Top ten printmaking ink and tool mistakes
Mastering Linocut Printmaking by solving common issues
Linocut printmaking is a rewarding and versatile art form, and Caligo Safe Wash Inks are a popular choice for many printmakers. These oil-based inks are water-miscible, making cleanup a breeze while retaining the richness and workability of traditional oil inks. However, like any medium, challenges can arise during the process. This blog will help you troubleshoot common issues and ensure smoother linocut printing sessions.
1. Ink Consistency Issues
If the ink is too thick or too runny it can seep into the thinly carved areas and ruin your crisp image. Using too much ink can also cause a sandpapery texture rather than a smooth finish. This can be even more noticeable when layering more than one colour and can cause future layers to not print evenly on the textured areas.
Solutions: If your ink feels too stiff, try adding a drop or two of Caligo Safe Wash Oil to loosen it. Avoid overdoing it, as overly soft ink can cause smudging or bleeding. Conversely, if your ink is too runny, let it sit uncovered for a few minutes to thicken slightly, or mix it with a stiffer ink. Stiffer ink can also be rolled with the brayer more and this will also help warm and loosen it. Temperature and humidity in the air can affect the ink too so the same recipe might feel different on different days so bear that in mind.
2. Uneven ink
If the print has thick areas or places that are skipping it could be due to many reasons so check the solutions below.
Solutions: Ensure that your ink is rolled out evenly on the inking plate before applying it to your block. Use a glass or smooth acrylic plate and roll the brayer back and forth in multiple directions until the ink forms a VERY thin, even layer. Listen for a satisfying, velvety hiss (not a thick gummy sticky sound) as the brayer rolls.
It could also be down to the technique you are using to print the image onto the paper. If using a printing press make sure it is not pressing down unevenly on the print. Apply consistent pressure during printing. If you're hand-burnishing, use a baren, wooden spoon, or similar tool to rub the back of the paper evenly. For printing presses, ensure the pressure settings are appropriate for your block and paper thickness.
Check the brayer has been stored properly and has not sat on an uneven surface and created an indent.
Check your block for debris or leftover carving material. Hair an dust can appear magically and become a nuisance. I find the best results are when I vacuum the room, let everything settle and the wipe down all surfaces thoroughly before inking.
Use high-quality, printmaking-specific paper such as Somerset Satin. Different papers can absorb ink in different ways. If you are having issues then try experimenting with different lino or block printing papers.
3. Lines are too shallow or too deep.
If lino is carved too shallow it will be less forgiving to ink thickness, too thick or runny and those shallower lines will disappear or collect ink in them, while excessively deep lines can make the block fragile and if you hit the string below it can cause them to catch ink and transfer in areas you don’t want.
Solutions: Practice on scrap linoleum before carving your final design. Aim for consistent, medium-depth lines. Older or cold linoleum can be harder to carve than warmer or newer lino so that can be something to bear in mind too. Older harder lino can cause the carving tools to skid and can cause you an injury or to cut into areas you didn’t wish to cut out. I believe harder lino can also be warmed to help with this so you could try this out too.
4. Ink drying and smudging
Ink can take a long time to dry so be careful when checking them or you can create smudges.
Solutions: Caligo Safe Wash Inks are slower drying compared to water-based inks. Ensure adequate ventilation in your workspace to promote drying. If time is critical, add a drop of drier medium (designed for oil-based inks) to speed up the process.
Allow your prints to dry completely before handling. Avoid stacking wet prints directly. Use drying racks or separate layers with clean sheets of newsprint.
If using traditional linoleum, cut the hairs from the side of the plate. These can stick up and catch the ink and cause smudging.
This may be obvious but thoroughly clean your hands before handling prints. Even small amounts can cause issues. Also handling the print on any clips or outer edges can help to avoid transferring on to the margins around the print.
Sometimes you may find that areas you have cut away can still print. If so you can consider adding this as another fun texture to your print. However if you don’t like this effect you can either use a flatter tool to scrape off the peak, cut problem areas of lino away or rip up pieces of paper and place them over the large areas after inking and before placing down the paper, as a guard.
5. Thicker ink on the edge of the print
Sometimes you might find the edges of your print will have a thicker amount ink.
Solutions: Some people like to lightly pre sand the surface of the lino with wet and dry paper before carving. This can be helpful on the edges where it has been cut to size and created a raised lip. A light sand can stop this from happening.
6. Cleanup Challenges
Caligo Ink say is it washable with soap and water but it may seem more difficult when it comes to it. The ink base is oil so this needs to be broken down first before it can be washed away.
Solutions: Start by wiping excess ink with a cloth or paper towel. Sometimes I put the excess ink into a pot if there is lots and use this for test prints. The top dries and if parts of this get into final prints it can be annoying but the wet ink below is fine for test prints if you are careful and don’t want to waste the excess. After this, to clean up tools and surfaces, I use lots of dish soap to break up the oils in the ink before rinsing away with warm water. Some people prefer using vegetable oil to break up the ink before washing with soap and water I find this messy and personally think using lots of dish soap works much better.
7. Equipment issues
Equipment issues can cause all sorts of issues with your prints. Buying the right equipment and keeping them in best condition will get you the best results.
Solutions: Choosing the best quality equipment when possible is always advisable. Cheaper tools are great in a pinch but they drastically effect the enjoyment and ability to make professional prints. It may actually save money to go straight for the higher quality equipment.
Apart from choosing the right tools. Keeping them in good condition is a must. Clean your tools immediately after use. For brayers and brushes, use a small brush or sponge to remove ink from crevices. Regular cleaning prevents ink buildup and prolongs the life of your tools.
Rollers can also become hard over time. Old rollers can be replaced so if you have an expensive roller than has become worn out please don’t throw it away, you can contact printmaking companies to replace parts.
Keeping your cutting tools sharp are another great way to keep clean edges on your prints. You use a whetstone to sharpen the edges if they are stuttering and not gliding or creating nice clean edges.
8. Environmental Factors
Ink behaves inconsistently depending on the weather. When everything else is consistent this is a good thing to consider.
Solutions: Humidity and temperature can affect ink performance. In cold weather, you can use a palette knife to move the ink around and knead it to warm it up or add a drop of caligo safe wash oil. In humid conditions make sure not to over ink your print by rolling it as thin as possible. It can also affect drying times, store prints in a dry area to prevent smudging and ensure even drying. A dehumidifier or heater can help dry prints more quickly if you are in a rush but make sure you clear up first do you don’t dry ink onto rollers and surfaces.
9. Alignment Issues
Putting the paper in the correct position everytime, especially with multi-block prints, might seem impossible but there are ways to control the alignment.
Solutions: My favourite way to control alignment is by using Turnes Burton clips. I very securely fix the metal clip holders to the top of a board and attach an L shape piece of plastic, wood or metal lower than the height of a piece of lino onto the board to create two edges that will allow the lino to stay in the same place each time I print. I make sure the L shape will hold the lino In the middle of my paper and the clips sneak out just above the paper position. Before printing when everything is clean and dry I place each piece of paper, one by one, over the lino, on the board and clip the plastic clips onto the clip holders. I then use decorators masking tape or similar to tape the plastic turns burton clips onto the paper. I don’t remove the metal clip holders ever from the board as it is useful to always have this ready to go and I only remove the plastic clips from the back of the paper once all the prints are finalised in printing and dry. I carefully remove the plastic clips as different tapes can possibly tear the back of the paper. I also use tape strong enough to keep them in place so they don’t move during the printing process. This keeps each piece of paper in the same place every time and the lino sits in the same position in the L shape cradle. This avoids any alignment issues. Another thing to note is to pay attention to which way around you put the lino into the cradle. Sometimes I draw arrows on the back of my lino in marker pen to make it quick to note which side goes in which direction.
10. Achieving Consistent Results
Prints vary in quality which can be the beauty of a linocut remember not to be too critical if they are not identical. However there are some ways to help with consistency if it is becoming a problem.
Solutions: Develop a consistent workflow. Keep detailed notes on ink mixing ratios, pressure settings, and drying times. Regularly inspect your tools and materials for wear and tear. Consistency comes with practice and attention to detail.
Final Thoughts
Linocut printmaking is a journey of experimentation and learning. By understanding and addressing these common issues, you can enhance your experience with Caligo Safe Wash Inks and achieve stunning results. Remember, patience and practice are key. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes—each challenge is an opportunity to refine your craft.
