printing-ink

A worker carefully pours printing-ink into a large machine tray.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of ink used in printing: "printing-ink" refers to a viscous, colored substance applied to a printing surface (such as a plate, roller, or type) to transfer text or images onto paper or other materials. It is specifically formulated for use in printing presses and processes.

Usage Examples

• (The ink used in the printing machine was exhausted.)
• (The ink must be of good standard for clear results.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be in printing-ink": (rare) to be written or recorded permanently, as with ink used in printing.

  • The contract was signed in printing-ink, making it official. (The agreement was finalized with permanent ink.)

• "printing-ink formula": the chemical composition or recipe used to create printing-ink.

  • The company developed a new printing-ink formula that dries faster. (A new chemical mixture for the ink.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ink (n): a colored fluid used for writing, drawing, or printing.
  • She spilled ink on the desk. (The colored liquid used in pens or printers.)
• Printing (n): the process of producing text or images on paper or other materials.
  • The printing of the book took two weeks. (The act of producing copies.)

Synonyms

• Printer's ink: a synonym for printing-ink, specifically used in the context of professional printing.
• Lithographic ink: a type of printing-ink used in lithography.

Related Idioms

• In the ink: (informal) to be in a difficult or messy situation, though not directly related to printing-ink.
  • He found himself in the ink after the deal fell through. (He was in trouble.)
• Black as ink: very dark, often used metaphorically.
  • The night was black as ink. (Extremely dark, like printing-ink.)