Make Ink : A Forager's Guide to Natural Inkmaking

Discover the art and science of creating your own inks from nature with Make Ink: A Forager’s Guide to Natural Inkmaking. This beautifully illustrated guide transforms everyday plants, berries, and minerals into vibrant, sustainable inks―perfect for artists, calligraphers, and anyone passionate about handmade creativity.

Author Jason Logan, founder of the Toronto Ink Company, shares step-by-step instructions for sourcing natural materials, preparing pigments, and crafting inks that are both eco-friendly and deeply personal. Alongside practical recipes, you’ll find tips on tools, techniques, and color variations, plus inspiring stories from the growing community of natural ink makers.

Whether you’re a seasoned artist seeking unique hues or a beginner curious about sustainable art practices, Make Ink offers everything you need to start foraging, experimenting, and creating. This book is more than a manual―it’s an invitation to reconnect with the natural world through color.

Bring your art to life with colors born from the earth. Make Ink is your essential guide to turning nature into art. Features a foreword by Booker Prize-winning author Michael Ondaatje

Chapters include:

• A Forager’s Checklist
• What Is Ink and How Is It Made
• Natural Ink: A Basic Recipe
• Colors and Recipes
• The Ground Rules of Natural Inkmaking
• Testing Ink on Paper

Why You’ll Love This Book:

• Learn how to identify and gather plants, nuts, and minerals for ink making.
• Follow clear, tested recipes for creating a spectrum of natural colors.
• Explore the history and cultural significance of ink in art and writing.
• Embrace sustainable, eco-conscious creativity with minimal tools and materials.

Toronto Ink Company founder Jason Logan is an internationally recognized designer, creative director, author, and artist. His illustrations appear regularly in the New York Times and his fine art has been exhibited in New York City, Los Angeles, Toronto, and the Yukon. His work has been recognized by the AIGA, SPD, the Centre for Social Innovation, and the Canada Council for the Arts.

Michael Ondaatje is a celebrated poet, novelist, editor, and filmmaker, best known for his 1992 Booker Prize–winning novel The English Patient.