Which Intaglio Ink is the Best for Collagraphs?

In this video, I compare two different intaglio collagraph inks and discuss the pros and cons of each.
The first ink is a water-based ink that is easy to clean up and doesn't require any special ventilation.
The second ink is a oil-based ink that dries more quickly and gives a more consistent result.
Both inks have their pros and cons, but I certainly have a favourite
TIMESTAMPS
02:22 Introduction
04:14 Introducing Intaglio Inks
09:08 Inking Up The Collagrpah Plates
13:11 Wiping The Collagrpah Plates
14:25 Printing The Collagraph
16:17 Discussion
MATERIALS:
Black Intaglio Ink by Intaglio Printmaker
Black Intaglio Ink by Akua
2 x pre-made Collagraph plates
Pallet knife
Tissue Paper
Paper: 250 gsm smooth watercolour paper
Old toothbrush
Scrim
Baby wipes
Newsprint Paper
Old newspaper for wiping etc
Sunflower oil and white spirit for cleaning up
Polymetaal Press HS-35 Tabletop Etching Press (edited)
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#collagraph
#intaglio
#printmaking
Collagraph refers to a type of intaglio printmaking technique intaglio where textured materials are glued onto a flat surface to create an intagliographic plate. The raised areas of the collagraphic plate will hold ink while intaglio the recessed areas will not, resulting in an intagliographic image. Often, different materials can be used to create different effects - for example, hard materials will create sharp lines while softer materials will create fuzzy lines. Intagliographers typically use a variety of materials to create their collagraphs, including cardboard, fabric, string, or even leaves! Once the collagraphic plate is completed, it is inked and wiped in the same manner as an etching plate, and then passed through a printing press along with a sheet of paper. The end result is a beautiful, unique print!

[@thomascarruthers]

Greetings. Try Cranfield Inks. They are made to wash up with dish soap and water. Great consistency. I also use the Akua. Pronounced Ah-koo-Ah

[@CollagraphPrinting]

Thank you. Good to know there’s another brand out there!

[@starvingartistscollective]

Enjoyed seeing your ink comparison experiment, very informative. TFS!! I was first taught to clean up conventional inks such as Intaglio with solvents ... but afterwards was taught to use the cheapest vegetable oil I could find and finally go over with soap and water to break up the vegetable oil. Has worked well. To soften conventional inks I was taught to use a drop or 2 of printmaker's burnt linseed oil or Gamblin's Easy Wipe gel . I also use the Akua inks as well. Akua soft inks used with conventional firm inks are great for viscosity printing. Love to see your process and works!

[@CollagraphPrinting]

Thank you 🙏 That’s so interesting what you said about mixing conventional inks with akua for viscosity printing, I can see why that would work. I must give it a try!

[@jekalambert9412]

My foray into Akua ink was a disaster! Like you, I wanted to avoid having to use solvents, so being able to clean up with soap and water seemed like a perfect option - UNTIL I tried them. #1 I was doing a project for a class I was teaching and the Akua ink NEVER dried despite me leaving it in a warm room for several days, then resorting to putting the prints in my car for 2 weeks when the outside temperature was over 105 degrees F. BTW, my car was parked in the SUN!!! so I'm guessing the internal temperature was probably close to 150 degrees. #2 When I touched the prints after days indoors and 2 weeks in my car, my fingers picked up the ink and I got fingerprints on my prints. #3 Then, I attempted to color my prints using watercolor. Because Akua is water soluble, the ink dissolved and made a muddy mess of the few remaining prints that hadn't been destroyed by fingerprints. NEVER AGAIN!!! I'm now happily using Caligio Safe Wash.

[@CollagraphPrinting]

Oh no what a shame! I am still using Akua, I only had a problem with the black. Do you intaglio or relief print?

[@annemoar5743]

Intaglio can be cleaned off with vegetable oil.

[@marionwigzell7334]

Hi Marta. I switched to Akua from oil based inks quite a while ago. I was concerned about my own health as well as that of the environment. Akua have some great vlogs on KZbin, if you haven’t already seen them. Also a free product use booklet on their website. It was great to see a side by side (-: Marion ❤

[@CollagraphPrinting]

Thank you Marion, yes they have a great KZbin channel. I’m really enjoying using them!

[@romelmadray6706]

I am trying to understand the difference between printmaking inks. For example I have used Speedball Professional Relief Inks for Lino cuts (Oil Based inks) works so so and gets hard but thinking about trying the colligraph techniques but unsure if I should keep on using this for the colligraphs or change over to the intaglio inks. What is the difference and is one (relief inks vs intaglio) more suited to a certain process colligraph vs relief printing than the other and if so why?

[@CollagraphPrinting]

Good question. Etching Inks tend to be looser and less tacky, so they can print better for the intaglio technique. I Wouk use either for both techniques but check the consistency. So if you want to print relief plate with etching ink, you can use various stiffeners like magi mix for akua or even just a bit of chalk powder. To loosen inks you can use refines linseed oil. Hope this helps

[@katmcgee9516]

Are you using various ratios of mercacious with mediums to change ‘values’ on your plates? I have not tried mercacious oxide; but am beginning playing with carborundum and some other pastes and gels!

[@CollagraphPrinting]

Not this video but you are absolutely right, you can mix micasious iron oxide with acrylic mediums to change its value. carborundum is a great way to get dark tones too