Is Iron Gall Ink Toxic. How to make ink - Ingredients Cyntia Karnes (1998) Iron gall ink

How to make ink - Ingredients Cyntia Karnes (1998) Iron gall ink is essentially created by the chemical reaction between tannic acid and iron (II) sulfate in an aqueous solution. Its principal ingredients were iron sulfate, the extract of gall nuts, and a gum arabic solution. Observation with the naked eye and under magnification yield important information about the two main preservation concerns for iron Iron gall ink was the most widely used writing ink for paper from the Middle Ages to the twentieth century. This pigment is derived from an ellagic acid-Fe complex synthesized in the nectar and is likely involved in the attraction of passerine pollinators endemic to southern Africa. With time, it turns into a sepia color, which is why older letters and documents have a brown ink, not black. virtually anyone documenting something on paper. Oct 19, 2010 · We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Jun 27, 2025 · Despite its permanence, iron gall ink possesses a destructive quality known as ink corrosion. Drawing Ink With the addition of iron, oak galls make a permanent ink. May 28, 2013 · Just remember that when flushing (particularly before or after using a non-iron gall ink) to do the extra maintenance step of doing a flush of vinegar solution (white vinegar and distilled water, in the same ratios as an ammonia and water solution), then flushing well with water before doing an ammonia solution flush. As a result of the iron used to make the ink, most Iron Gall Inks are susceptible to corrosion. The Codex Sinaiticus (pictured above) is one of the earliest surviving manuscripts to be written on parchment in iron gall ink rather than carbon black ink. The method involves a reaction between tannic acid extracted from the galls and ferrous sulphate. If you surf around my blog, you'll also find reviews of some other KWZ iron gall inks, because KWZ has a number of great colors in iron gall besides blue. . If you use Pelikan’s Fount India, you should perform regular pen hygiene and flush after use. Jan 1, 2007 · Content of iron in Whatman paper with iron gall ink, either untreated, or treated with solutions of calcium (CaPhy) or magnesium (MgPhy) phytate at pH 6. Galls are pulverized and placed in boiling water to extract the tannic acid. It was, in fact, the common writing ink for centuries and was employed for most early drawings. The most common source of iron ions is vitriol (a mixture of hydrated metallic sulphates), but the recipes also attest to non-vitriolic iron-gall inks, which were prepared using filings, slags, nails or other pieces of iron. Step 9: Using a dip pen, paint brush, or quill pen and some paper (perhaps in your hand-sewn book!), have fun making words and pictures with your very own homemade iron gall ink. Iron gall ink - Chemistry Elmer Eusman (1998) By mixing tannin with iron sulfate, a water soluble ferrous tannate complex is formed. Iron gall ink (also known as common ink, standard ink, oak gall ink or iron gall nut ink) is a purple-black or brown-black ink made from iron salts and tannic acid s from vegetable sources. But with bulletproof inks, it can cause long drying times and leave your writing vulnerable to smearing even after it’s dried. They make four other aniline inks. We still recommend maintaining a good pen-cleaning regimen, the same as you would with a pigment-based ink. While there are numerous recipes for making iron gall ink, the process is simple and relies on the same basic ingredients. The chemistry of the fluid allows for deep penetration of the ink into the paper surface, making it difficult to erase. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. I like to filter it once more through the filter cloth after I have made the ink to get any large clumps out. documents, illuminated manuscripts, colored prints and maps, all suffer very serious damage as a result of the destructive effects of iron gall inks and are May 16, 2018 · The neat biblical verses were penned in iron gall ink, with the distinctive rusty hue as a clear indication of the ink used, although many other ink colours are found in the book’s text. Iron-gall ink was originally Jun 5, 2021 · While people may have used traditional iron gall inks with dip pens, certainly probably one of the worse things you could use an iron gall ink with (with a nib perspective) is a non-stainless steel nib. Home made iron gall ink goes on a bit grey and as it dries becomes a deep, rich black. From the Middle Ages to the early twentieth century, iron gall ink was the main medium used for writing in the Western world. Iron-gall ink was the primary writing ink used from 12th through the 19th centuries in the Western world. Although now less acidic, these inks can clog pens, and possibly corrode nibs. Popular with artists, architects and mapmakers, iron-gall ink is found in abundance in paper-based collections at the Library of Congress. Various plant-derived oils Sep 30, 2023 · The ink is technically looking like an ink should, so now it’s time to test your product. It reminds me of hom Iron gall ink was the most widely used writing ink for paper from the Middle Ages to the twentieth century. Just flush your nibs regularly. The result was a very dark purple or brown ink which darkened over time as the iron oxidised. This degradation is a result of two chemical processes driven by the ink’s ingredients. Gerhard Banik (1998) A major issue is often overlooked in light of the drastic statistics on deterioration of library archival holdings: important historical objects in libraries and archives, i. This is an updated look at the problem Iron Gall ink and a continuation of my initial experiment. Iron gall ink is essentially created by the chemical reaction between tannic acid and iron sulphate in an aqueous solution. Mar 5, 2017 · Iron gall (IG) ink has been around in some form or fashion for about 2,000 years, and it has been widely used since about the Fifth Century. Visual assessment and degree of damage are used to evaluate the condition of ink and support, as the preservation requirements of both must be considered together. Oct 3, 2010 · So, I'd say, maybe she just died of iron II sulphate poisoning, because I think if you did have a very intense intake of that, it could be toxic. All right, so it hasn’t been made with the finest of ingredients, and it is definitely not as deep black or easy to write with as iron gall ink – but it still works. This ink was formed by reacting gallic acid (derived from tannins extracted from gall-nuts) with iron (II) sulfate. It is a permanent ink that is made from combining iron salts with tannic acids extracted from oak tree galls. The traditional methods of producing iron gall ink resulted in an acidic mixture, not ideal for long-term This ink is made using an original recipe, from gall apples, gum arabic and iron sulphate. Originally black, iron-gall ink turns brown with time as the acid eats into the paper with damaging results. Gall nuts were the most common source of tannic acid because they had the highest concentration of the compound; however, the compound can be found in smaller quantities in other nuts, pomegranates, and Apr 6, 2025 · Iron gall ink has been commonly used in the production of European manuscripts from the 9 th century until the 20 th century. Iron gall ink (also known as common ink, standard ink, oak gall ink or iron gall nut ink) is a purple-black or brown-black ink made from iron salts and tannic acids from vegetable sources. Tannins belong to a group of molecules known as polyphenols and can be taken from different parts of Aug 13, 2015 · See how changing the ratios of the ingredients changes the ink. The ink would once have been used with a quill and later a dipping pen. Technical photography is a powerful tool for examining iron gall ink, commonly used in historical manuscripts and documents. In general Glycerine Ink Homemade Ink India ink #1 India Ink #2 Ink for drawing and writing Ink for writing with a Quill Ink Powder #1 Ink Powder #2 Ink Sticks Chinese Ink Sticks Japanese Ink Sticks Iron-gall ink #1 Iron-gall ink #2 Ink without gall-nuts Japan Ink - another formula Jewish Scribe's Ink Making the ink-stone Pearl Ink gum arabic Recipe Oct 14, 2022 · Iron gall ink has been used throughout history, for about 2,000 years now, in fact. Photographs Step Oct 11, 2012 · Collaborative research on iron gall ink corrosion chemistry, led by the Library of Congress. Black is necessary here because mixing pigments rarely produces a true black color. Iron gall ink was developed in the 4th century. Observation with the naked eye and under magnification yield important information about the two main preservation concerns for iron Iron Gall Ink - history & authentic recipes of the most popular drawing and writing ink the Renaissance. On the other hand, when light of different colors is mixed, additive color results. Oak galls have been used in the production of ink since at least the time of the Roman Empire. Funny you should say this - I have actually emailed Lamy a few weeks ago and they responded that it does contain some amount of iron-gall ink that they claim is a safe amount Most modern iron-gall inks are pretty mild, but some have reputations for being corrosive or difficult to clean out. About the “gall” in traditional iron gall ink: Other articles where iron gall ink is discussed: pen drawing: …third important ink was an iron gall, or chemical, ink. Since I have a lot Apr 29, 2025 · Traditional iron gall inks were highly acidic and could eat through paper and corrode metal nibs, but modern iron gall inks are completely safe to use in fountain pens. You know the tiny little chemist trapped inside your brain who's been wondering how we make ink, and if you could too, and how you would if you could? Well, your inner chemist need wonder no more, because Scribal Workshop now offers a make your own iron gall ink kit. Iron Gall inks had been the standard for writing ink from the 5th Century to the 19th Century. Stark recipe works in some fountain pens as does the pomegranate ink (the latter is more gray, though on some papers it does go black. I'm partial to KWZ May 6, 2025 · Extra Fine Nib Ink Review: Tintenlabor Iron Gall 1 Purple / Black This is review #336 in my series. This process involves using various types of light to reveal details about the ink’s composition, condition, and effects on the underlying paper or parchment. Melianthus nectar contains a natural analog of iron-gall ink, which humans have used since at least medieval times. This kit contains: -All the dry ingredients needed to make iron gall ink -A pair of gloves -Filter cloth -Plastic Spoon -Ink May 23, 2018 · The neat biblical verses were penned in iron gall ink, with the distinctive rusty hue as a clear indication of the ink used, although many other ink colors are found in the book’s text. But there’s something to be said for the artistic variety and richness of the shades of iron-gall ink and how it has oxidized with time. Apr 21, 2016 · Despite the presence of iron gall in the mixture, the special formulation allows it to be much more fountain pen friendly than would usually be the case with iron gall inks. The image should have darkened with time and small grains of black precipitate should be seen. They can dry out a little more rapidly than dye-based inks you may be used to, but if you flush them weekly (or at least write with them daily) you shouldn't have a problem. Unlike carbon ink, it etches the writing surface and can’t be easily washed off, q Aug 25, 2012 · You really don't have to worry about commercial fountain pen iron gall ink. Check out our iron gall powder for ink selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our ink shops. One of the earliest recipes for oak gall ink comes from Pliny the Elder, however, a lot of historical manuscripts written with this ink have suffered terrible damage caused by the acid eating through the support. When written with iron gall, ink is often a dark color, but it fades to the brown tones of rust (chemically, it forms the same compounds as rust). Mar 26, 2010 · Can anyone here offer specific information about the differences among currently available iron gall inks that pertain to clogging and corrosion? For example, which FG ink among R&K, MB, and Diamine would be less likely to harm a pen because the particulate matter is smaller and/or the pH is Oct 3, 2010 · So, I'd say, maybe she just died of iron II sulphate poisoning, because I think if you did have a very intense intake of that, it could be toxic. Learn how to make and use it Iron Gall ink was the standard ink used in Europe from the 5th to 19th centuries. May 8, 2021 · Gutenberg Urkundentinte G10 schwarz (iron gall) This ink is made by Gutenberg GmbH (Läufer & Gutenberg). It's quite safe. When properly made, iron gall ink is blue-black and permanent. Some of their inks do test pretty acidic, but it is widely considered one of the safest bets for all types of fountain pens. The primary active components in tannin are gallotannic and gallic acid. Sep 16, 2022 · The causes of these acid-base and redox reactions are also assessed. Her supporters wrote to her using two common substances: alum (hydrated potassium aluminium sulfate) or gall ink (tannic acid from parasitic wasps in oak trees galls). Notice how there are 12. Iron Gall ink was the standard ink used in Europe from the 5th to 19th centuries. An ink, first used for writing, made from a suspension of iron-salts in gallic acid obtained from the nutgall, a growth on certain oak trees caused by disease. If you buy this expecting a true black, as so many iron galls are, you will be disappointed. Nov 15, 2021 · Oak galls are rich in tannic acid, and many different types of oak galls can be used to make ink. The biggest two are corrosion and precipitation. Because of its solubility, the ink is able to penetrate the paper surface, making it difficult to erase. Dec 20, 2020 · Inspired by the redox reactions in the preparation of the iron gall ink that has been used in Europe since the Middle Ages, we developed a technology for forming the oil-in-water emulsions, without any surfactants and emulsifiers, by homogenizing a mixture of tannic acid, gallic acid, Fe(D-gluconate)2, and natural oil, which are all approved as cosmetic ingredients. Diamine is a reputable ink manufacturer with a reputation for non-toxic, non-clogging inks that write wet and look great. ) This is the basis for the CMYK color system used in ink jet and laser printers. Jun 5, 2019 · Stir this all together thoroughly and you have made ink. Permanent archival blue-black ink based on an iron-gall formulation, as used by registrars and the clergy for official documents. Aug 29, 2023 · If you want to write elegant pointed pen calligraphy with hairline upstrokes, iron gall ink is a must-try! This historical ink is pure joy. May 8, 2014 · Iron-gall ink was used for about 1400 years and only lost favor in the mid 1800s when India ink replaced it (because it was cheaper and easier to make and produced a more consistent, longer lasting black). Dec 16, 2020 · Hundreds of years ago, iron gall inks were very acidic, and could cause paper to dissolve or disintegrate. If you want to try it out yourself, it's probably better to plan ahead to avoid the issues I experienced. Upon addition of the iron(II) sulfate to cup 2, a dark color appears – the additional iron makes the reaction produce more of the iron gall ink Step D. This ink was corrosive and not suitable for the later metal nibs of pens, but at the time of its use, the ink filled the requirement of being the right viscosity to adhere to parchment as well as still being able to flow through the nib of the quill. With iron (II) sulfate, these tannic acids produce a black pigment, called ferrogallotannate or ferrotannate, upon exposure to oxygen. Iron gall ink has been used for the last several centuries, and some formulations can be extremely corrosive to documents. Mar 29, 2019 · Iron gall ink was the ink of choice in the Western world for well over a millennium. It was the standard ink formulation used in Europe for the 1400-year period between the 5th and 19th centuries, remained in widespread use well into the 20th century, and is still sold today. Here's the YouTube video: Post-recording notes: German name: Sondertinte: Eisengallustinte 1, purpur / schwarz This and five other iron gall inks were kindly sent to me all the way from Switzerland Mar 1, 2013 · Iron gall ink was popular for several centuries until the mid-nineteenth century, so no one considering paper conservation should ignore its effect on paper structure. This process, known as ink corrosion, is very difficult to arrest without further loss or change to the appearance of Mar 5, 2017 · Meanwhile, iron gall ink was not used exclusively for writing, some well-known artists such as Van Gogh and Victor Hugo used the ink for drawing. Iron gall ink formulations have been used for around 1,500 years, and many of the world’s most historic documents have been written using it. It provided durable writing for legal texts and illuminated manuscripts. This complex is not water-soluble, contributing to its indelibility as a writing ink. How can I tell if the tines on my nib are misaligned? Many nibs across multiple brands don’t work well right out of the box. Iron gall ink (also known as common ink, standard ink, oak gall ink or iron gall nut ink) is a purple-black or brown-black ink made from iron salts and tannic acids from vegetable sources. Used by scribes and artists for centuries, this ink has a unique property of oxidizing over time, which means that its color deepens, adding elegance and antiquity to the script. The other ingredients improve the ink quality, and using the pure tannic and gallic acids would most definitely produce a better quality ink, but it would be more traditional to make it with wasp galls. The Dr. iron gall ink drawing by Leonardo Da Vinci image credit: leonardoda-vinci. This can be a good thing with ordinary fountain pen inks since it makes them look sharper and more vibrant. When in use, you will notice the ink is initially laid down as a blue-black color with strong tones of blue that fade to grey over time. The recipes for ink were a closely guarded secret in ancient and medieval times, but it is possible to reconstruct them. The alum letters would be developed by soaking the letter in water, and the gall ink would be developed by soaking the letter in iron sulfate solution. Iron gall ink (also known as common ink, standard ink, oak gall ink or iron gall nut ink) is a purple-black or brown-black ink made from iron salts and tannic acids extracted from plant sources. You'd have to drink the stuff en masse for it to be toxic. Gall nuts were the most common source of tannic acid because they had the highest concentration of the compound; however, the compound can be found in smaller quantities in other nuts, pomegranates, and Apr 7, 2021 · The result was what is called iron gall ink. According to google translate, Urkunden means certificate, and tinte, ink, so Gutenberg is a certificate ink. [2] Gall nuts are a source of tannin in the production of iron gall ink. The traditional methods of producing iron gall ink resulted in an acidic mixture, not ideal for long-term archival writing or storing the ink in fountain pens. IG is a permanent ink made from combining iron salts with tannic acid (often extracted from Oak Galls). 5 grams of hydrochloric acid in the ink -- that is the component most likely to eat your pens alive. org The galls used to make iron gall ink are rich in tannic acid. You probably have more iron in your blood stream than is in the ink. Assessment of condition of iron gall ink begins by documenting the physical appearance of the ink. As a reducing agent, it participates in the reduction of chromate in Dec 16, 2020 · Unlike most iron gall inks, Walker’s Copperplate Ink fades into a beautiful, watercolor-like gray when it dries – even for heavy downstrokes. India ink is also used in medical applications. One of the most high-profile examples of the fading of iron gall ink involves America’s Charters of Freedom—the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the Constitution— all three of which are in appreciable danger of being lost through the fading of their ink. It is commonly applied with a paintbrush (such as an ink brush) or a dip pen. It is waterproof. Nothing toxic in iron gall ink. Historically, scribes made this ink by extracting tannic acid from oak galls (caused by gall wasp larvae on trees), mixing it with iron sulphate and binding it with gum arabic (there are variations on this recipe). Nov 6, 2025 · The solution? Research into iron gall ink corrosion continues and, as yet, there is no definitive solution. No, I would think iron gall inks were, in a sense, really intended for quills, as they're really not great for old non-gold dip pens. Jun 11, 2024 · Preparing my own iron gall ink was a fun experiment in nature exploration, chemistry, calligraphy, and feeding the tinkering spirit. This ink will remain legible for hundreds of years. Sep 25, 2013 · This does not mean you can leave iron gall ink in the pen without cleaning for extended periods of time, but that's applicable to most inks anyway; it's just that iron gall ink has a little direr consequences. Finally, we detail the state-of-the-ar t conservation treatments used to mitigate iron gall ink deterioration, Traditionally, as the name suggests, iron gall ink was made solely from fermented wasp galls and iron sulfate, the wasp galls providing the crude tannic and gallic acids. Its colour when first applied to the… Iron gall ink (also known as common ink, standard ink, oak gall ink or iron gall nut ink) is a purple-black or brown-black ink made from iron salts and tannic acids from vegetable sources. I did a review of KWZ Iron Gall #5 here, if you want to see some photos and read a little about it. Feb 12, 2018 · My initial article on Iron Gall inks sparked a lot of debate and inquiry. I've not come across anyone poisoning themselves that way, but I think theoretically, it could be done. However, "modern" iron gall inks are formulated to be more stable and more fountain pen friendly. It is actively used in the manufacture of ink including iron gall ink. When exposed to oxygen a ferric tannate pigment is formed. Its indelibility and rich dark tone were desirable traits for artists, scribes, letter-writers, bookkeepers, i. Compared to other inks, such as the iron gall ink previously common in Europe, India ink is noted for its deep, rich black colour. (this part is extremely messy and not entirely necessary, but it helps smooth out the ink concistency) 6 days ago · Chemical Properties light blue or light blue-green solid Uses Iron (II) sulfate heptahydrate is used as a precursor to prepare other iron compounds such as a lawn conditioner and a mordant for wool dyeing. It's just iron particles, so unless you breathe it into your lungs or chug it, you'll be fine. Oak galls, ferrous sulfate, gum arabic. The preferred way to prolong the existence of originals written with iron gall ink is to store them in the appropriate environment, in particular in relative humidity under 60%, and also make sure they are handled carefully. The ink can render manuscripts and other documents illegible and inaccessible by causing loss of text, bleeding, fading, strike-through and acid migration. The image painted should be a very light gray (not shown in photograph) Step E. In printers cyan, magenta, yellow and black inks are mixed to produce the full range of colors. This is an ink that straddles the boundary between dip pen ink and fountain pen ink, so you'll have to be careful what you use it in. Oct 18, 2012 · Another option is to make your own iron gall ink. Ink corrosion - Chemistry Prof. Most modern iron-gall inks are pretty mild, but some have reputations for being corrosive or difficult to clean out. Aug 15, 2016 · Re: Favorite Permanent / Iron Gall Ink KWZ Iron Gall #5 would be my first choice. Click here to see test results for Diamine Registrar's Blue-Black Ink. Jul 29, 2012 · Iron gall ink formulas from ~1900s forwards have addressed these issues and even all of the thin paper manuscripts of this era and afterwards I have seen are in good or excellent condinition from the ink's point of view. Dr. Many drawings and manuscripts executed with this ink are, as a result, often extremely fragile. Unfortunately, the ink ingredients contain corrosive transition metal ions and acids that cause severe damage to the paper carrier. I’ve seen reports of pretty severe corrosion caused by both Organics Studio Aristotle and Diamine Registrar’s Blue-Black, but both were from a while ago, so they may have been reformulated since then. The ink in the paper rusts the same way any metal would when it is exposed to changes in temperature and humidity. Apr 2, 2023 · Iron gall ink, composed of tannin-rich galls and iron salts, became a dominant writing tool in medieval Europe. A small Jul 9, 2024 · Iron gall ink has — you guessed it — a lot of iron, which can hurt humans if we consume an excess of it. A good rule of thumb is not to ingest ink and to try and keep any little ones from ingesting it, too. Feb 21, 2023 · Smoother, premium papers like Rhodia aren’t as absorbent, so more of the ink dries on top of the paper instead of absorbing into the fibers. However, iron gall ink is corrosive and damages paper over time (Waters 1940). e. It's two central components are tannic acid and iron sulfate. Iron gall inks became prominent in the early 12th century; they were used for centuries and were widely thought to be the best type of ink. I like blue, and this is a great color. Feb 23, 2022 · If you can’t find them, you can buy oak gall powder/whole oak galls online [1]. Oct 12, 2025 · Finally, iron gall inks should be avoided as these are very prone to clog a feed. 0 and deacidified using calcium bicarbonate. Sep 19, 2023 · Pair it with a flexible nib like the Brause EF66, and watch magic happen on your paper! Iron gall ink has a rich historical connection to the art of calligraphy. Making and Using Ink One of the most common writing inks is iron gall ink, which was used for centuries in the Middle East and Europe and can be easily made from an iron salt and oak galls.

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