Making Ink Using Coffee: A Natural Alternative

Quick Answer

• Gather your supplies: Used coffee grounds, water, and a heat source.
• Simmer the grounds: Boil used coffee grounds in water for at least 30 minutes.
• Strain carefully: Filter out all the grounds for a smooth ink.
• Concentrate the ink: Reduce the liquid further for a darker, richer color.
• Test your ink: Dip a pen or brush to see the shade and flow.
• Store it right: Keep it in a sealed container in the fridge.

Who This Is For

• Crafters and artists looking for a natural, eco-friendly medium.
• DIY enthusiasts who enjoy experimenting with homemade supplies.
• Anyone curious about repurposing common household items for creative projects.

What to Check First

• Coffee Grounds: Make sure you have enough used grounds. The more you have, the darker your ink can be. Fresh grounds work too, but used ones are a great way to reduce waste.
• Water Quality: Tap water is usually fine. If your tap water is heavily treated or has a strong taste, consider using filtered water. It won’t change the color much, but it can affect the overall purity.
• Heat Source: You’ll need a stovetop or a portable burner. Consistency is key here, so make sure your heat source is reliable. I usually just use my trusty camp stove for this.
• Straining Material: Cheesecloth, a fine-mesh sieve, or even a clean coffee filter will work. The finer the material, the less sediment will end up in your ink. This is crucial for a smooth writing experience.
• Storage Container: A small glass jar with a tight-fitting lid is ideal. Make sure it’s clean and dry before you start.

To start making your coffee ink, you’ll need a good supply of used coffee grounds. If you don’t have enough saved up, you can easily purchase more, like this bulk bag of coffee grounds, to ensure you have plenty for a rich, dark ink.

Peet's Coffee, Medium Roast Ground Coffee, 100% Arabica Coffee - Breakfast Blend 28 Ounce Bag

• Contains one (1) 28 Ounce Bag of Peet's French Roast Ground 100% Arabica Coffee
• Flavor and Roast: Medium Roast. Flavor notes of citrus and hints of brown sugar and cocoa.
• Brewing Methods: Our ground coffee is perfectly suited to make drip or a pour over in your Chemex. For other brewing methods - espresso, cold brew, or French press - consider our whole bean coffees and griding at home
• Sourcing With Impact: The coffee you buy can impact the welfare of the people and planet. Peet’s is actively engaged in driving positive impact in communities where our coffees are grown
• Rich. Complex. Incomparable. Masters of our craft for over 50 years, we hand roast the very best coffees in the world.

Buy on Amazon

Step-by-Step: Brewing Your Coffee Ink

1. Collect Your Grounds: Gather a good amount of used coffee grounds. A few days’ worth usually does the trick for a decent batch.

• What “good” looks like: A substantial pile of damp grounds.
• Common mistake: Not having enough grounds. This leads to a very pale, weak ink. Start with more than you think you need.

2. Add Water: Place the coffee grounds in a saucepan and add enough water to cover them generously. A ratio of about 1 part grounds to 4 parts water is a good starting point.

• What “good” looks like: Grounds fully submerged with plenty of water around them.
• Common mistake: Using too little water. This can make the mixture too thick and hard to strain later.

3. Bring to a Simmer: Place the saucepan on your heat source and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Avoid a rolling boil, which can sometimes make the ink cloudy.

• What “good” looks like: Small bubbles gently rising to the surface.
• Common mistake: Boiling too hard. This can evaporate the water too quickly and scorch the grounds, leading to a bitter smell and potentially a burnt flavor in the ink.

4. Simmer and Stir: Let the mixture simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. The longer you simmer, the darker and more concentrated the color will become.

• What “good” looks like: The water turning a deep brown, similar to strong brewed coffee.
• Common mistake: Not simmering long enough. This results in a weak, watery ink that might not be dark enough for your needs. Patience is key here.

5. Cool Down: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the mixture cool down significantly. Trying to strain hot liquid is messy and dangerous.

• What “good” looks like: The liquid is no longer steaming and is safe to handle.
• Common mistake: Skipping the cooling step. Hot liquid can cause burns and make the straining process difficult.

6. Strain the Grounds: Carefully pour the cooled mixture through your chosen straining material (cheesecloth, sieve, coffee filter) into a clean bowl or container. You might need to do this in batches.

• What “good” looks like: A dark liquid free of any solid coffee grounds.
• Common mistake: Not straining thoroughly. Any remaining grounds will clog your pen or brush and make the ink unusable. Squeeze out as much liquid as possible.

7. Concentrate Further (Optional): If the ink isn’t as dark as you’d like, return the strained liquid to the saucepan. Simmer it again, uncovered, to evaporate some of the water and concentrate the color. Watch it closely!

• What “good” looks like: The liquid visibly thickens and darkens.
• Common mistake: Over-concentrating. If you reduce it too much, it can become thick and pasty, making it hard to work with. Stop when you reach your desired shade.

8. Final Strain (If Concentrated): If you concentrated the ink, give it one last fine strain to catch any tiny particles that might have formed.

• What “good” looks like: Perfectly smooth, dark liquid.
• Common mistake: Forgetting this step after concentrating. New sediment can form during the second simmer.

9. Test Your Ink: Dip a calligraphy pen, dip pen, or paintbrush into the ink. Write or draw on a scrap piece of paper to check the color, flow, and consistency.

• What “good” looks like: A satisfying shade of brown that flows smoothly from your writing tool.
• Common mistake: Not testing before committing to a project. You might find it’s too light, too thick, or not the right shade.

10. Store Properly: Pour the finished ink into your clean, airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator to prevent mold and spoilage.

• What “good” looks like: A sealed container holding your dark, natural ink.
• Common mistake: Leaving it at room temperature or in an unsealed container. This is a recipe for mold growth and wasted ink.

Common Mistakes (and What Happens If You Ignore Them)

Decision Rules

• If your ink is too pale, then simmer it longer because more simmering concentrates the coffee pigment.
• If your ink has sediment, then strain it again through a finer material because residual grounds will clog your tools.
• If your ink smells burnt, then you likely boiled it too hard or for too long without enough water; try starting over with fresh grounds and a gentler simmer.
• If your ink feels too thick to write with, then add a tiny bit of water and stir well because you may have reduced it too much.
• If you want a blacker ink, then use darker roasted coffee grounds or add a small amount of iron solution (like a mordant) after straining and cooling (use with caution and research safety).
• If your ink is drying out in the container, then add a few drops of rubbing alcohol or a pinch of salt as a preservative before refrigerating.
• If you are using this ink for permanent art, then consider adding a fixative after the ink is dry, as coffee ink can fade over time.
• If you notice mold, then discard the batch and start again, ensuring thorough cleaning of all equipment and proper refrigeration.
• If you want to experiment with different shades, then try using different roasts of coffee (light, medium, dark) as a starting point.
• If your ink is clumping, then it’s likely too concentrated or has dried particles; try re-wetting with a little distilled water and re-straining.

FAQ

How long does coffee ink last?

Stored properly in a sealed container in the refrigerator, coffee ink can last for several weeks, sometimes even a couple of months. Keep an eye out for any signs of mold or off-smells.

Can I use instant coffee?

You can, but the results might be different. Instant coffee is already concentrated, so you’d use less water. It might produce a different hue and consistency than brewed coffee grounds.

What kind of pens work best with coffee ink?

Dip pens, calligraphy nibs, and brushes generally work well. Ballpoint pens are usually too fine and might get clogged easily. Fountain pens can be tricky; it’s best to use them with caution and clean them thoroughly afterward.

How can I make the ink darker?

Simmer the grounds for a longer period. You can also use darker roasted coffee beans for a more intense color. Reducing the liquid further by simmering uncovered will also deepen the shade.

Will the ink smell like coffee?

Yes, it will have a faint coffee aroma, especially when it’s wet. The smell usually dissipates as the ink dries.

Is coffee ink permanent?

Coffee ink is a natural dye and is not inherently permanent like some commercial inks. It can fade over time, especially when exposed to sunlight. For archival purposes, consider using it on pieces that won’t be exposed to harsh light or explore natural fixatives.

Can I use this for food-safe projects?

No, this ink is not food-safe. It’s intended for artistic and crafting purposes only.

What if my ink is too watery?

You can reduce it further by simmering it uncovered to evaporate more water. Be careful not to overdo it, or it can become too thick.

What This Page Does NOT Cover (and Where to Go Next)

• Archival permanence testing: This guide focuses on making the ink; detailed fade resistance is a separate topic.
• Commercial coffee ink brands: We’re all about the DIY here, not store-bought options.
• Advanced ink modification: Techniques involving specific mordants or binders for enhanced properties.

If you’re interested in these, you’ll want to look into art supply resources or specialized crafting forums. Happy brewing!