As a motif, ink plays a significant role, for at different points in the novel, it symbolizes art, creativity, and the pervasive power of all artistic media. It represents different art forms, like drawing and writing, and because the story revolves around a living ink splotch, Oppel uses this image to suggest that art, once created, takes on a life of its own and can never be fully controlled by its creator. However, the fact that Inkling cannot absorb information from screens suggests the author’s own judgment that physically putting pen to paper is a superior version of artistic expression that is essential for fostering true creativity and breathing life into art. Likewise, he implies that physical copies of works hold more meaning because they are more accessible and easier to digest.

Additionally, the motif of ink represents media as a whole. Oppel implies that it is beneficial for everyone to consume a variety of media to obtain a well-rounded perspective. Likewise, the character of Blotter, who is fixated on a single genre, is used to represent the idea that too much of certain media, particularly violent media, can be harmful.