Person holding a brayer with blue ink, inking up a wood block with a tree design carved into it.

Recipe: Natural, Water-based, Relief Printmaking Ink

This recipe is based on the very ancient and little-known Japanese process called the Moku Hanga technique of making your own water-based relief inks.

This ancient technique has always used all non-toxic ingredients. The ink is for wood block prints but can also be used for linoleum cuts and mono prints.

Prints on paper made using green, blue and red ink made from Earth & Mineral Pigments

Ingredients: 

Optional Ingredients:

  • Magnesium Carbonate

Tools: 

3 packets of Earth & Mineral Pigments (red, blue & green) sitting on a table next to 2 containers of Nori Paste, a bottle of isopropyl alcohol, glass jars and palette knives

Step 1: Mix 1 tsp alcohol and 1 tsp. water (1:1).

Person wearing gloves and an apron creating a gin and water mixture in a small container

Step 2: Mix pigment with gin/water mixture in a small container to make creamy ink consistency.

Person added blue pigments into the gin / water mixture and is now stirring it up using a wooden stick

Step 3: Scoop ink onto palette.

Person using a putty knife to scoop the blue ink mixture onto a glass surface.

Step 4: Add 1-2 tsp. Nori paste, thinned with a little water.

Person's hand adding some of the creamy white Nori Paste to the blue ink on the glass surface.

Optional: If ink needs to be thicker, add Magnesium Carbonate (Mag. Mix- optional), about ½ tsp., adjusting as needed.

Person's hand adding magnesium carbonate to the blue ink mixture to thicken the ink

Step 5: Continue to mix with a palette knife until the ingredients are evenly combined.

Person's hand using a putty knife to mix up blue ink made from Earth & Mineral Pigments

Step 6: Roll out until it’s evenly coating the roller (note: if it’s not sticking to the roller well, add more Nori).

Person using a brayer to roll out the blue ink mixture on the glass surface.

Step 7: Roll onto your printing surface. 

Person holding a brayer with blue ink, inking up a wood block with a tree design carved into it.

Step 8: Print with your desired technique, either with a press or with a barren.

Person pulling up a piece of paper from the block revealing a print of the blue trees

Notes:

  • The ancient Japanese technique is to actually brush the inks on the woodblocks with a wide, short bristled brush, rubbing the ink into wood vigorously. They also used wet paper to print on, although dry is what we used. 
  • This recipe makes enough ink to make 1-2 prints. Mix more to make more prints.
  • All pigments have different absorption qualities and drying times, so adjust the recipe as needed.

Recipe from printmaker Shannon Yost.

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