The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 3 letter word INK
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
I
N
K
More clues leading to the result INK
- Writing material popular with king
- Scribbler’s tattoos don’t fade away?
- Tattoo colour loses power
- Fungus among group, brought over
- Writing fluid colour lacks power
- Cycling family used to write home?
- Some undrinkable liquid
- What newspapers rely on: scandal seeing religious figure ousted
- Blink to supply personality test component
- How memory’s measured on set mark in test
Buddy explains!

The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does INK mean?
INK noun- A pigment (or dye)-based fluid used for writing, printing etc.
- A particular type, color or container of this fluid.
- The black or dark-colored fluid ejected by squid, octopus etc, as a protective strategy.
- Publicity.
- Tattoo work.
- Cheap red wine.
- To apply ink to; to cover or smear with ink.
- To sign (a contract or similar document).
- To apply a tattoo to (someone).
- (of a squid or octopus) to eject ink (sense 3)