carbon-based and made from soot or lampblack

Ingredients

soot, lampblack, gum, animal glue, water

Preparation Steps

Original Recipe Text

The ink is water-based and carbon-based. It is produced by mixing soot or lampblack with a binding agent consisting of a certain gum and animal glue. This combination keeps the carbon particles in suspension to ensure they adhere to the paper surface (p. 5). The soot is derived from lamp oil and the process involves pounding and grinding the soot into a fine powder (p. 8-9). The formulation may also involve components that serve as carriers, colorants, and additives to manage flow and thickness (p. 4).

Evidence

"Malay traditional ink is carbon-based and made from soot or lampblack, mix with a certain gum and animal glue as binding agent to keep the carbon particles in suspension, and adhered to paper (Wan Ali 1988)."

Remarks

Carbon ink has the distinct advantage of being chemically stable; it does not fade over time even in sunlight or when bleached, and it does not threaten the strength of the paper (p. 5). However, soot ink is not ideal for permanence in tropical environments as it tends to smudge in humid and hot conditions (p. 9). Scribes had to periodically replenish the ink by dipping the nib into an external inkwell (p. 3).