Master calligraphers categorised 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.