Solvent based inks and water based dyes for anodized aluminum
Hello!
I just took a class on coloring anodized aluminum and the instructor
had us using Sharpie Pens and food coloring to color the metal. These
worked okay, but not great, so I purchased the book “Anodized” which
had a lot of on technique and talked to great length
about using solvent based inks and water based dyes for the coloring
process. However, she did not give any resources for the inks and
dyes. She did mention that the solvent based inks were the kind used
for printmaking and silk screening, so I took my chances and I bought
an expensive set of solvent based inks from Daniel Smith that are for
printmaking. These inks did not work! I have searched the internet,
but all I can find is a large company that color anodized aluminum in
huge quantities and only sells their aluminum and dyes in huge and
expensive quantities, meant for large production work. I can’t seem
to find ANYTHING in a tube or smaller jar that would be appropriate
for any jeweler to use. I have sent several emails to the author of
the book “Anodized”, who has not responded and I have even emailed
Jane Adam, who is quite famous for her anodized aluminum jewelry, but
her resources are all from the UK. Can anyone help me here? I am so
anxious to try the process, but can’t do a thing without the proper
coloring agents. Thank you! Louise Duhamel