Intro to Botanical Inks
By Amanda Fan
The natural world is full of amazing colors, and just about any plant matter can be turned into all-natural botanical ink. Repurposing food waste into botanical inks is a great way to get kids interested in the world of natural dyeing. Although basic inks can be made with common kitchen ingredients alone, a few specialty items from your local craft store can significantly enhance the lightfastness and longevity of the dye.
Alum- Many natural dyes require the assistance of a mordant to enhance lightfastness and bind to fibers. Alum is the most common mordant used by natural dyers and the easiest to work with. Some dye ingredients with naturally occurring tannins do not need the help of a mordant, and this ingredient can be omitted if lightfastness isn’t a concern.
Gum Arabic Powder- Adding a bit of gum arabic to the dye will thicken the ink. While this ingredient can also be omitted, it does help preserve the color and make it easier for the ink to bind with the paper, making the inks more user-friendly.
Essential Oil- Adding a few drops of clove or thyme oil to the ink at the end helps to preserve the ink. If longevity isn’t a concern, this ingredient can be omitted, but it is highly recommended to prevent mold growth.
Each dye ingredient has its own idiosyncrasies, but the basic recipe remains the same: Simmer about a cup of fresh (or 1/2 cup dried) plant material with 1 cup of water and a dash of alum for 20 to 30 minutes. Strain out the plant matter, whisk in 1/2 teaspoon gum Arabic while the ink is still warm so it dissolves easily, and let it cool. Pour the cooled ink into a small bottle and add 3 drops of thyme essential oil.
Common dye plants: Natural dyes can be found anywhere, but it can be easier for beginners to start with known dye plants when learning.
Turmeric
Onion Skins (any color)
Beetroot
Hibiscus
Berries
Stone Fruit Pits
Tea Leaves
Ink Recipes:
Bright Orange Marigold Ink
Ingredients:
1 cup fresh marigold blooms
1 cup water
1 teaspoon alum
1/2 tsp. gum Arabic
3 drops thyme essential oil
Method:
Simmer the fresh flowers with the water and alum for 20 minutes.
Strain out all the solids and whisk in the gum Arabic until it is fully dissolved.
Let cool and pour into a small bottle.
Add the essential oil and shake well to mix.
Rosy Avocado Pit Ink
Ingredients:
At least 2 large fresh avocado pits, cleaned and diced (more pits = darker dye)
1 cup water
1 teaspoon washing soda
1/2 tsp. gum Arabic
3-5 drops thyme essential oil
Method:
Simmer the avocado pits and washing soda in water for 40 minutes. Be careful not to let it overheat or the dye will shift towards brown.
When the desired shade is reached, strain out the pits and whisk in the gum Arabic while the dye is still warm.
Let cool and pour into a small bottle.
Add the essential oil and shake to mix.
Blue Cabbage Ink
Ingredients:
1 cup red cabbage, shredded
1 cup water
1 teaspoon alum
1/2 tsp. gum Arabic
3 drops thyme essential oil
Method:
Simmer the cut cabbage and alum in water for at least 15 minutes (longer cooking time = darker dye)
Strain out all the solids and whisk in the gum Arabic while the dye is still warm.
Let cool and pour into a small bottle.
Add the essential oil and shake well to mix.
