Printmaking Inks

Printmaking ink is a specialist ink used to transfer designs from a prepared surface onto paper, fabric or another material. It is used in a range of printmaking techniques, including lino printing, block printing, woodcut, screen printing, etching and lithography. Different types of printmaking ink are made for different processes, so they are not always interchangeable. For example, lino and block printing inks are usually thicker and tackier, allowing them to be rolled evenly onto a raised surface. Screen printing inks are often smoother and looser so they can pass through a mesh screen. Printmaking inks may be water-based or oil-based, depending on the finish, drying time and surface required. Overall, printmaking ink is a broad category that includes many inks designed for creating repeated printed images by hand or with specialist equipment.