Important: Safety Warning
This page describes trade processes that use dangerously toxic materials such as cyanide solutions, mercury amalgams, or strong acids. These processes require training, equipment, and precautions far beyond what the text describes.
This information has been left in for historical purposes but should not be acted upon.
Home › Inks › Simple Carbon Ink
Simple Carbon Ink
Dissolve 30 grains of sugar in 30 grains of water, to which add a few drops of concentrated sulphuric acid. Upon heating this mixture the sugar becomes carbonized by the acid, and when applied to the paper it leaves a coating of carbon which cannot be washed off. This Sulphate of copper and sal ammoniac, mixed stain is rendered more perfect by the decomposing action of the ink itself upon the paper, and thus resists the action of chemical agents.