Essdee – Red Standard Printing Ink Rollers – 50mm

What this roller helps you do

This 50 mm brayer applies relief printing ink to the raised areas of a lino block. It has a epdm rubber roller rated at 70 Shore. Choose this narrow width for small blocks, separate colour areas and places where a larger roller would ink neighbouring sections. For a broad background, expect more overlapping passes than with a wider brayer.

Build an even ink film

Spread a small amount of relief ink on a clean, smooth slab. Roll in several directions until the surface is evenly coated, then ink the block with light, controlled passes. Make a proof before adding more ink. The brayer inks the block; a baren or press provides the pressure needed to transfer the image to paper.

Patchy prints or lost detail?

If carved lines fill in or edges look heavy, reduce the ink load and avoid pressing the roller into the cuts. If solid areas print pale, first check that the block is evenly inked, then check burnishing or press pressure. Adding more ink cannot correct every transfer problem. Change one variable at a time and compare proofs on the same paper.

Repeating marks and clean-up

A speck or line recurring in the same pattern can come from dried ink or debris on the roller. Clean and inspect the surface before re-inking. Follow a cleaning method suitable for both your ink and the rubber; do not assume every solvent is compatible. Dry before storing, and avoid leaving the roller resting under pressure on its rubber surface.

Keep a clean proof beside your slab to compare coverage during the run. Allow room around the slab so the roller stays clear of table edges. Check that the roller turns freely before loading it. Keep separate colour mixtures away from your clean paper.