Abstract: The present invention relates to an ink or India ink for variable ink applications, for writing, drawing, painting and printing, especially in connection with ink-jet systems or other mechanical writing, printing, painting or marking methods and/or devices, made up of organic solvent, as well as of a coloring agent and, optionally, water, binding agent and/or further additives. The coloring agent includes at least two chromophoric components, of which, in the print image, or after the stroke application or color application, at least one coloring-agent component is water-soluble, and a further coloring-agent component is water-insoluble. The components should include various colorants and/or color pigments, and should have at least one colorant that is water-soluble in the stroke application--especially under the influence of heat--and one water-insoluble colorant and/or one water-insoluble color pigment.