Ink storage - low temp - refrigerate - freeze???

[optimizer]

if algae form in inks, it's probably best to store them at a low temperature?
What about refrigerate?
Risk - what happens to the ink if the refrigerator decides it's going to go into freeze mode, and freezes the ink?

I presume dye and pigment inks can't be frozen?

and I suppose that brings up the issue of the transport of inks we purchase on the internet in winter if it can't be frozen?

Thanks

 

[qwertydude]

All inks can freeze, it just depends on what temperature. Instead of chilling probably the best way to keep ink free and clear is to keep it in a cool dark place and most important don't allow any contaminants in it. That means for me only a tiny little hole to pour out ink into my ink bottles and recap tightly, I never stick needles in it to suck ink out because that's extra possibility of contaminants and never put ink from a bottle or syringe back into your main bottles. I've had my large bulk bottles almost a year and it's still doing fine, free and clear.

 

[ghwellsjr]

My 1-liter bottles of Inktec ink say on the label, "Use ink in normal temperature 15C-35C (59F-95F) away from direct sunshine." For that reason, I have never stored them in a refrigerator. I have kept them in an enclosed shelf near the floor.

 

[optimizer]

Does freezing ink destroy it?

 

[qwertydude]

I'd be worried about things coming out of solution, freezing can have unusual effects on chemicals. It's actually a way to separate liquids, called freeze distillation. But after ink may not have the same properties.

 

[fotofreek]

My solution to the potential problem is to buy only enough to last about a year or so. Shelf life for inks is usually rated at two years, and I've had ink for more than two years. I did have some algae growth in one bottle that I had for two years. Ordering what you can use in one year is less savings, but less chance for problems. Even with small quantity prices you save so much over OEM inks that buying more only makes sense if you have an extremely large print volume.