Is the Ink HP Sends Me Waterproof or Water-Resistant?

[mksalva]

Is the ink that HP sends me at all waterproof or water-resistant?
I want to be able to put some watercolor paper into my printer, and then paint with watercolors on the printed line drawings.

Thanks!

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @mksalva,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.
 

Thank you for posting your query. I will be glad to help you.

Great question! HP Instant Ink cartridges (and most standard HP inks for home and office printers) are dye-based for color and pigment-based for black. Here’s what that means for your watercolor project:

Water Resistance of HP Ink

• Black Ink (Pigment-based):
  HP’s black ink in Instant Ink cartridges is generally water-resistant, not fully waterproof. It resists smudging when exposed to light moisture, but will bleed if you apply a wet brush directly.
• Color Ink (Dye-based):
  Dye-based inks are not water-resistant. They dissolve easily when exposed to water, so watercolor washes will cause colors to smear or fade.

For Watercolor Painting Over Printed Lines

• If you want crisp lines that won’t run:
  • Print in black only (pigment ink).
  • Let the print dry for at least 24 hours.
  • Optionally, spray a clear fixative (like Krylon UV-resistant clear spray) over the print before painting.
• Avoid printing colored areas if you plan to paint over them with water.

Paper Considerations

• HP printers are not designed for thick watercolor paper. Feeding heavy paper can cause jams.
• If you use watercolor paper: 
  • Choose a lighter weight (90–140 gsm).
  • Feed one sheet at a time through the rear tray (if your printer supports it).

I hope this helps.

Take care and have an amazing day!
 

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Regards,

VikramTheGreat