INK RECIPES
from Fortunes in Formulas for Home, Farm and Workshop. The Modern Authority for Amateur and Professional. Containing Up-To-Date Selected Scientific Formulas, Trade Secrets, Processes, and Money-Saving Ideas, edited by Gardner D. Hiscox and T. O'Connor Sloane (New York: Books, Inc., 1907; rev. ed., 1956).
(citation supplied by Earl Noe)

Purple

  • Methyl violet, 2 parts
  • Alcohol, 2 parts
  • Sugar, 1 part
  • Glycerine, 4 parts
  • Water, 24 parts

Dissolve the violet in the alcohol mixed w/ glycerine, dissolve sugar in water, mix both solutions.

Ingredients for purple hecto ink.

Black

  • Methyl violet, 10 parts
  • Nigrosin, 20 parts
  • Glycerine 30 parts
  • Gum arabic 5 parts
  • Alcohol, 60 parts

Ingredients for black hecto ink.

Red

  • Fuchsin, 10 parts
  • Alcohol, 10 parts
  • Glycerin, 10 parts
  • Water 50 parts

Ingredients for red hecto ink

Earl Noe also notes two intriguing hecto facts:
 I saw a Nova program about WWII escape attempts from Colditz Castle, and one survivor demonstrated how the prisoners used their gelatin desserts to make a hectograph, used for making maps. Good luck!

The Fancyclopedia, by Richard Eney, 1959, (mimeographed) has the following entry (right before HELICOPTER BEANIE): HEKTOGRAPHER'S HANDS is a strange malady afflicting users of the above process. Handle hekto carbons, inks, pencils, ribbons ever so carefully, yet smudges of purple will appear on the ends of the fingers, and by some mysterious process spread to the backs of the hands and up the inner side of the forearm. Then, tho the hektoer never touch his face with arms or hands, purple splotches will break out on the nose and one cheek, and on the nape of the neck, tho he can't see it there. What is more, the dye will spread to all light-colored woodwork in the room, and deposit in an uneven film over the lavatory when he tries to wash. The Ditto company puts out a soap which is supposed to ease the condition, but really it comes off only when the skin does.

Hectograph Ink
Another recipe (untested):

Recipes for Art and Craft Materials, by Helen Roney Sattler
(New York:  Lothrop, Lee & Shephard Company, 1973)

You Will Need:

  • 1 1/2  teaspoons water-based pigment, such as Prussian blue, iodine-green, methyl violet, and so on. (Do not use and oil paint pigment. Aniline dye is best but poisonous.)
  • 1 teaspoon glycerine
  • 4 teaspoons distilled water
  • 2/3 teaspoon peppermint or lemon extract

How to Make It:

1. Mix the pigment with glycerine until smooth and well blended.
2. Add water and extract.  Stir or shake until thoroughly mixed.

Makes about 2 tablespoons-enough for several projects.

How to Use It:
Store in a tightly capped bottle. Shake bottle well before using. Draw or write with a lettering pen or a fine brush on typing paper.
Back to Hectographic Printing