Has anyone made Pokeweed ink?

Dipping my toe into something that is unfamiliar.

I have read historical reports of both gall ink and pokeweed ink being something created in the past for ink and dying. I've read that the purple ink dries to an orange color with time but can possibly be delayed by a fermenting process.

Is this something that anybody has done or understands the process? Is it fairly beginner friendly?

I'm thinking of creating a handmade card with natural ink but am unsure of how big of a project I am taking on with this crafty idea.

Ink needs itself and a binder. I haven't made exactly pokeweed ink, but I have made walnut ink (which is a complete dye and all it needs is low heat reduction and something to inhibit fungi) but as a Maker myself, I suspect... Hmmm. Pink .... Acid base..... Orange where...... Yeah. It's might turn orange because it naturally breaks down into acidic components.

Try this as an experiment even though I have no idea if it will work. Get as many berries as you can, smash and strain skins and seeds. Like get a LOT.

Put that juice in a pot that you don't care about eating from ever again and doesn't react, maybe stainless steel but if you have ceramic even better. Drop a source of calcium in there as a ph buffer, like tums or oyster shell if you have chickens. Reduce the water out of the juice extra low and extra slow. You want it hot enough for some foggy steam like from tea, but no bubbles. Too hot and it will get destroyed. Do this OUTSIDE. Mature pokeweed contains arsenic in small amounts, but you don't want to breathe arsenic steam in concentration.  After it cools, put a couple drop of clove oil or some salt and transfer into a container.

If it's not thick enough, you can reheat till warm and add tiny amounts of honey, egg white, or any of the thickening gums until it's good. You'll know it's good when it's easy to draw/write/paint with.

Best of luck. I can't guarantee anything but if you have the means, try it.  If it works, let us know!

There's several leads on the net. I really liked this one. It includes methods, fermenting ink, how the color changes over time, ink stability, talk about pH, and adding iron.
https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/120765-making-fermented-pokeberry-ink/

I'm kind of fascinated by pokeweed, I'm one of those lucky people who gets creeping numbness if I touch the stuff. I'm not sure if I'd touch your card or not!

K Kaba wrote: I'm one of those lucky people who gets creeping numbness if I touch the stuff. I'm not sure if I'd touch your card or not!

I did not know that was a thing!!!

Uhh...

Might be rethinking this plan for a gift, but perhaps a fun experiment is still in order. :)

I'm not sure how common it is, but it's less common than people who don't react to poison ivy? I have several people who I can ask to remove poke for me, but they all come to me for the leaves o three.

As a kid I loved to play with the beautiful poke weed berries.  A lovely magenta color.

I am not sure if I used them to write stuff though that was too long ago.

I might have dyed stuff with the liquid.

And, our family used to eat poke salat, every spring. So, I'd just advise a 'proceed with caution' approach, until you know if/ how it affects you & yours.