How to Make Yellow Ink

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Things You'll Need

  • 2 tsp. ground turmeric

  • 5 tbsp. isopropyl alcohol (91 percent)

  • 1 small glass marble

  • 2 empty baby food jars with lids

  • Small cone coffee filter (#4)

Turmeric is used as an inexpensive substitute for saffron's yellow coloring.

You can make yellow ink by combining a couple of common household items. Colorful inks can be derived from naturally occurring pigments. The deep golden color of ground turmeric spice creates an ink with a bright yellow hue that has the ability to glow under ultraviolet light. Fully mixing and filtering the natural ink gives it a more even yellow color. Save money on art supplies and give your colors a personal touch by making your own bright yellow turmeric ink.

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Step 1

Add the turmeric, alcohol and marble to a small baby food jar before securing the lid carefully. Use stale turmeric that was ground more than six months ago to reduce the smell of the ink.

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Step 2

Shake the baby food jar vigorously for 20 seconds to thoroughly mix the ingredients. Allow the mixture to rest inside the sealed jar for a couple of hours.

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Step 3

Insert the narrow end of a coffee filter cone into the opening of a second baby food jar.

Step 4

Pour the turmeric and alcohol mixture into the coffee funnel slowly so that the level of liquid in the cone does not rise above the rim of the jar's opening.

Step 5

Seal the jar of filtered yellow ink until you are ready to apply it.

Tip

Shine a UV light on the jar of yellow ink in a dark room to see it glow brightly.

Warning

Alcohol ink is flammable and should always be made and used away from open flames and high heat.

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