Master calligraphers categorized inks as gum-based inks and starch based inks. To make starch ink, ingredients such as wheat, rice and aloe were heated on a metal plate until it caught fire, at which point water was added and the solution was boiled and filtered. The solution could then be used on it’s own (as it has the colourant as well as the tacky nature of the starch) or in conjunction with lampblack, or iron-gall ink.

An example of such recipe is given below.

Recipe from the treatise Resāle dar Bayān-e, Kaḡaḏ, Morakkab, va Hall-e Alvān by Anonymmous (15th C):

آسانتر آنست که قدری نشاسته را در تابه آهنین کند و آتشی تیز کند تا بسوزد و آتش در وی افتد. پس به آب یا گلاب حل کند، و بدان کتابت کند.

‘An easy method is to place some starch on an iron plate and place the plate on high heat until it is in flames. Add water or rose water and mix it until the starch is dissolved and use as necessary’.