Let the bottle sit (uncapped) for a bit longer to allow excess alcohol to evaporate.

Target Consistency

1. Flow: Gentle, steady drip—like thin machine oil or light syrup.
2. Coating: Even coverage on swab or ribbon, with no pooling or runoff.
3. Balance: Thin enough to transfer cleanly, thick enough to stay on the ribbon.

Prep & Tension

1. Anchor the ribbon ends with clips or pins on a clean, flat surface so it’s taut but not overstretched.
2. Ensure no wrinkles or twists—this gives an even coating.

Light Coating

1. Dip a fine‑bristle brush or small foam sponge into your ink.
2. Remove excess ink by brushing once on the jar’s rim: you want a thin film, not a puddle.
3. Glide the tool along the ribbon’s length, applying one light, even stroke per section.

Avoid Over‑Saturation

1. One thin layer is all you need; heavy brushing will soak through and gum up the type guides.
2. If you see beads or drips, blot gently with a lint‑free cloth before moving on.

Drying

1. Leave the ribbon stretched and flat in a dust‑free area.
2. Allow 2–4 hours (depending on humidity) until the surface feels dry to the touch but the ribbon remains flexible.

Re‑Spooling

1. Once dry, release the clips and carefully wind the ribbon back onto your spools.
2. Keep tension even as you rewind to prevent loose loops or tight spots.
3. 
   

Pilot Test:

Always ink a small ribbon sample first—this lets you dial in paint‑to‑alcohol ratios and catch any unexpected behavior before treating a full spool.

Adjust for Paint Variance:

Different brands or pigment colors can vary in viscosity and absorbency. Darker or stiffer paints may require the full 3 ml of alcohol; softer, lighter hues may need less.

Leftover Ink Storage:

Transfer any unused ink to a small, airtight glass jar.

1. Shelf life: Properly sealed, it’ll keep for years without degrading.

Drying Environment:

Work in a well‑ventilated area to accelerate drying and minimize fume buildup.

Even Curing:

Halfway through the 2–4 hour dry time, flip or rotate the stretched ribbon to expose both sides evenly.

Post‑Dry Storage:

If you’re not installing the ribbon immediately, seal it in a dust‑free, airtight bag or container—this preserves flexibility and prevents dust from sticking.