This study presents the results of investigation of red pigments and binding media used in ancient manuscripts for rubrication and illumination. The commercial compounds were analysed with the aim to create a short data library which could be used for the characterization of different model compositions of red pigments and dyes. Finally, these analytical data will be used for the identification of specimens obtained from ancient manuscripts. The red pigments and binding media were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and thermal (TG/DSC) analysis techniques.