PREPERATION OF INK

PROJECT REPORT

Submitted By

CHEMISTRY

FEBRUARY 2023

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to express my deep sense of thanks and gratitude to the Subject guide
Ms.-, for guiding me immensely through the course of my project.

The teacher had always evinced keen interest in my work. The constructive advice and
constant motivation provided, have been responsible for successful completion of this
project.

My sincere gratitude also goes to our Principal Ms.- , Head Master Dr - and
Coordinator Ms. - for extending every possible support.

I also thank my parents and my classmates for their timely help and support. Last, but
not the least, I would like to thank all those who had helped directly or indirectly
towards the completion of this project in fulfillment of my Course.

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 ABSTRACT

In this project, the history and traditional methods of ink preparation were examined,
with a focus on homemade ink production. Ink has been used for centuries for writing
and artistic expression, with the oldest known ink dating back to ancient Egypt.
Throughout history, various materials have been used to make ink, including plant
dyes, animal blood, and minerals.

In modern times, ink is typically prepared using a combination of pigments, a solvent,

and a binder. These ingredients are mixed together to form a homogenous mixture
with the desired viscosity and adhesion. However, it is also possible to make ink at
home using natural materials such as berries, flowers, or spices.

The process of making homemade ink involves extracting colorants from the chosen
materials using a solvent, such as water or alcohol. The extracted colorant is then
mixed with a binder, such as gum Arabic or honey, to provide adhesion to the
substrate. The resulting ink can be adjusted for desired properties, such as pH and
viscosity, and can be used for a variety of applications, including writing, drawing, or
printing.

Overall, this project provided an overview of the history and traditional methods of
ink preparation, as well as a guide for making ink at home using natural materials.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

1) INTRODUCTION 6

2) WHAT IS INK 7

3) HOW WAS INK PRODUCED IN ANCIENT TIMES 8

4) HOW IS INK PRODUCED IN MODERN TIMES 9

5) TYPES OF INK 10

6) ANLINE INK 11

7) METHOD FOR PREPARING ANLINE INK 13

8) GALLO-TONNIC INK 14

9) METHOD FOR PRODUCING GALLO-TONNIC INK 15

10) HOW TO PREPARE INK AT HOME 16

11) BIBLIOGRAPHY 17

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 INTRODUCTION

Many say that a pen is mightier than a sword, but ever thought that what makes the
pen mightier? Yes, it is the wonder liquid INK. You might have used ink many times
for writing but have you ever bothered where it comes from? How is it prepared?
What materials are used in its preparation? Etc. I’m sure your answer would be NO!
But don’t worry, this project includes answers to all your questions.

Ink is a liquid or paste that contains pigments or dyes and is used to color a surface or
to leave a mark. Ink is used for various purposes, such as printing, writing, drawing,
and crafting. In this project, we will focus on the preparation of ink from natural
materials.

The process of preparing ink from natural materials involves extracting pigments or
dyes from plants, fruits, or vegetables and combining them with a suitable binding
agent. The resulting ink can be used for various artistic and practical applications,
such as calligraphy, painting, and printing.

In this project, we will explore the different methods of preparing ink from natural
materials and the materials that can be used to obtain a wide range of colors. We will
also discuss the properties of different inks and how they can be used in different
applications. By the end of this project, you will have a good understanding of the
process of preparing ink from natural materials and will be able to prepare your
own ink at home.

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 WHAT IS INK

➢ To create an image, writing, or pattern on a surface, ink is a liquid or paste that

contains dyes and/or pigments. When writing or painting with a pen, brush, or
quill, ink is utilized. Inks that are thicker and paste-like are frequently
employed in letterpress and lithographic printing. For students, teachers,
authors, and others, ink is a necessity. Around 4000 years ago, the Egyptians
used ink for the first time.

➢ Ink formulas vary, but commonly involve four components:

1) Colorants

2) Vehicles (binders)

3) Additives

4) Carrier substances

WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF INK

Around 4500 years ago, both the Chinese and the Egyptians developed ink, which
dates back to that time. There are two essential components that make up ink: the
pigment and the carrier. The pigment, which is the dye in and of itself, is what the
vessel transfers to the paper or printing medium.

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 HOW WAS INK PREPARED IN ANCIENT TIMES

➢ The use of natural plant (plant dyes), animal (squid ink), and mineral offset
inks based on substances like graphite that were pulverized with water and
applied with ink brushes can be dated back to the 12th century BC in Chinese
history.

➢ The oldest known Chinese inks, which resemble modern ink sticks, were made
by hand using animal glue and soot around 256 BC, at the conclusion of the
Warring States Period.

➢ A well-known ink formula was developed some 1,600 years ago. The recipe
has been in use for many years. Gallnut tannin and a thickener were combined
with iron salts, such as ferrous sulfate, which is created by processing iron with
sulfuric acid. This ink is bluish-black when it is initially applied to paper. It
turns a dingy brown over time.

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 HOW IS INK PREPARED IN MODERN TIMES

Today, ink is made with a combination of pigments, dyes, solvents, surfactants, and
many other factors. Pigments and dye provide the foundation for ink during the
production process, and can be used to create many different types of ink. Pigments
are soluble particles used to impart color. They must be added to the ink carefully to
make sure that they don’t remain separate and can achieve a solid, even color. In
contrast, dye is a soluble product, and imparts its color by being absorbed by the ink.

Once they have been selected and prepared, the chosen pigments and dyes are then
combined with a range of other ingredients. These will depend on the purpose of the
ink, but may include water, alcohol or solvents. The solution is then heated in a vessel
until it has fully dispersed, and may be filtered once more to ensure the ink
is smooth enough.

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 TYPES OF INK

On the basis of Use On the basis of

Manufacturing

(i)Blue ink (i)Aniline Ink

(ii)Black ink (ii)Gallo-tannic Ink

(iii)Blue-Black ink

(iv)Green ink

(v)Red ink

(vi)Stamp pad ink

In this project you will learn about preparation of Aniline and Gallo-tannic ink with
respect to particular colors

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 ANILINE INK

Following substances are mixed for preparing this type of ink:

(i)Main Materials

➢ Blue-black color - Naphtha blue-black

➢ Blue color - Acid blue, Methylene blue
➢ Red color - Scarlet red, Eosin
➢ Black color - Aniline black
➢ Green color - Malachite green

Some aniline colors are also used in preparing ink which is dissolved directly in water.

(ii) Other Materials

➢ Glue: Gum Arabic (or gum acacia) is dissolved in hot water and this results in
a sticky solution. Mixing of this in an ink solution, helps in many ways :

(a)The ink turns bright.

(b)The color of ink does not fade with time.

(c)The flow of ink is maintained smooth.

➢ Glycerin: Sometimes, glycerin is also used in preparing ink. The mixing of

glycerin checks the early drying of ink. This is mainly used in preparing the
stamp pad inks.
➢ Alcohol: Spirit or alcohol is mixed in ink because it helps in :

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 (a)Quick drying of ink, and

(b)The ink does not diffuse on papers after writing.

➢ Boric or carboxylic acids: The principle of ink is organic in nature. The

breakdown of these materials spoils the ink and this causes deposition of
constituents in the fountain pen or in the ink pot. Incorporation of boric or
carbolic acid to the ink preparation checks this problem.

➢ Scented materials: The organic decay of ink gives it, sometimes, a foul
smell. To avoid this, scented materials are incorporated at the time of ink
preparation.

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 METHOD OF PREPARING ANILINE INK

● For preparing a particular-colored ink, first of all a 2.5% solution of that color
in distilled water is made.

● To this, a suitable amount of glue solution. Now the solution is mixed well and
heated for 5 minutes.

● During heating, the contents are constantly agitated.

● The solution is filtered after cooling. Filtration is a crucial procedure that is

meticulously repeated multiple times.

● Now, a small quantity of boric acid or carbolic acid, alcohol or spirit, and
scented substance has been combined with this. This preparation is filtered
again and bottled.

● Glycerin should be substituted for the alcohol in the preparation process if one
wants to obtain stamp-pad ink

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 GALLO-TANNIC INK

The following substances are used in its preparations:

(i)Chief constituents: Following substances are the chief constituents:

● Tannic and Gallic acids are used as chief constituents to get blue-black ink.
● Ferrous sulfate and hydrochloric acid also help in providing blue-black color to
the ink and check the growth of fungus.

(ii)Other materials: Other components utilized include glycerin, perfumed

materials, gum Arabic, boric acid, spirit, and alcohol. Similar to how they function in
aniline ink, these chemicals also function here. Iron-gall ink is also known as ferrous
sulfate ink since it essentially consists of a blend of gallic acid, tannic acid, and
ferrous sulfate. It is also known as Iron Gall Ink.

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 METHOD OF PREPARING GALLO-TANNIC INK

● Dissolve 250 gm of tannic acid and 80 gm of Gallic acid in about 5 liters of

distilled water.

● To this solution 250 ml dilute HCl is added.

● Dissolve in a separate container 300 mg ferrous sulfate, 20 gm carbolic acid

about 4 liters of water.

● The chosen color is dissolved in a small amount of water and added to a third
container. The three solutions are combined.

● Additionally, combine in some alcohol, scented material, and a small amount

of glue solution.

● After filtering, preserve the filtrate for a few days.

● Filter once again and store in bottles. The ink is ready for use.

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 HOW TO PREPARE INK AT HOME

● Add one drop of hot distilled water at a time to the bowl of lampblack. (You
can make your own by burning paper or wood entirely)

● When in doubt, avoid adding water, and if you do, make up for it by adding
more lampblack.

● Blend until the water is pitch-black (lampblack floats and is difficult to

dissolve). Add a little amount of gum Arabic once the water has turned inky
black.

● Stir until the gum is completely dissolved (this homemade ink should be the
same consistency as commercially prepared ink).

● Store the ink in a small glass bottle for future use. In order to make a thick
paste that can be stored in a closed container:

● Combine one egg yolk, one tablespoon of gum Arabic, ½ cup of honey, and
tablespoon of lampblack in a separate bowl.

● To use the ink, mix this paste with a small amount of water to achieve the
desired consistency.

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 BIBILOGRAPHY

This project would not have been a reality without the help of my teachers, my friends
and classmates and especially-

● Book-
Chemistry for Class XI(CBSE)

● Websites-
www.google.com
www.wikipedia.org
www.kingswoodinks.com

● TV Channel-
Discovery

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