Willie Nye, age 11, of Spokane, Wash., for his question:

FROM WHAT IS INK MADE?

Ink is a liquid used for writing and printing.

Printing ink is made from pigment and a liquid of linseed oils and resins similar to rosin. Oil or mineral compounds are added as a dryer to prevent smudging.

Ball point pen inks are made by dissolving dye in a glycol or in certain alcohols. The dye is mixed into the glycol and heated until the ink is smooth. As much as 40 percent of the mixture is dye to ensure a strong color.

Washable fountain pen ink is made by dissolving dyes and a preservative in purified water. In permanent fountain pen inks, iron sulfate and tannic acid is added along with a preservative such as carbolic acid to prevent the growth of mold or bacteria.