Natural turmeric and
hibiscus inks were developed for use on fabrics and writing surfaces. Ethanolic extracts of turmeric and
hibiscus were obtained and formulated with
environmentally friendly mordants such as
ferrous sulfate,
ascorbic acid, and
apple cider vinegar, and thickeners such as
linseed oil and
aloe vera. These treatments were tested on fabric,
filter paper, and notebook paper. Color and
color loss were evaluated using the Paint program when exposed to
sunlight and washing (in the case of fabric), comparing the RGB and Hex pixel values obtained before and after
sun exposure and washing. The
degree of similarity was assessed using a digital Color Matcher Tool with the Hex and RGB data. Once the best treatment with the aforementioned mordants was determined, the ink formulation was developed using thickeners such as
gelatin, alginate, cornstarch, and honey.It has a pleasing color and good consistency for use on fabric and paper. It's possible to create inks for writing and
dyeing fabrics with readily available ingredients, thus contributing to
environmental protection.