Block Print Inks

You should purchase black block print ink and extender for the class.  If you want to print in color, you can also purchase color ink.  If you get the basic CYMK (basically black, red, yellow, and blue), you can mix many colors.

You have two choices for ink. 

Speedball water-based block print inks, are readily available, work well, and are easy to clean up.  These are the inks most people start with.  They do dry fast, which means that you must be ready to print as soon as you roll them out. So have your wooden spoon or brayer all ready along with your paper.  The extender helps the ink to dry a little less fast so you may want to mix some in.  These are the inks that come included in some of the Speedball kits.  

Caligo Safewash block print inks, cost a little more.  They are vegetable-oil-based, but they are water soluble, which means they clean up with soap and water.  Just be sure to put soap on the item to be washed first, and then water.  These inks take longer to dry, which allows you more time to print.  However, you need to hang them for a few days for them to be totally dry.  

Speedball can be purchased at Hobby Lobby and some Michaels as well as online.  

Caligo can be purchased at art supply stores such as Dick Blick in Fullerton (601 North Placentia Avenue Fullerton,  CA  92831 (714) 528-8790) or Dick Blick or other art stores online.  Most of the online stores offer free shipping if you spend over $35 and also may offer coupon codes.