Fresh Walnut Ink

[Paddler]

Our black walnut trees are beginning to drop a few immature nuts to the ground now. These are just right for making some early ink that is rich in sugars (and probably thousands of other organic compounds) and thick enough for my juicier dip pens and not-so-friendly paper. Last year's walnut ink is beginning to look a bit mousy and so over the side it goes, to be replaced with the warmer toned fresh stuff.

[Scooby921]

Interesting. I grew up with a grove of black walnut trees in my back yard. I'm familiar with them staining everything, but never knew they could be pressed to make an ink.

[azkid]

DIY ink sounds so cool! Would love to hear how you do it.

[fountainpagan]

Paddler, in order to prevent your walnut ink to get moldy insert two, or three, cloves in the bottle, depending how big it is.

[Paddler]

I will try that this time. I have been using ethanol, but it wants to make the ink feather.
I will also try mouthwash. It could work also.

[Paddler]

DIY ink sounds so cool! Would love to hear how you do it.

I published my method in this very sub-forum under the title Making Walnut Ink. I can't figure out how to copy the link, so you will have to do a search.

[fountainpagan]

I have a nalgene bottle since 2016, and the cloves do the job :)

[Paddler]

I have a nalgene bottle since 2016, and the cloves do the job :)

Great! I will try adding cloves to my next batch of ink.