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Printmaking inks are the lifeblood of any printmaker's studio, directly impacting the final aesthetic and longevity of your artwork. Selecting the correct ink type for your chosen printmaking technique is crucial for achieving desired results, ensuring proper adhesion, and preserving the integrity of your prints for years to come.
PROFESSIONAL COLOR SET - Premium water-miscible oil-based inks in 6 vibrant, opaque colors perfect for block printing on fabric and paper, allowing artists to create bold, lasting impressions across multiple mediums
VERSATILE FABRIC PRINTING - Creates permanent, washable prints on cotton, polyester, linen, rayon, and most synthetic fibers without heat setting, simply air dry overnight for professional-quality textile prints that last
PAPER PRINTING EXCELLENCE - Delivers rich, vivid impressions on paper, cardstock, and cardboard, making it ideal for fine art prints, cards, and mixed media projects while maintaining crisp detail and bold color saturation
EASY ARTIST WORKFLOW - Water-soluble formula ensures quick cleanup with just soap and water, while the convenient 1.25 oz size provides ample ink for multiple projects without waste or dried out containers
Offers artists vibrant colors, great coverage, and consistent workability every time
Ideal for printing on a range of fabrics, including cotton, polyester, blends, linen, rayon, and other synthetics. Also works great on paper and cardboard
Inks produce a super soft-hand on fabric and are permanent once properly heat set/cured
All colors carry the ap seal; easy soap and water cleanup
VIBRANT EASY MIXING COLORS - Includes 6 must-have colors for your next print project. Use as-is or mix them together to create a gamut of custom colors. The set includes 4oz each of our artist-recommended Black, White, Red, Yellow, Blue, and Green inks.
WATER BASED INK - Water soluble with excellent workability for a consistent print result every time. Applies easily and delivers smooth uniform coverage with no clumps - ideal for beginners and pros alike. Ultra low odor and easily cleans up with soap and...
PERMANENT AFTER HEAT SET - Transfer your design with more long lasting durability than a vinyl iron-on, plastisol, or chalk paint. Ideal for printing on a range of fabrics, including cotton, canvas, polyester, blends, linen, rayon, and other synthetics...
SAFE FOR THE STUDIO & CLASSROOM - All colors carry the AP Seal tested to be safe and non-toxic by the Arts & Creative Materials Institute, so you can print with peace of mind.
Bright Color: Falling in Art block printing ink set is effective and features vibrant colors including white, red, yellow, blue, green, and black. It will ensure even coverage and allow for consistent, spectacular colors and textures.
Safe Paints: Falling in Art screen printing ink is free from harmful chemicals and is safe to use with minimal odor. It is water-resistant and durable, suitable for beginners or artists to make lots of art projects.
Easy to Clean: Falling in Art block printing ink is simple to apply and dries quickly. It is water-soluble which means that you can clean your tools and surfaces with just soap and water.
Multiple Use: Falling in Art printmaking ink can create wonderful paints, ideal for printing on cardboard or linoleum, wood, or soft block surfaces. The large 100ml bottle provides ample supply for printing needs.
INDUSTRY LEADING PRINTING INK – This block printing ink receives rave reviews from artists and students for good reason. The wide variety of ink colors are all ground and milled to the perfect consistency which create bold prints that dry to a rich...
CREATE GORGEOUS PRINTS – The water soluble printmaking ink is ideal for block and relief printing. Use this premium ink on linoleum, wood, flexible printing plates, Speedy-Cut, Speedy-Carve and Polyprint.
INK HAS EXCELLENT TACK – This printing ink has a tack which ensures even coverage and allows you to produce consistent, spectacular results every time.
QUICK, EASY CLEANUP – There is no messy clean up when using this black printing ink. When you are done with your project the ink will come right off you using soap and water.
Created from pigments ground and milled to the perfect consistency for block/relief printing ensuring even coverage and consistently spectacular results
Speedball Water-Soluble Block Printing Inks print bold color and dry to a rich, satiny finish
Great for printing with linoleum, wood or soft block surfaces, flexible printing plates or polyfoam
INDUSTRY LEADING PRINTING INK – This block printing ink receives rave reviews from artists and students for good reason. The wide variety of ink colors are all ground and milled to the perfect consistency which create bold prints that dry to a rich...
CREATE GORGEOUS PRINTS – The water soluble printmaking ink is ideal for block and relief printing. Use this premium ink on linoleum, wood, flexible printing plates, Speedy-Cut, Speedy-Carve and Polyprint.
INK HAS EXCELLENT TACK – This printing ink has a tack which ensures even coverage and allows you to produce consistent, spectacular results every time.
QUICK, EASY CLEANUP – There is no messy clean up when using this block printing ink. When you are done with your project the ink will come right off you using soap and water.
PERFECT FOR NICHE PRINTERS: This ink is carefully formulated with finely ground pigments to deliver a smooth, consistent texture ideal for block and relief printing. It offers the ideal level of adhesion to the block, ensuring crisp, precise prints on...
PRINTS THAT LEAVE A MARK – Produce vivid prints that dry to a smooth, lustrous finish. Ideal for use on paper or cardboard with linoleum, wood, soft block surfaces, flexible plates, or polyfoam.
TOP QUALITY – BOTTOM PRICES – Crafted in-house to embody every aspect you cherish in your favourite block printing ink, from rich prints to perfect transfer tack, smooth consistency, even coverage, zero lumps, and super low odor. The only change? No...
SAFE FOR PRINTING – Third-party lab tested to ensure that inks you use are safe and non-toxic. ASTM-D4236 compliant.
2.6 fl oz Tubes, Mixable Colors – Includes six colors:White, Vermilion, Cobalt Blue, Mid Yellow, Emerald Green, and Black. Each 2.6 oz tube gives enough linocut ink for repeat prints, while blendable shades let you mix softer tones, deeper colors, and...
Built for Fabric and Paper – Create block print designs on cotton, linen, canvas, tote bags, T-shirts, paper, cardstock, and handmade cards. Made for makers who want one ink set for fabric crafts and paper printmaking.
No Heat, Less Hassle – Air-dry formula helps solve a common fabric printing pain point: no heat press or iron needed. Print your design, let it dry naturally for 24 hours, then wait 72 hours before gentle washing.
Easy Cleanup & Printing Tip – Water-soluble ink cleans from hands, brayers, blocks, trays, and tools with soap and water before it dries. Temperature and humidity can affect drying time. For large-area printing, especially in warm or dry conditions, the...
INDUSTRY LEADING PRINTING INK – These block printing inks receive rave reviews from artists and students for good reason. Included are red, blue, yellow, black, white and gold water-soluble inks that are all ground and milled to the perfect consistency.
CREATE GORGEOUS PRINTS – The water-soluble printmaking ink is ideal for block and relief printing. Use this premium ink on linoleum, wood, Speedy-Cut Easy, Speedy-Cut, Speedy-Carve and Polyprint.
INK HAS EXCELLENT TACK – The printing inks in this set all have nice tack which ensures even coverage and allows you to produce consistent, spectacular results every time.
QUICK, EASY CLEAN UP – There is no messy clean up when using this water-soluble printing ink. When you are done with your project the ink will come right off you using soap and water.
Last update on 2026-10-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
How to Choose the Best Printmaking Inks
Understanding Ink Types
Printmaking inks come in various formulations, each suited for different methods. Oil-based inks, often made with linseed or vegetable oils, are known for their rich color, slow drying time, and excellent archival qualities. They are ideal for techniques like relief printing (woodcuts, linocuts) and intaglio (etchings, drypoints). Water-based inks, typically acrylic or gouache based, offer faster drying times and easy cleanup with soap and water. These are popular for screen printing and monotype, though some high-quality water-based inks can also be used for relief and intaglio.
Pigment vs. Dye-Based Inks
A key distinction lies between pigment-based and dye-based inks. Pigment-based inks utilize solid particles suspended in a binder. These particles are generally lightfast and fade-resistant, ensuring the longevity of your artwork. Dye-based inks, on the other hand, use soluble colorants that penetrate the substrate. While often offering vibrant hues, dyes can be more prone to fading over time when exposed to light.
Ink Viscosity and Tack
Viscosity refers to an ink's thickness and flow, while tack describes its stickiness. For relief printing, a higher viscosity and tack are often preferred to help transfer the ink cleanly from the block to the paper. Intaglio printing typically requires lower viscosity inks that can penetrate the etched lines effectively. Screen printing inks often have a medium viscosity that allows for smooth passage through the screen mesh.
Color Selection and Lightfastness
Consider the range of colors available and their permanence. High-quality printmaking inks will indicate their lightfastness ratings, usually on a scale from I (excellent) to III (fair). For professional work intended for exhibition or sale, choosing inks with excellent lightfastness is paramount to prevent premature fading. Think about the palette you need for your projects and whether you'll be mixing custom colors.
Comparison Tips
Match Ink to Method: Always select an ink specifically formulated for your printmaking technique (e.g., relief, intaglio, screen printing).
Prioritize Lightfastness: For archival purposes, opt for inks with high lightfastness ratings.
Consider Cleanup: If ease of cleanup is a priority, water-based inks are a convenient choice.
Test Small Batches: If possible, experiment with small quantities of different inks to assess their handling properties and final print quality before committing to large amounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between oil-based and water-based printmaking inks?
Oil-based inks use oil binders, offering slow drying and rich colors, ideal for intaglio and relief. Water-based inks use water-soluble binders, drying faster and cleaning up easily, suitable for screen printing and monotypes.
How important is lightfastness in printmaking inks?
Lightfastness is very important for the longevity of your artwork. Inks with high lightfastness ratings resist fading when exposed to light, ensuring your prints retain their color vibrancy over time.
Can I use regular art paints as printmaking inks?
It is generally not recommended. Regular art paints often lack the necessary viscosity, tack, and pigment load required for successful printmaking. Printmaking inks are specifically formulated for adherence and transfer.
What is 'tack' in relation to printmaking ink?
Tack refers to the stickiness or adhesiveness of an ink. It influences how the ink transfers from the printing plate or block to the paper, affecting the clarity and quality of the printed image.
How should I store printmaking inks?
Store inks in airtight containers in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. This prevents them from drying out or degrading, ensuring their usability for future projects.
Are there eco-friendly printmaking ink options available?
Yes, many manufacturers now offer inks made with vegetable oils and sustainable pigments. Look for labels indicating soy-based or environmentally conscious formulations if this is a priority for your studio.
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