Hand-Pulled Monotype Printing with Akua Inks and Pin Press

Susan Rostow, inventor of Akua Intaglio and Liquid Pigment Inks, gives a step-by-step overview demonstrating how to create a hand-pulled monotype print using the Akua Pin Press. Video features Akua Intaglio and Liquid Pigments Inks and highlights reductive and additive techniques, creating wash effects, choosing the right paper, and how to print using Akua's portable printing press. Akua Inks' unique working properties are highlighted throughout the demonstration including their extended working time and soap and water cleanup.
Take a Hands-on Workshop: Ongoing workshops using Akua Inks are held at Susan Rostow's Brooklyn Studio. For the Brooklyn Studio schedule, please visit: www.SusanRostow.com
Director/Editor: Heddi Vaughan Siebel
Director of Cinematography: Brian Dowley
Original Music: Dewey Dellay
Sound Mix: Raul Rosa

[@tracymarshall-johnson1417]

Thank you so much for showing cleanup. It's something that gets left out and self taught artists like me really appreciate it!

[@akuaprintshop4511]

Clean-up is one of our favorite parts because its so easy with Akua! Thrilled to hear you enjoyed the video and getting the knowledge you are looking for.

[@speedball_art]

So glad Lawrence Art was able to help you and that you're enjoying experimenting with the inks! Thanks for tuning in!

[@rodolfolarrea8493]

Susan is one the best in youtube and a genius artist ...

[@lizkirby8805]

Amazing !!! You are a wonderful artist and educator! Thank you so much

[@akuaprintshop4511]

Thank you for the lovely comment and for watching! New video coming soon on monochromatic printing, so stay tuned!

[@Samahra01]

I love the parfait...very resourceful and I really appreciate that!!!

[@DeniseLush]

this is all very interesting. A lot like gel printing but the products are different! I love the idea of having that black ink in a bottle with a fine tip! I love playing with the gel plate and would love to try this technique as well!

[@akuaprintshop4511]

Thank you Denise! Those are our needle applicators, they're great!

[@sophiew1967]

Denise ,look on EBay at came decorating/ came icing supplies or buy a bottle and steel nib that's used for silk painting & use one for your thinner ink .

[@DeniseLush]

@@sophiew1967 thanks Sophie.

[@MrTangotoes]

great video, a range of techniques, I especially like the clean up section as I would have had a go and then been stuck with dirty equipment. Thanks,

[@tamsinthai]

'pin press' - $239.67. Stainless steel rolling pin - $7.5

[@akuaprintshop4511]

The Akua Pin Press is definitely a crowd favorite! Thanks for watching!

[@Pila426]

Beautiful and fascinating!

[@lizprint2011]

Thank you for this. I managed to find a supplier in the UK - Lawrence Art Supplies . Busy playing around with monoprints and really liking your ink.

[@sophiew1967]

I really enjoyed watching you create that monoprint ,reminded me of one of Brian Eno or David Byrne"s album covers on one of the earlier ambient masterpieces Mr Eno has created over the years :) I notice our friend below has left the elephant in the room of all observations comparing your pin press to a rolling on ..lol..HOWEVER .sorry I'm a total newby to pin presses and only read about them yesterday ,we really are incredibly limited here in the UK as to what's available supplies wise ,even in specialist art shops & I' s never heard about these before .SO.I.studied product design/ engineering many years ago so can see that it's been designed & crafted to a very high standard hence the price ...I also noticed ( this really appealed to me as I'm 've now got MS pretty badly & my days of cranking the handle of an enormous Victorian flat bed press are long gong) and the way you appeared to just glide across the paper without applying enormous pressure would solve 90% of my problems trying to print again from home after a 3 yrs absence ,also the floor of my.Victoria cottage would cave in if I tried to buy a beautiful old reconditioned press or even if I converted a mangle..the floorboards are just dreadful but I' m renting so it's tough t*tty for me!.lol.So how does this exactly work ?? Is it very heavy ,it doesn't look like it is & if not how is it applying such even pressure without you either readjusting the depth of applying any woman power & sheer strength to add pressure..that bit I don't understand ? I found this tonight online in a printing supply company based in London for over £200 ,I see it's milled & polished beautifully by hand it sedms..but why is it so expensive compared say to a baren & I' he even found some really fancy handmade glass ones for sale the other day on Etsy..I.want to do some relief printing at home ,simple collagraphs just built up & etched away card & paper etc ,some tetrapak drypoint style prints & some mini prints...so I'm m after a simple press to cover those techniques that won't break the bank . Sorry this is so long ..lol.how does this pin roller work ?is it weighted in some special way & will it cope with both scribed/ carved plates as well as built up.card collagraphs,surely one would need a felt pad for a more textured 3D plate.The UK is back in full lockdown again & I.have h ad to put myself in lockdown since he end of last March ,after 8 mths...yeah it's time to get my frustrations out on some paper & ink.!😉 I.wish I.was rich ,had to.leave my.job ages ago working with severely disabled adults...life is ironic to say the least !

[@crispypoohs]

I waaaaant that giant rolling pin

[@euearte-galeriadearteonlin8722]

Muito bom! Parabéns!

[@annbritton1669]

Hello, love what you do its mesmerizing, will that pin press work for me? I make a lot of lino prints using the soft easy carve and mono prints using a gelli plate I love the sophisticated results you get and am willing to invest in your products I just want to make sure they will work.

[@sophiew1967]

I correct myself..I found the Pin Press in Lawrence's printing supply shop here in the UK for £325 tonight & not £200 ..:(

[@sandrapalmer138]

This a wonderful video. How big is the "plate" you are working on? Is it tempered glass? How thick is the glass and does it sit in a frame or do you just have it taped?

[@milesmartin4958]

What is the difference between this product and a metal rolling pin that costs a fifth the price?

[@yasingh9456]

Hi , susan Is there is permanent ink used for intaglio printing on plastic or polymer paper ? Thank you

[@lettibu]

hi which kind of roller you use...it s all metal, its heavy

[@akuaprintshop4511]

We are using one of our Needle Applicators from the Akua Needle Applicator Set. You can learn more about these great tools by visiting the "Pens and Applicators" section Akua's website.

[@UjwalaPrabhu]

Akua Printshop I recently tried out the needle applicator. With hardly any pressure at all it left scratches on my petg board forcing me to etch on it instead of being able to recycle it for repeated use. I had 2 questions- is there any way I can smoothen these tips? Secondly can I use the akua liquid ink in a fountain pen or will it destroy the pen? Thank you.

[@1stcathy]

It didn't look like the print paper was dampened. Is that your usual - smooth, dry paper? Is that because ink is waterbased?

[@christinewrestsmith6957]

powder on breyers for storing????? is that simply whiting powder please?? and why???

[@lizprint2011]

What is the great drawing tool you are using to put down your fine lines? Really good video, thanks.

[@christinewrestsmith6957]

Powder on the brayers???

[@shepdoganimations6360]

Can you tell me what the little squuezy bottle you use for drawing with the ink is please? Thank you :)

[@amys1706]

Hi, I wonder if the plate will move when placing the pin on top? There’s nothing to anchor the plate and the paper onto the working surface...the plate may skid, no?

[@akuaprintshop4511]

Great question! If you put a very small drop of water or even moisten the area below your plate with a damp paper towel, the plate will stick down to the table and will be held in place. Typically the paper and plate will stick together naturally enough to not throw off the registration, but moistening the surface below will really do the trick.

[@agneshosni4787]

What’s the powder used?

[@MathinusG]

Thanks, but is it out of focus for everyone else too?

[@jhoffmanwy]

Don't know if you're monitoring these comments, but if you are, I am wondering if you soak the size out of your paper before printing or just use it dry? Great video - has given me the itch to do monoprints again!

[@DancingQueenie]

jhoffmanwy from what I've learned working with Akua inks, you have to dampen WATERCOLOR paper but if you're using printmaking paper, you don't.

[@davidannett3322]

Just got mine today! any flexibility with ink type? can i use liquid acrylic maybe?

[@goilo888]

Late reply, but the problem with acrylic is that it dries so quickly. You would have to work very fast in order to do a mono-print. I can testify that Akua Liquid Pigment does indeed stay wet on the palette, or plate, for many days - and probably much, much longer.

[@annasteele9464]

Do you re-use the plastic you paint on?

[@DancingQueenie]

Anna Steele you can clean the acrylic plates with water that has a few drops of Dawn in it - very dilute soapy water. Then wipe it with Bounty (lint free) paper towels. And it's ready to use again.

[@katmcgee9516]

I could not quite catch what it is your sprinkle on the bracers for storing?

[@jsmorris]

Kat McGee is probably Magnesium carbonate

[@DancingQueenie]

Kat McGee I use cornstarch to keep the brayers dry.

[@CoxJoxSox]

What is that table made out of? Is that tempered glass?

[@davidannett3322]

Yes

[@marciacrosby6170]

Unfortunately the image is flashing, so I can't watch it; looks like it might be very informative; pls considering re-editing process

[@davidannett3322]

no issues with the video here

[@melkolstad4239]

Same here - worked fine for me!