1.1 Tattoo convention cancelled after ink dries up

Doncaster's annual TattFest has been cancelled due to lack of ink. Max Harrison, who organises the event, says he had no choice but to shelve the event as the global ink crisis escalates. "We're absolutely shafted. No ink. No show - it's as simple as that."

InkWatch.net has received reports of similar shortages up and down the country. In London, one disgruntled Arsenal fan was left red-faced when the ink ran out halfway through having his team's name tattooed across his shoulders.

1.2 Ink shortage worsens. Papers lost for words

The worldwide ink shortage has hit a number of industries, noticeably publishing.

Some countries have even brought in rationing. For example, Canada is banning vowels in newspapers until the crisis is resolved. David Head of the Canadian Press Association said, "Ths s ctstrphc. Smthng mst b dn - nd qck."

The one silver lining is that Kodak is flying in emergency supplies of their lower-priced synthetic ink. One expert commented, "At last someone has come out and undermined this artificial monopoly with ink that's half the price. One could say Kodak has saved the word."

1.3 Kodak smashes ink cartel

The worldwide ink shortage has hit a number of industries, noticeably publishing.

Just when all seemed lost, when it looked like we'd have to pay through the nose for ink that reeks of squid, Kodak has come up smelling of roses.

Eschewing the antiquated methods of intensive squid-inking, Kodak creates premium synthetic ink that's completely odourless and delivers many more prints for your money.

Exhaustive tests have borne this out. Someone's gone to the trouble of literally testing all the competitors against the new Kodak printers. Having read through the results, InkWatch can say it makes surprising reading. Against some printers, the Kodak printed black text pages for a third of the price and with no loss in quality. It seems you no longer have to take out a second mortgage to buy a new set of cartridges. For its part, InkWatch.net is proud to endorse Kodak inkjet printers.

You can see the test results here >

1.4 Shortage drives some to home inking

In Eastern Europe, ink supplies are at an all-time low. Poland's shops have long since run out and people wishing to print are running out of options, short of buying ink on the black market, the yellow market, the cyan market and the magenta market.

InkWatch.net spoke to one Warsaw resident who's taken matters into her own hands - literally. Agata Kowalska now keeps a live shortfin squid in her bath as she feels she has no alternative.

"When the big companies take away all the ink we have no choice but to find other ways to get hold of it. Freedom to print. It is our right."

"We have become very close friends. Squids have three hearts, but with mine, Winston now has four. This is not ideal. But it is the best we can do and I am more fortunate than many."