Printmaking Equipment & Supplies

The Best Printmaking Equipment for Your Studio

At Hickman Design, we offer a wide array of printmaking supplies and equipment designed for both beginners and seasoned artists. Whether you’re exploring relief printing, screen printing, or etching, our tools are curated to help you create prints with precision and artistry. Below is a detailed overview of the types of printmaking we cater to:

Relief & Lino Printing

Relief and lino printing are well-loved for their accessibility and versatility, allowing artists to create bold, graphic designs through simple carving techniques. In this method, ink is applied to the raised areas of a carved surface, leaving a striking imprint when pressed onto paper or fabric.

We offer an extensive range of tools and materials for relief and lino printing, including:

• Lino blocks: Choose from soft-cut, traditional linoleum, and even rubber blocks for easy carving and smoother prints. Our blocks come in various sizes to suit your project, from small, intricate designs to large, statement pieces.
• Carving tools: Precision is key when carving your design. We provide a wide range of lino cutters, including beginner-friendly sets and professional-grade tools for detailed work. Our assortment includes tools with various blade sizes, allowing you to create everything from fine lines to deep, bold cuts.
• Inks: We stock high-quality, water-based and oil-based relief inks that provide excellent coverage and durability. Our selection includes a vibrant colour palette, ensuring your prints stand out whether you’re working on paper, fabric, or other surfaces.
• Rollers (Brayers): For even application of ink, our brayers come in different widths and materials, ensuring a smooth and consistent ink layer every time.

Whether you’re creating single-colour prints or experimenting with more advanced multi-layer techniques like reduction printing, our supplies will provide everything you need. For a deeper dive into this process, explore our comprehensive Lino Printing Process Guide.

Etching & Intaglio

Etching and intaglio techniques allow for intricate, detailed designs that can capture depth and texture in your prints. This method involves incising a design onto a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper to create a beautifully detailed image.

Our selection of etching and intaglio supplies includes:

• Etching needles and tools: We offer a range of etching tools, including etching needles, burnishers, and scrapers. These tools are designed for creating fine lines and varying textures, essential for adding detail to your work.
• Etching plates: We provide high-quality copper and zinc plates, which are ideal for creating fine details. Copper plates are perfect for sharper lines and longer-lasting impressions, while zinc is excellent for achieving softer effects.
• Acids and grounds: For traditional etching, we supply acid-resistant grounds that protect parts of the plate you don’t want etched. Additionally, we offer etching solutions for those using chemical methods to carve into the plate.
• Inks: Our range of intaglio inks offers rich, deep pigments that are specially formulated for etching processes, allowing for beautiful tonal transitions and sharp contrasts.

Etching and intaglio are perfect for artists looking to explore tonal depth and textural variety in their work. For more information on these historical techniques, visit our detailed guides: What is Printmaking? and Intaglio Printing.

Screen Printing

Screen printing is a popular technique for creating vibrant, colourful prints, whether you’re working on paper, fabric, or other materials. This process involves pushing ink through a mesh screen onto the surface below, allowing for bold, graphic designs or intricate patterns.

Our screen printing supplies include:

• Screens: We stock silk screens in a variety of mesh sizes, suitable for different levels of detail. Finer meshes are ideal for detailed work, while coarser meshes allow for faster ink application and bold, solid areas of colour.
• Squeegees: A vital tool in screen printing, our squeegees are available in various sizes and shapes, designed to evenly spread ink across the screen for smooth, consistent prints.
• Screen printing inks: Our range includes both water-based and plastisol inks, which offer vibrant colours and strong adhesion to a variety of surfaces. We also carry specialty inks, including metallics and glow-in-the-dark options for unique creative effects.
• Emulsion and stencil-making tools: For artists working with photo emulsion techniques, we provide everything from light-sensitive emulsions to exposure units, allowing you to create intricate stencils directly on your screen.

Screen printing is an excellent technique for creating fine art prints, posters, and even custom textiles. Whether you’re just starting out or are a seasoned screen printer, we have the supplies to support your work.

Printmaking Paper

Choosing the right printmaking paper is essential for achieving professional results. Different printmaking techniques require different types of paper, and at Hickman Design, we stock a wide range to suit all methods:

• Smooth paper: Ideal for lino and etching, our smooth papers provide a clean, crisp surface for detail-rich prints.
• Textured paper: For screen printing and other techniques, we offer textured papers that absorb ink beautifully, enhancing your print’s depth and character.
• Weights and finishes: We offer a variety of paper weights, from lightweight options for proofing to heavyweight, archival-quality paper designed to last for decades without fading.

No matter your printmaking method, having the right paper can make a world of difference in the final quality of your prints.

Printmaking Sets

For beginners or those looking to explore a new technique, our printmaking sets provide a convenient way to get started. These kits are designed to offer everything you need in one package, with high-quality tools and materials suited for each method of printmaking:

• Lino printing sets: Complete with lino blocks, carving tools, rollers, and inks, these sets provide an ideal introduction to relief printing.
• Etching sets: Featuring plates, etching tools, and ink, these sets are perfect for those just starting out in etching or wanting to upgrade their toolkit.
• Screen printing sets: Including screens, squeegees, and inks, our screen printing sets provide everything you need to create vibrant prints on paper or fabric.

Our printmaking sets are thoughtfully curated to give you the tools necessary to start your creative journey, or to expand your expertise in a new area of printmaking.

For additional inspiration, advice, and step-by-step tutorials, be sure to explore our Printmaking Guides, our article on What is Printmaking?, and our in-depth look at Intaglio Printing.