September 26, 2011Older Formulas For Colored Writing Inks
Alice Sink
The following recipes, taken from various sources, are typical of the kind of colored ink prepared from pigments other than aniline dye stuffs..
Cochineal or Carmine Inks
Ingredients Parts Cochineal
Ammonia
Water1 oz
1 oz
1 quartDecant after three days.
Dilute with water to the required intensity of colorSuperfine Cochineal Ink Ingredients Parts Cochineal
Ammonium carbonate
Alum
Water40
2
2
200The ammonium carbonate is dissolved cold in the water, and the solution is poured onto a mixture of the alum and cochineal finely powdered, The whole is shaken every quarter of an hour for three to four hours. By this time the extraction of the coloring matter of the cochineal will be complete. Then filter the ink.
The alum is required to precipitate from the ink other substances which would otherwise decompose the ink. When this happens the ink turns thick and rapidly becomes moldy emitting a disagreeable odor. Throw this unusable ink away and start again.
Violet Ink Indigo blue ink mixed with cochineal ink. Elderberry Ink The berries of the common Elder contain a large quantity of reddish-blue dye producing a capital ink. The writing is at first violet but soon turns a deep black. Ingredients Parts Elderberries
Ferrous Sulphate
Vinegar
Alum100
5
5
2- Crush out the juice of the ripe Elderberries
- Dissolve the Ferrous sulphate in hot water
- Mix with juice and vinegar.
- Add alum
- Filter