Gum Arabic Preservation

[ced]

Hello any experts!
I would like to make my own gum arabic of which I bought 300gr. of powder like crystals ( thought they would give me chunky stuff but evidently this is the way it is sold now).
On scanning many pages on various websites I understand that the mixture needs to have a preservative/fungicide added.
I have essential oil "Tea Tree" and would like to know how many drops to add (diluted in alcohol). Listerine is also available but not the old type.
My crystals I understand 300gr to 1 litre of water is this okay?
Any light on the matter will be much appreciated and sorry if this has previously been discussed. Thanks!

 

[RalphLambrecht]

what is the intended use of this.I just add a few mg to to my self-madespotting dye to match the sheen of the paper's surface.ala AA's suggestion in 'The Print.

 

[ced]

Ralph, thanks this will be used in Gumprinting.

 

[Herzeleid]

I would recommend sodium benzoate for presevertation. 0,5 grams of benzoate per 100gr of gum is sufficient as I have learned recently. Fomalin, mercuric chloride, thymol and formaldehyde are also used as preservatives.

There is no standard ratio of gum to water. The quality of gum varies. I have used the same gum arabic in 1+2, 1+3, 1+5 and 1+3,3. You have to find which one works best for your workflow. You might try preparing small batches of 1+2 and 1+3 see which one works better. Some people prefer working with thicker gum arabic solutions.

 

[ced]

Herzeleid , Thanks for this information, I will make some tests to see what gives.