Selecting an Ink for Relief Printing

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Gamblin Outlaw Black oil based relief features exceptional
coverage and a rich, black color. Formulated for printing
fine detail woodcuts, you can thin this ink with Gamblin’s
Burnt Plate Oil, if needed.

One difference
between the Japanese tradition of woodblock relief printing and the woodblock printing
of the Western cultures is the type of ink used. Each ink system has its own
physical properties, which help define the personality of the printing
aesthetic. Each ink system possesses its own performance properties, with
unique advantages and disadvantages.



Video about inking the block for relief printing

In Japanese relief
printing, water based inks are typically used. These inks are similar to water
colors. The transparency of these inks feature delicate pastel shades and allow
for the creation of subtle gradations of color, which characterize Japanese
prints. Use of these inks to create these effects, requires specialized brushes
and special printing skills.
A major problem in
using water based inks in relief printing is that they dry much faster than oil
based inks used by artists in the West. Drying is especially fast when the
weather is hot and dry. On the other hand, when temperatures are very color, some
water based inks may not wet out the surface of the woodblock properly.
The inks used in
Western art are traditionally oil based. They provide many benefits not
available to the printer using water based inks. Drying time for oil based ink,
for example, is extended. In fact, depending on your shop environment, drying
may take days. The pigments used in these inks are much more durable. Colors
are richer and more vibrant. Oil based inks  for relief printing also provide better coverage.
Oil based inks are
not without their disadvantages. These inks can contain chemicals, such as
heavy metals, that may be hazardous. Prolonged skin contact with solvents may
result in dermatitis. Inhalation of solvents during clean up may also be
harmful.  Use of solvents may also pose a
fire hazard if saturated rags are not disposed of properly. 
NOTE: When working
with oil based inks, read the technical literature and Safety Data Sheets
provided by the manufacturer.  

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How Japanese Printmaking Influenced Western Art
The Evolution of Color in Japanese Woodblock Printing

The Division of Labor in Ancient Japanese Print Production

Checklist for Relief Printing with Oil Based Ink
Japanese Carving Tools for Woodblock Relief Printing
Japanese Carving Knives for Woodblock Printing
Safely Carving Woodblocks, Woodcuts and Linocuts
Linocut Tips
Japanese Papers for Printmaking
How Japanese Mulberry Paper is Made
How Handmade Papers in the West are Made
Selecting a Brayer for Relief Printing
Selecting Wood for Relief Printing
Selecting an Ink for Relief Printing
Inking the Woodblock Panel
Clean Up After Relief Printing







About Jim Hingst: After fourteen years as Business Development Manager at RTape, Jim Hingst retired. He was involved in many facets of the company’s business, including marketing, sales, product development and technical service.

Hingst began his career 42 years ago in the graphic arts field creating and producing advertising and promotional materials for a large test equipment manufacturer.  Working for offset printers, large format screen printers, vinyl film manufacturers, and application tape companies, his experience included estimating, production planning, purchasing and production art, as well as sales and marketing. In his capacity as a salesman, Hingst was recognized with numerous sales achievement awards.

Drawing on his experience in production and as graphics installation subcontractor, Hingst provided the industry with practical advice, publishing more than 150 articles for  publications, such as  Signs Canada, SignCraft,  Signs of the Times, Screen Printing, Sign and Digital Graphics and  Sign Builder Illustrated. He also posted more than 400 stories on his blog (hingstssignpost.blogspot.com). In 2007 Hingst’s book, Vinyl Sign Techniques, was published.  Vinyl Sign Techniques is available at sign supply distributors and at Amazon. 

Slides of Jim’s Artwork

© 2017 Jim Hingst

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