Is Natural Ink Right For You?

I’ll come out and say it: natural ink isn’t right for every artist.

They are beautiful, fun to work with, and have a positive impact on the environment. They require experimentation, which can fuel creativity in new and exciting ways. They’re quirky, and require more care than pigment-based ink.

Below is a FAQ-style dive into our Plant + Mineral Watercolor Ink, so you know exactly what to expect when learning to work with this medium! For the basics on how to use the ink (aka the fun stuff), visit this page!

The Properties of Natural Ink

Safety Considerations

Before we begin, let’s talk about the safety of our ink.

This ink is not suitable for use by children. It is not for consumption or for use on the body. It is strictly for use as a watercolor ink on paper.

For those with skin or natural fragrance sensitivities, note that this ink is preserved with a low concentration of clove bud and sweet orange essential oils, which help limit bacterial growth. Both are diluted well within IFRA’s safety guidelines.

Longevity of Dye-Based Ink

On paper or fabric, dye-based inks, whether natural or synthetic, are not archival, and will fade over time with light exposure. Some dye sources, such as walnut, provide incredibly long-lasting color; others, like amaranth, degrade with exposure to light fairly quickly.

Our ink is not archival, but there are steps that can be taken to improve longevity.

  • use quality, acid-free paper

  • display under UV resistant glass

  • limit exposure to direct sunlight or harsh artificial light

  • photograph or make prints of the original artwork

Ink Stability + Experimentation

This ink is still in its experimental stage, so color stability for each ink is still being tested. This means that over time, the color of the ink can change while still inside the bottle. Please refer to each individual color for notes on stability.

Storage Tips

  • store in a cool, dark place

  • ensure cap is screwed tightly in place to limit oxidation

Color Variation Between Batches

Because this is a natural product, some variation in color is to be expected. I do everything in my power to make each batch as close to each other in color as possible, but if you’re looking for an identical color, make sure lot numbers match.