Filling Tubes and Small Cans with Ink


I start with a stiff cardboard sleeve. The ideal sleeve has
an inside diameter that is slightly larger than the outside
diameter of the empty tube. If the sleeve is too large,
you can insert a spacer made from a sheet of chipboard
(the bottom of a scratch pad). If the sleeve is not stiff
enough, you can wrap a piece of cardboard around the
sleeve. It has to be stiff enough to hold in your hand,
without crushing the empty tube.

Try a small diameter Mailing Tube. Toilet Tissue Tubes
are not stiff enough or long enough.






Insert the empty tube into the stiff cardboard sleeve. I
then wrap a length of 3/4 inch masking tape around the
edge of the assembly.



Fold the tape over the edge of the sleeve/tube. This
temporarily holds the empty tube to the sleeve and
prevents the ink from going between the sleeve and the
tube during the filling. I hold the assembly as one would
hold an ice cream cone and proceed to fill the tube with
a flexible putty knife. If your hand gets tired, you can
always set the assembly down on the table, it won't tip. I
wear a plastic glove if I've had a lot of coffee and feel a
little shaky. Usually, gloves are not necessary.


The tubes will easily hold 5 ounces. In my case, the
cardboard sleeve and the empty tube weigh a total of 1
3/8 ounces. I fill the tube with 5 oz. of ink for a total of 6
3/8 ounces. Three 5 oz. tubes will clean out a one
pound (16 oz. ) can of ink. Room is needed to crimp the
end of the tube closed. A 5 ounce fill will leave about 2
inches to allow closing the tube and crimping. I have
found it best to stop at 5 ounces. Some pigments weight
more that others. Depending on the color, some tubes
will contain more or less ink. Metallic ink is the heaviest.
You could probably get away with 7 ounces of metallic
ink.





When the tube is filled, remove the masking tape and
take the sleeve off of the tube.

I use a "needle nose" or "duck bill" pliers to close and
crimp the end of the tube. Fold it over twice.




I use three different size cans, 4, 8, and 16 ounce. One
size of tube, 5 oz (150 ml) The label is 1x4.25 and fits
the tube, 8 and 16 oz. containers. Yes, that's 22 out of a
8.5x11 sheet of pressure sensitive label stock.

1x4 is also a standard size for computer generated
mailing labels.
When you own the
printing press, you can
be as egotistical as you
like. I set the label in 15
point Schoeffer Oldstyle
Initials and 10 point
Bernhard Modern Bold. I
left a  box opening for
smearing a fingerprint of
color and room to copy
the info off the original
label.



I use the 4 ounce cans to store specially mixed ink for
projects I will probably do again. Ink in tubes is for my
everyday use. The 8 ounce cans are used for longer
runs. The 16 ounce cans are mainly for back-up stock
and trading to others. On cans, I place a heavy piece of
Saran Wrap on top of the ink before closing the can and
apply tape to the top to help keep air out and the can
sealed.







I keep ink for reoccurring projects in 4 ounce cans and
labeled in a small cabinet.
This does not insure that you will have the color you want!
NOTES
The tubes are sold as 150 ml. Thats 5 ounces. The tubes are made of aluminum and are coated inside. It's
important to remember to wipe the threaded area of the tube after use. The dried ink will act like glue and
prevent reopening the tube without breaking the plastic cap. I did hear that some toothpaste tubes use the
same size caps. If you can't get surplus ink from friends, the next best source is eBay. This allows you to build
up a supply. If you need a specific type or color of ink, buy it from a dealer and then fill the smaller containers.
This eliminates a lot of waste.

If any experienced printers/artists have anything to add, contact me at Dave@DaveCelani.com. I accept
suggestions, criticism, and additional information.
SOURCES
Daniel Smith has tubes and 4 and 16 oz empty cans. They sell cans individually and in dozen quantities.

Ink Companies and Printer's Supply Companies may also be able to supply empty cans. Try entering empty
ink cans in a Google search.

(These links tested OK on September 9th, 2008)
LEGAL STUFF
This is how I do it and it works for me. Use your own judgement as how this procedure best fits your needs and
ability. Remember, ink is flammable, some people are allergic to solvents and this is another case where you
should wash your hands BEFORE and after you go to the bathroom.

Copyright 2008 by Dave Celani. Permission is granted to reproduce this by any means, (including but not
limited too, hectograph, mimeograph and serigraphy) just let them know where you got the information.
(September 2008)
The Private Press of Dave Celani
Quality Printing Since 1956
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