Why use ink for printmaking?

I use low tech and non-toxic ways of printing like, relief printing and gelatin plate monotype printmaking.

These processes are easily accessible in a home based studio. And they are great ways to get into printmaking with out needed a big studio or press.

For that reason, many people who have not made prints before often break into printmaking with some of these methods. Inks and brayers are often a new expense and tool.

That is why I want to take a moment and explain why using the right inks and brayers for a particular printmaking process make the process a little easier.

• Inks are designed to be wet and workable for a longer period of time than acrylic paint.
• Inks are designed to be rolled out and worked with a brayer
• Inks have stickiness that lends them to in indirect nature of printmaking

Printmaking is an indirect method of mark making. This means that the ink is often applied to a plate and then pressed on to the paper. Compared to a more direct approach in painting when the paint goes directly from brush to canvas.

Things to consider when choosing an ink:

• Oil or water based? Water is much easier to work with and often a good choice for home based printing
• Printing on paper or fabric? Ink made for your substrate will always work best. Fabric ink often needs to be more fluid
• Ease of clean up
• Cost and ability to use the inks for your other projects

That last factor is why many newbies want to use acrylic paint. The trouble with many acrylic craft paints is that they are too fluid to hold the mark and dry too fast to make the transfer of ink.

However, some kinds of impressions are possible with acrylic craft paint you just need to work fast and know the limits of the paint.

I often advise that you buy a tube of black ink that is specifically designed for the process and the right kind of brayer.  That way you can test out the process before you invest in a new line of inks.

For example, I like the speedball water based block printing ink for relief printing and gelatin monotype printmaking. It stays alive and workable. Which makes it easy to transfer from plate to paper.

If you would like to explore relief printing with soft foam plates and water based inks, then check out the details and join us in the online printmaking workshop – Soft plate relief printing. Class starts soon!

 

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