Cranfield Caligo Safe Wash Relief Lino Printing Ink

Cranfield Caligo Safe Wash Relief Ink

Caligo Safe Wash is an oil-based relief printing ink for linocut, woodcut, wood engraving and related relief processes. It offers the working properties of oil-based ink while allowing equipment to be cleaned with liquid soap and cold water.

Choose a colour, size or set

The range includes individual colours in 75 ml and 150 ml tubes and 250 ml and 500 ml tins, plus six-tube colour and Soft Shades sets.

• Six-colour set: Six 75 ml tubes—Black, Process Blue (Cyan), Process Red (Magenta), Process Yellow, Opaque White and Transparent Extender.
• Soft Shades set: Six 75 ml tubes—Mustard Yellow, Pale Violet, Peach, Powder Blue, Sage Green and Soft Pink.

Extender increases transparency for mixing and layered colour; opaque white is useful when you want a lighter, more opaque mixture. View the colour chart in the product images before choosing.

Paper, coverage and drying

Use printmaking paper and roll out a thin, even film. Caligo can print on dry or lightly dampened paper, with no surface water on the paper or block. Read our guide to inking your linocut block for help controlling the ink layer.

Ink coverage and drying depend on the image area, ink film, paper and studio conditions. Make a test print on your chosen paper and allow it to dry before handling or overprinting. These are not dedicated heat-set textile inks; choose a fabric-printing ink where a specified curing and washing process is needed.

Clean with soap first, then cold water

1. Remove excess ink from the block, roller and slab.
2. Work liquid soap or detergent directly into the remaining ink.
3. Wipe away the mixture with a damp cloth or sponge, using cold water, then dry equipment before storage.

Water alone is insufficient; avoid hot water. See our lino-printing cleaning guide, the Caligo Safe Wash instructions and safety data sheet.

Watch the demonstrations