How to Fix Ink Reticulation when Relief Printing
Sometimes when block printing, blocks can resist the ink and it splits on the surface. This makes it difficult to print a flat, even colour and can be so frustrating. This is particularly common on vinyl blocks when using water-based inks but can occur on lots of surfaces.
Use this quick, easy technique to prepare your blocks and make sure they accept the ink evenly.
Add a little water to the block and use a fine Sanding Block to sand all over the surface. The fine Sanding Block won’t mark or scratch the block but the abrasion will prepare the surface for ink. This works on vinyl (like Easy Carve and Softcut) as well as traditional hessian-backed lino.
After working all over the surface of the block for a minute or so it should ink up evenly without splitting at all!
You will need:
- Your printing block (e.g. Softcut, Easy Carve, Japanese Vinyl)
- Fine Sanding Block
- Water