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Workshop pack

Tannin-and-iron ink

Preview pack generated by A New Field. Review, print or save as PDF.

A New Field

At a glance

Family

Ink

Difficulty

Beginner

Age

All ages (adult with iron salts)

Active

30 min

Total

168 h

Yield

200ml ink

The classic iron gall ink. Tannins meet iron salts and darken to a deep grey-black that oxidises further with time.

Before the session

  1. Print the risk note and pin it on the wall
  2. Check allergens against your participant list
  3. Pre-warm the pan and prepare the first demo batch
  4. Lay out tools by station
  5. Set aside a quiet corner for rest phase

A minute by minute plan you can hand off.

Edit any phase. The host pack will update with your changes.

  1. Arrival and welcome

    10 min

    Participants arrive, take a seat, sign the allergen and consent sheet. Host introduces the session.

  2. Material walk

    15 min

    Host walks participants through the foraged material. Brief safety note and a demonstration of the first step.

  3. Making

    70 min

    Participants follow the recipe in pairs. Host circulates, checks pans, gives one-to-one support.

  4. Rest and science talk

    15 min

    While the material rests, the host runs a short science talk. Questions answered.

  5. Pack up and send-off

    10 min

    Participants wrap and take their piece home. Host hands out the participant handout.

Ingredients and equipment

Flexible slots

  • Tannin source · 30g · e.g. Oak galls, walnut husk, strong black tea, bark
  • Iron source · 5g iron sulphate or 30ml rust water · e.g. Iron sulphate, rust water, steel wool in vinegar

Fixed ingredients

  • Gum arabic · 5g

Equipment

Jar, sieve, small pan, stirring stick.

Safety

Iron sulphate stains skin and fabric. Wear an apron.

Variations

Oak galls give the strongest, most permanent ink. Walnut husk a warmer brown-black.

In the pack

  • Run sheet · Minute by minute phases with host prompts.
  • Shopping list · A consolidated shopping list with quantities for your group size.
  • Risk note · An adaptable risk note you can hand to your venue.
  • Participant handout · A double-sided A5 take-home with method and care notes.

Every A New Field recipe has been run in a domestic kitchen or community hall. Read the safety notes before you start and adapt for your venue.

Generated by A New Field · anewfieldkits.com