Natural inks hold a lot of appeal - they come in gorgeous colors, they are fun to use, and most importantly, they don’t share the same ethical and environmental concerns as their synthetic counterparts. In fact, when grown correctly, they can help restore soil, improve water quality, and provide food and habitat for the local wildlife. But the unfortunate reality is that they will always be ephemeral in nature, fading with exposure to bright sunlight over time.  With some natural materials, this can take decades; with others, mere months. This has nothing to do with quality - both natural and synthetic dyes behave this way, it’s just that synthetic dyes tend to be more stable.

Natural inks are not the right choice for everyone. 

That’s ok - as an artist, I understand the want and need for permanent, archival ink. If that is your goal, do not buy this ink!

That may sound funny coming from someone whose income relies on selling this stuff - but your art is important to me, and I want you to be happy with the results!