Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find my Pantone® color?
You can find your Pantone® color using Pantone’s official tools. We’ve put together a step-by-step guide that walks through the exact process and shows what to look for when selecting a color.
[View our Pantone color guide →]
Are your inks oil-based or rubber-based?
Blue Press Ink formulations are best described as a hybrid system. Our inks are designed to stay open on the press like a traditional rubber-base ink, while drying hard on the sheet like an oil-base ink.
This balance allows for smooth roll-out, strong color, and clean impressions—without the long drying times commonly associated with pure rubber-base inks.
Our inks are developed for letterpress, relief, and a range of printmaking applications, and are trusted by both small studios and professional shops for consistent, reliable results.
Do your inks dry hard or stay open on press?
Both—by design.
Our inks are formulated to stay open on the press during normal working conditions, allowing shows to run smoothly without constant re-inking. Once printed, they dry to a hard, smudge-resistant finish on the sheet.
Drying time can vary depending on paper, ink coverage, and environmental conditions, but most jobs dry the same day or overnight.
How long do your inks take to dry?
Drying time depends on several factors, including paper type, ink film thickness, coverage, and humidity.
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Light to moderate coverage on uncoated stocks often dries within the same day
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Heavier solids or dense coverage may take overnight
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Highly absorbent papers typically dry faster than coated stocks
If you have a specific application or deadline, feel free to contact us before ordering.
What papers do your inks work best on?
Our inks perform best on uncoated papers, including cotton, text, and cover stocks commonly used in letterpress and relief printing.
They can also be used on coated or specialty papers, though drying time and appearance may vary. As with all letterpress printing, paper choice plays a major role in final results.
How accurate are Pantone® color matches?
We mix inks to Pantone® color standards, but printed results can vary due to press conditions, paper, ink film thickness, and impression strength.
It’s important to note that:
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Ink in the jar (mass tone) may look very different from the printed color
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Transparent colors and lighter inks are especially influenced by paper color
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Final printed color is always a combination of ink, paper, and press setup
For critical color work, test prints are strongly recommended.
Why does the ink in the jar look different than the printed color?
Ink in the container is seen in mass tone, meaning it’s viewed at full thickness. When printed, the ink is spread into a thin film, allowing light to pass through and interact with the paper.
This is normal and expected—especially with transparent, semi-transparent, and lighter colors. The printed result is the true reference, not the appearance of the ink in the jar.
Do you recommend plate makers?
Many printers use Boxcar Press for photopolymer plates. We’ve listed Boxcar and other helpful vendors on our Recommended Resources page.
Do you offer custom Pantone® mixes?
Yes. We offer custom Pantone® color mixing based on the Pantone® number you provide at checkout.
Please note:
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Custom-mixed inks are made to order
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Lead times may vary
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Custom colors are not eligible for return
If you have questions about a specific color or application, contact us before ordering.
About Us
About Blue Press Ink
Blue Press Ink was born from a passion for printmaking and letterpress. As the letterpress and specialty printmaking side of Southern Ink grew, it became clear that these products needed their own focus. Blue Press Ink emerged as a dedicated division, designed to serve printers, artists, and studios with professional-grade inks tailored specifically to their craft. The name “Blue Press” comes from our roots in Blue, Texas—a nod to the community and place where our journey began.
Our Mission
We exist to provide inks that combine reliability, versatility, and beautiful results on every sheet. Every formulation reflects a careful balance of tradition and innovation—drawing from the rich history of oil-based inks while introducing modern refinements for consistency, ease of use, and creative flexibility.
What Makes Blue Press Ink Different?
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Hybrid Technology: Stays open on the press like a rubber base but dries hard on the sheet like an oil base—perfect for long runs without smudging or waste.
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Superior Print Quality: Smooth rollout, strong pigmentation, and crisp impressions for bold solids, fine type, and layered effects.
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Versatility & Reliability: Trusted by small studios and professional shops alike, our inks perform consistently across uncoated, coated, cotton, and specialty papers.
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Made for Printers: Designed around the real needs of letterpress and printmaking professionals, ensuring dependable performance for every project.
Blue Press Ink is more than just a product line—it’s a dedicated home for printmakers who value craftsmanship, creativity, and quality. By becoming its own company, Blue Press Ink can focus fully on supporting this vibrant community, helping you bring your visions to life, one perfect impression at a time.
𝒞𝑜𝓂𝓂𝒾𝓉 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝓌𝑜𝓇𝓀 𝓉𝑜 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝐿𝑜𝓇𝒹,
𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝓅𝓁𝒶𝓃𝓈 𝓌𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝒷𝑒 𝑒𝓈𝓉𝒶𝒷𝓁𝒾𝓈𝒽𝑒𝒹.
— 𝒫𝓇𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓇𝒷𝓈 𝟣𝟨:𝟥
Looking for trusted letterpress resources? See our Recommended Resources page →