LINDA COTE Printmaking Supplies: The Ink

I get asked a lot about what types of materials I use to create my fine art printmaking editions.

If you are a printmaker who wonders what printmaking supplies I use to create linocut relief prints, this video explains all you want to know about the printmaking ink that is my favorite.

If you are someone who wants to try printmaking for the first time, read on. There are lots of different printmaking inks to experiment with!

The links are to the materials mentioned in my video.

My preference, after several years printmaking by hand (without the use of a press), is for the slightly more expensive oil-based printmaking inks. The one drawback to oil-based inks is that they take longer than water-based inks to dry (from 3 days to a week, depending on the humidity in your studio) so you need to plan ahead.

Caligo Safe-Wash Relief Ink
I first tried Caligo Safe-Wash Relief Inks because I was drawn to the fact that they wash up with water. As oil-based inks, though, they are permanent on the paper when they dry.

Find them here at the Caligo website, with links to approved suppliers around the world:
http://www.caligoinks.com/index.php?o...

Caligo Safe-Wash Relief Ink in Canada: https://store.abovegroundartsupplies....

Caligo Safe-Wash Relief Ink in USA:
http://www.dickblick.com/products/cal...

Akua Printmaking Ink
Although I use the Caligo brand, I hear from other printmakers that Akua (http://www.akuainks.com/) is great, too, and very similar.

Speedball Water-Based Ink
These printmaking inks are commonly found in art supply stores, but I only use these with children when we want to use something that is water-based and dries really fast. I find they dry or clump on the block or my rolling surface after only about 15 minutes, so I am not always happy with the uneven coverage that they seem to provide. Try for yourself, though!

Speedball Water-Based Ink in Canada: https://store.abovegroundartsupplies....

Speedball Water-Based Ink in USA:
http://www.dickblick.com/products/spe...

Golden Open Acrylics
Another recent option I have run across (not mentioned in my video) is Golden Open Acrylics. I have also used these successfully for printmaking demonstrations, and they do stay open (or wet) for longer than the water-based inks. They dry quickly once on the paper, which is great if you are doing a demo or teaching (or have a pressing deadline), but when I am working in my studio and have the luxury of waiting for my prints and cards to dry, I much prefer the water-wash oil-based printmaking inks. I also find the Caligo inks I buy are cheaper than the tubes of Golden Open Acrylics. But, since prices for art supplies vary dramatically in different countries, you may not find this is the case where you live.

http://www.goldenpaints.com/products/...

I hope you enjoy this tour around the inks I use!