Using the Kalkulator™ Ink Library
Select real manufacturer inks, match Pantone colors, and build ink setups for accurate quoting.
What is the ink library?
The ink library in Kalkulator™ is a database of real screen printing ink colors from major manufacturers. Instead of guessing 'red' or 'blue,' you can select the exact ink you plan to use — Rutland NPT Process Red, Wilflex Epic Rio Red, International Coatings 7503 Bright Red — and include it in your quote. This eliminates miscommunication between your sales team, art department, and press operators.
Step 1 — Browse inks by manufacturer
In Kalkulator™, open the Ink Library from the main menu or from within a quote's color selection screen. Inks are organized by manufacturer: Rutland, Wilflex, International Coatings, Matsui, and Union Ink. Each entry shows the ink name, color swatch, ink type (plastisol, water-based, discharge), and any special notes.
- 1Open Kalkulator™ > Ink Library
- 2Browse by manufacturer or use the search bar
- 3Tap an ink to see full details (type, coverage notes, recommended mesh)
- 4Tap 'Add to Quote' to include it in your current quote
Step 2 — Match Pantone colors
If your customer specifies a Pantone color, use the Pantone Match feature. Enter the Pantone code (e.g., PMS 185 C) and Kalkulator™ shows you the closest matching inks from each manufacturer in the library. The match quality is indicated by a percentage score — 95%+ is a near-exact match, 80-94% is close enough for most jobs, and below 80% may require a custom mix.
Always confirm the Pantone match with a drawdown before committing to a full run. Screen printed ink on fabric looks different than a Pantone chip on coated paper.
Step 3 — Custom inks and mixing
If no library ink matches your needs, create a custom ink entry. Enter the ink name, type, Pantone reference, and any mixing notes. Custom inks are saved to your personal library and sync to Kontrol™ if connected. This is useful for house colors you mix frequently or specialty inks not in the default library.
Ink data in quotes and jobs
When you include library inks in a Kalkulator™ quote, the ink names and types carry through to the job when synced to Kontrol™. Your press operators see the exact ink spec on the work order — no more decoding 'dark red' or 'that blue the customer liked.' The ink library turns vague color requests into specific, actionable ink specs.