Lilac Purple Fountian Pen Ink Recipe

[phillieskjk]

The following recipe is a recipe for Lilac Colored fountain pen ink manufactured using water-based dyes. I have not tested this recipe yet, but I have ordered all the materials and plan on testing it as soon as they arrive. I will then update the recipe with the results. The recipe was created by me, using my knowledge about fountain pens, other FPN users' experiences, and my knowledge about chemistry from my AP Chemistry Course. I chose to make Lilac ink to match my Dark Lilac Lamy Safari that will be arriving shortly.
Materials:
Procion MX Lilac Cold Water Fabric Dye- The main source of color for the ink and the major dye in the ink.
Pure Glycerin- To increase the viscosity of the ink and make it better able to flow like normal pen ink.
Germall Preservative- To prevent the formation of SITB and increase the shelf life of the ink.
Polysorbate Tween 80 Surfactant- To make the ink flow more easily.
Distilled or De-Ionized Water- The main solvent of the ink.
Funnel- For easier pouring.
Filter Paper- To remove accidental sediments that could clog pens.
Cheap Sacrificial Test Pen (I'll be using a Jetpens Chibi)- To run initial tests of the ink.
Lots of Paper- To write on with the above pen.
Empty 30 mL Ink Bottle(s)- To store your new ink.
Blunt Tip Syringe- For the measurement and addition of glycerin.
Gloves- In case you have a dinner party later and can't have inky fingers.
50 mL Graduated Cylinder- To measure the water.
Centigram Scale- To measure the dyes and glycerin.
Safety Goggles- Standard Lab Procedure.
Lab Apron- Same as above.
50 mL Beaker- For the initial mixing of the ink.
Ring Stand- For the final filtration.
Glass Stirring Rods- To mix the parts of the ink.
Graduated Pipettes- For the measurement and insertion of the surfactant and biocide.

Procedure:
1. Measure out 30 mL of distilled water in a graduated cylinder. Add the water to the 50 mL Beaker using a funnel.
2. Use the Centigram Scale to measure out 2.00g of Procion Dye. Add the dye to the Beaker. Stir until the dye has dissolved in the water using a glass stirring rod.
3. Zero the Centigram scale with the blunt tip syringe on it. Then, use the syringe to pick up 1g of glycerin. Add the glycerin to the beaker, and stir until dissolved using a glass stirring rod.
4.Using Graduated Pipettes, add one drop of Polysorbate Surfactant and one drop of Germall Preservative to the beaker. Use a glass stirring rod to stir until dissolved.
5. Using the beaker, filter paper, and ring stand, filter the contents of the beaker into the Empty Ink Bottle. Ideally and theoretically, there will be no remaining sediment on the filter paper, but this step adds an extra level of security to protect our pens.

​6. Ink up a pen and try out the ink, adjusting levels of Surfactant and Dye to match your ideal properties of flow and color saturation. Be gradual, as you can always add more, but if you add too much surfactant the batch is essentially ruined.

This recipe is still untested, so I wouldn't go trying it in your pens just yet, but I intend to have the ink made by at the latest June 8th, and will post the results then.

[Sanjay13leo]

Waiting to see results, excited

[AD64]

I too look forward to seeing how this turns out. Lilacs are one of my favorite flowers.

 

Which shade of lilac do you imagine? Will this be more purplish or on the lavender or pink side?

[phillieskjk]

This is the shade of the dye I'm using, so I would assume the ink will look more or less similar. I may also add a little bit of Quink Black to darken it up.

[amberleadavis]

I am excited to see you results.

[phillieskjk]

Success! My sixth attempt finally produced a good looking color with no precipitates and good flow behavior. I loaded it up into some old Parker I had lying around and it's now one of my favorite inks.

[inkstainedruth]

Interesting results. I'd be curious to see how water and UV resistant your concoction is, especially since dyeing fabric usually requires some sort of mordant to use as a fixative.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[TomFPN]

It looks Great! Thanks for sharing.