Signs, in a way (4)
I believe the answer is:
inks
'signs in a way' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for inks that I've seen before include "Printers' mediums" , "Liquids used for printing" , "Printers' media" , "Fluids from cuttlefish" , "Printing fluids" .)