How to Make Oakgall Ink?

How to Make Oakgall Ink?

Recipe by Maydi Díaz from SundayScriptorium.

Ingredients:

  • 1 ounce of Oakgalls
  • A small piece of natural linen + twine
  • 12 ounces of Rainwater
  • A 12 ounce glass jar (or larger)
  • Cheesecloth
  • 1/4 ounce of powdered Iron 2 Sulfate
  • 1/2 ounce of powdered Gum Arabic
  • 1/2 ounce of White Vinegar

(Avoid the use of any metal. The acidic nature of this recipe may corrode it faster.)

 
Oak Gallnuts

Preparation:

  1. With a mortar and pestle, crush the oakgalls into small pieces.
  2. Wrap them in linen, gently tied with twine.
  3. Put the oakgall linen pouch in a sealed jar with the rainwater for 6-7 days. (I recommend the standard sized mason jar, but anything that seals will work.)
  4. Transfer to a pot and boil until the 12 ounces reduce to 8.
  5. Use cheesecloth to strain after boiling.
  6. Add the iron sulfate, gum arabic and vinegar and let it cool.
  7. Once the temperature has decreased, strain again before bottling and/or using your new ink.
 
Buy Maydi's oak gall ink here
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1 comment

Great lesson! Thank you!!!!

Eva Subrtova

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