Learning Data Viz.... What Is The Data-ink Ratio? The data-ink ratio is a concept created by Edward Tufte, famous author in the field of data visualization. Clearly speaking, the data-ink ratio encourages chart creators to examine if all elements in the chart are relevant to the chart’s message. Or in Edward Tufte own words: “Above all else show the data.” Edward Tufte introduced the concept of data-ink in his 1983 classic The Visual Display of Quantitative Information. In it he states "Data-ink