Make Ink

“The pigments he concocts from these humble beginnings are as fun to make as they are eye-opening to work with . . . the world never quite looks the same.” —MarthaStewart.com

A 2018 Best Book of the Year—The Guardian

The Toronto Ink Company was founded in 2014 by designer and artist Jason Logan as a citizen science experiment to make eco-friendly, urban ink from street-harvested pigments. In Make Ink, Logan delves into the history of inkmaking and the science of distilling pigment from the natural world. Readers will learn how to forage for materials such as soot, rust, cigarette butts, peach pits, and black walnut, then how to mix, test, and transform these ingredients into rich, vibrant inks that are sensitive to both place and environment. Organized by color, and featuring lovely minimalist photography throughout, Make Ink combines science, art, and craft to instill the basics of ink making and demonstrate the beauty and necessity of engaging with one of mankind’s oldest tools of communication.

“Logan demystifies the process, encouraging experimentation and taking a fresh look at urban environments.” —NPR

“The book is full of inspiration and takes a lot of the mystery out of ink making, at least at its simplest level. And it also reminds me why I love ink—any ink or liquid color as much as I do.” —The Well-Appointed Desk

“Quite a few recipes . . . that use color from the kitchen: carrots, black beans, blueberries, turmeric, and onion skins all make beautiful ink colors.” —Design Observer

“Make Ink opens up about methods, providing an open source guide to DIY ink.” —CityLab