Duplicator Press Ink — Hybrid Oil/Rubber-Base Inks for Integrated Dampening Systems
MixMasters supplies the Ideal series of hybrid combination inks engineered specifically for small-format duplicator presses with integrated dampening systems. The Ideal series blends oil-base and rubber-base properties into a single, press-hardy formulation that delivers reliable color, stays open on the press overnight, and handles the unique demands of integrated dampening without emulsification problems. Pantone spot colors, dense blacks, and pressroom additives are all available in 1 lb and 5 lb cans with no minimum order.
Why the Ideal Series for Duplicator Presses
Integrated dampening systems—found on popular duplicator presses from manufacturers like Hamada, Ryobi, Multilith, and AB Dick—deliver ink and water from the same roller train. This design requires an ink with enough body and water resistance to maintain color density without breaking down or over-emulsifying on press. Standard oil-base inks formulated for conventional dampening systems are often too soft for integrated systems and can cause wash-out, scumming, or inconsistent coverage.
The Ideal series is formulated from the ground up for these conditions:
- Well-bodied combination formulation designed for integrated dampening roller trains
- Blends oil-base and rubber-base properties for water resistance and color stability
- Can be left on the press overnight without skinning—no nightly wash-up required
- Will not skin in the can for several days after opening
- Suitable for uncoated papers and some lightweight coated stocks
- Drier can be added when faster oxidation drying is needed
- Tack rated at 20 @ 1200 rpm—firm enough for integrated systems, manageable on lightweight stocks
Ideal Series — Pantone Spot Colors
MixMasters is a Pantone-licensed ink blender. We stock all twelve standard Pantone mixing base colors in the Ideal series, plus a selection of frequently ordered PMS spot colors—ready to ship. For any Pantone number not stocked as a ready-made blend, we mix to order using licensed Pantone formulas to match the printed swatch in the current Pantone Formula Guide.
Stocked Ideal Pantone Colors
| Pantone Color | 1 lb | 5 lb |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow | $18.45 | $15.45 |
| Warm Red | $18.95 | $15.95 |
| Rubine Red | $17.60 | $14.60 |
| Rhodamine Red | $24.80 | $21.80 |
| Violet | $29.95 | $26.95 |
| Purple | $28.95 | $25.95 |
| Reflex Blue | $19.55 | $16.55 |
| Process Blue | $17.05 | $14.05 |
| Green | $23.70 | $20.70 |
| Neutral Black | $19.85 | $16.85 |
| Transparent White | $17.30 | $14.30 |
| Opaque White | $19.25 | $16.25 |
Popular PMS Blends (Ideal Oil/Rubber-Base)
| PMS Number | 1 lb | 5 lb |
|---|---|---|
| PMS 021 | $22.95 | $19.95 |
| PMS 032 | $22.95 | $19.95 |
| PMS 072 | $25.95 | $22.95 |
| PMS 185 | $22.95 | $19.95 |
| PMS 199 | $22.95 | $19.95 |
| PMS 201 | $22.95 | $19.95 |
| PMS 221 | $22.95 | $19.95 |
| PMS 286 | $22.95 | $19.95 |
| PMS 293 | $22.95 | $19.95 |
| PMS 300 | $22.95 | $19.95 |
| PMS 340 | $22.95 | $19.95 |
| PMS 347 | $22.95 | $19.95 |
| PMS 469 | $22.95 | $19.95 |
| PMS 485 | $22.95 | $19.95 |
| PMS 541 | $22.95 | $19.95 |
| Any Pantone Special Blend | $43.95 | $23.95 |
Need a PMS color not listed above? We blend any Pantone number to order in the Ideal series. Place your order here or contact us with the PMS number, series, and quantity.
Dense Black Ink for Duplicator Presses
Our Ideal Dense Black is a combination oil/rubber-base formulation matched to the same tack, body, and water-resistance characteristics as the Ideal Pantone color series. It delivers strong coverage on uncoated papers without wash-out on integrated dampening systems. Like all Ideal inks, it can be left on the press overnight without skinning.
| Black Ink | 1 lb | 5 lb | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ideal Dense Black | $19.85 | $16.85 | Combination oil/rubber-base dense black for duplicator presses with integrated dampening. Well-bodied formulation with strong coverage on uncoated stocks. Will not skin overnight. Tack 20 @ 1200 rpm |
For shops that also run conventional offset presses with standard dampening, we carry additional dense black formulations in our Conventional Offset Ink line, including the Patriot, Liberty, Dura Dry, and Surface Oxidizing blacks.
Typical Duplicator Press Applications
The Ideal series is the go-to ink for operators running small-format duplicator presses in a wide range of environments. Common applications include:
- Envelope printing — Consistent coverage on uncoated envelope stocks with reliable color on integrated dampening systems.
- In-plant print departments — Forms, memos, internal publications, and branded stationery on duplicator presses where simplicity and low maintenance matter.
- Schools and universities — Programs, newsletters, exams, and event materials on older duplicator equipment still in daily service.
- Small commercial print shops — Short-run one- and two-color jobs on duplicator presses alongside conventional offset work.
- Quick printers — Fast-turnaround business cards, flyers, and letterheads where overnight ink stability saves morning make-ready time.
- Religious organizations — Bulletins, programs, and outreach materials produced weekly on in-house duplicator presses.
Additives for Ideal Series Inks
Fine-tune Ideal ink performance with our complete line of pressroom additives:
- Drier — Accelerates oxidation drying when faster handling is needed. Particularly useful on coated stocks where the Ideal formulation's rubber-base component slows absorption drying.
- Tack Reducer — Lowers tack to reduce picking on lightweight or textured papers. Use sparingly—excessive tack reduction can affect water resistance on integrated systems.
- Body Varnish — Extends ink volume without significantly reducing color strength. Useful for adjusting flow on large solid areas.
Ideal vs. Patriot — Choosing the Right Series
Not sure which series your press needs? The key factor is your dampening system:
| Feature | Ideal (Duplicator) | Patriot (Conventional) |
|---|---|---|
| Dampening system | Integrated | Conventional (separate) |
| Ink base | Hybrid oil/rubber | Oil-base (soy/vegetable) |
| Tack | 20 @ 1200 rpm | 15 @ 1200 rpm |
| Overnight on press | Yes—will not skin | No—nightly wash-up recommended |
| Best paper types | Uncoated, some lightweight coated | Coated and uncoated |
| Drying method | Absorption + oxidation (with drier) | Absorption + oxidation |
| Laser safe | — | Yes |
If your shop runs both press types, we can supply both series so each press gets the formulation it was designed for. See our Conventional Offset Ink page for full Patriot series details and pricing.
Packaging & Ordering
Every Ideal ink and additive is available in two sizes:
- 1 lb cans — Convenient for short runs, proofing, and shops that carry a wide variety of spot colors.
- 5 lb cans — Reduced per-pound pricing for production runs and frequently used colors.
There is no minimum order and no account registration required. Most orders ship the same business day via UPS. Visit our Order page to submit your selections, or contact us by phone or email.
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Ideal series Pantone colors, dense black, and pressroom additives.
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