Seawhite's own block printing ink — made by a company that has been supplying the UK art education and printmaking market for over fifty years, and knows exactly what a good relief printing ink needs to do. Viscous, slow-drying, and generously sized at 300ml, it is a practical, reliable ink for lino, wood, and foam block printing at any level from introductory classroom work through to more considered studio printmaking.
The viscosity is the defining quality. A good relief printing ink needs to be thick enough to sit on the surface of the block without flooding into the cut recesses, thin enough to roll out evenly on a glass or acrylic inking slab, and sticky enough to transfer cleanly from block to paper under pressure. Seawhite's formulation hits that balance well — it rolls out smoothly, covers the block evenly, and transfers with a clean, consistent impression. The extended working time is a significant practical advantage, particularly in teaching environments where ink on a slab needs to remain workable across a full session without drying out prematurely.
The ink is water-based and non-toxic, making it safe and practical for use in schools, studios, and home printmaking. Equipment cleans up easily with water. All nine colours are fully intermixable, giving the freedom to mix custom shades on the slab from a small selection of tubes. Drying time is approximately 30 minutes to the touch under normal conditions, though this varies with temperature, humidity, and the thickness of the ink layer applied.
We stock nine colours: Black, White, Brilliant Red, Orange, Brilliant Yellow, Brilliant Green, Brilliant Blue, Purple, and Burnt Sienna — a well-considered palette covering the primary and secondary colours, a warm earth tone, and both black and white for tinting, shading, and overprinting.
What surfaces can Seawhite Block Printing Ink be used on? It is designed for lino, wood, and foam cut relief printing blocks. It is suitable for printing onto paper and card. For printing onto fabric, a dedicated fabric printing ink is more appropriate as standard block printing inks are not formulated to withstand washing.
How is it applied to the block? Squeeze a small amount of ink onto a flat inking slab — glass or acrylic works well — and roll out evenly using a rubber brayer until the ink covers the roller in a thin, even layer. Roll the ink onto the block surface in multiple directions to ensure even coverage, then press the block firmly and evenly onto the paper or pull the paper over the block and apply pressure by hand or with a baren.
How long does it take to dry? Approximately 30 minutes to the touch under normal conditions. Drying time varies with temperature, humidity, and the thickness of the ink layer — cooler, more humid conditions will slow drying, warmer conditions will speed it up.
Can the colours be mixed together? Yes — all nine colours are fully intermixable. Mix directly on the inking slab to create custom shades before rolling out and applying to the block.
How do you clean up? All equipment — roller, slab, block, and hands — cleans up easily with water. Clean promptly after use before the ink has had time to dry on equipment.
Is it suitable for use with children? Yes — the ink is non-toxic and water-based, making it suitable for supervised use with children in classroom and workshop settings.
