One of the questions I get asked a lot—especially from people just starting out with relief printing—is: what kind of ink should I use?

It’s a great question, and the answer is… frustratingly dependent on what you're trying to achieve. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but I can definitely tell you what’s worked for me, what hasn’t, and why I’m firmly on Team Oil-Based (but make it water-washable).

Acrylic Paint: Just Say No

Let’s get this one out of the way first. Acrylic paint might seem like a convenient option—especially if you’ve already got some lurking in the art cupboard—but it’s not designed for relief printing.

Yes, it’s cheap and easy to find. But it dries fast. Too fast. It’ll start drying on your palette, your roller, your block, and even mid-way through a print pull. It can leave a terrible sticky residue on your block and if not cleaned promptly can interfere with your carved areas. The results can be patchy, inconsistent, and generally pretty frustrating.

I’ve been there. I’ve tried it. I’ve sworn at it. I’ve moved on.

Water-Based Inks: Friends with Benefits

Water-based relief inks are specifically made for block printing, so they're definitely a step up from acrylics. They’re easy to clean up with water (a dream if you’re short on time or working in a shared space), and they dry quickly on the paper, which is great for printing multiple layers or packing up your prints the same day.

When I use water-based ink I prefer Schminke Linoldruck Linoprint Inks. Depending on the weather, this ink can be dry to the touch on your paper within 20 minutes.  

However they dry a little too quickly for me.  I like to take my time while printing—lining things up just-so, adjusting pressure, giving each print the attention it deserves. I've even been known to leave my inking mid-session to come back to it the next day ('cos life happens!) Water-based inks tend to dry on the block after an hour or so and that’s just not how I roll (pun very much intended).

I also find it difficult to get the right ink consistency when using water-based inks. It takes quite a lot of effort to get the right texture with my brayer on my ink plate,

Finally, I often feel that water-based inks sometimes lack pigment saturation which can make the colours feel a little flat to me. Perfectly fine for some styles, but I like a bit more punch and depth.

Oil-Based Inks: My Not-So-Secret Love

For me, oil-based inks have the edge over water-based inks for reasons I list below but traditional oil-based inks have the disadvantage of needing to be cleaned up with solvents. 

Luckily there is a middle ground! My ink of choice is Cranfield’s Caligo Safe Wash relief inks. These are oil-based inks with the magic ability to wash up with water and vegetable oil—no stinky solvents required. (Cue the hallelujah chorus.)

Here’s why I love them:

• Rich, intense pigment – The colours are deep and saturated, which really makes my bold prints sing.

• They stay open for ages – That means I can take my time without the ink drying on my tools. Though, to be fair, sometimes they stay open a little too long, especially in humid weather. Nothing a bit of patience (and a drying rack) can’t fix.

• Easy clean-up – I can wash up with water and a bit of canola or safflower oil. No turps, no mess, no headache. And I can still feel my brain cells after a full day of printing.

Yes, they take longer to dry. But that’s a trade-off I’m willing to make for the print quality and working time. I just make sure I plan for longer drying periods.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, the best ink is the one that suits your style and process. If you love layering quickly or working in a school or shared studio, water-based inks might be your perfect match. But for me, oil-based (especially the Safe Wash variety) is where it’s at.

Have you tried different inks? What works for you? I’d love to hear your inky adventures in the comments.