Encres

Encres is the plural form of encre in French and refers to inks in a broad sense. The term encompasses liquids or viscous substances used to apply color to surfaces such as paper, fabric, metal, or plastic, across writing, drawing, printing, and artistic applications. Encres can be produced for consumer writing instruments, professional printing, or industrial processes, and they vary widely in composition, performance, and permanence.

Two fundamental distinctions describe many encres by colorant: pigment-based inks, which suspend solid pigment particles in a binder or vehicle; and dye-based inks, in which soluble dyes dissolve in the solvent. Pigment inks tend to offer greater lightfastness and water resistance, while dye inks can provide brighter colors but may fade more readily. A second distinction concerns the carrier or solvent, with water-based encres common for writing and art, and oil- or solvent-based or UV-curable formulations used in various printing and industrial contexts.

Applications range from fountain pen and calligraphy inks to printing inks for offset, gravure, or screen printing, as well as art inks for watercolor, acrylic, or mixed-media work. The choice of encres affects drying time, smudging, feathering, and archival stability, as well as substrate compatibility.

Historically, encres have evolved from carbon-based and iron gall inks to modern synthetic formulations, driven by needs for durability, safety, and color range. Environmental and health considerations have increasingly influenced formulation and usage.