AKUA INTAGLIO
WATER-BASED INK
Instructions
Table of Contents
Ink Consistency
Akua Intaglio is
different from
traditional inks in that
it has a buttery or
liquid consistency.
Separation also occurs,
therefore mixing is
necessary before using.
Place the ink knife
directly in the ink
container and stir. Mix
well from the bottom of
the container to the
top. Akua Intaglio will
never harden or form a
skin in the container or
when left uncovered. The
ink consistency varies
depending upon the
pigment and temperature
conditions. Ink will be
stiffer when cold and
looser when warm.
When trying Akua
Intaglio for the first
time, we recommend using
it right from the jar
without modification.
However, if a stiffer
consistency is desired,
it is best to use the
Oil Converter.
Akua Oil
Converter
Before mixing, work
the Oil Converter with
the ink knife till it’s
smooth. Then add Akua
Intaglio Ink into the
Oil Converter. Start
with small amounts until
the desired thickness is
achieved. To Loosen ink,
work ink with an ink
knife under a warm lamp,
hair dryer, or a hot
plate set a very low
temperature.
Akua Oil
Converter
Mixing Colors
Create new colors by
mixing Akua Intaglio
inks with one another
using an ink knife, or
by adding Akua Kolor
into Akua Intaglio. Akua
Kolor is so highly
concentrated that a few
drops added to the same
Akua Intaglio color will
enrich it. Note: Akua
Intaglio will
temporarily thicken when
Akua Kolor is added to
it.
Wiping the plate
Akua Intaglio is very
soft ink. It applies and
wipes off the plate much
easier and quicker than
oil-based inks.
Therefore, at first
there may be a tendency
to remove too much ink.
For best results, use
cheesecloth, or very
soft tarlatan to wipe
the surface of the
plate. Roll the
cheesecloth or soft
tarlatan into a large
ball shape. Follow
through with a paper
wipe if necessary. Be
careful not to press
your fingers into the
inked surface of the
plate. Since the ink is
soft, it will transfer
fingerprint impressions
easily.
David Jay Reed
cards the ink on the
plate
Printing on Paper
Akua Intaglio ink
prints well on most
standard printmaking
papers. We suggest
conducting a test by
printing the same plate
twice. Make one print on
dry paper and another
print on dampened paper.
Your results may depend
upon individual plate
characteristics and the
type of paper used.
David Jay Reed
printing a four color
intaglio print
Printing on
dry paper
offers higher contrast
prints. It also
eliminates the
possibility of paper
shrinkage making it
ideal for printing
multi-registered plates
or combining prints with
digital ink jet or
letterpress images.
Increase the press
pressure and use soft
printmaking papers when
printing on dry paper.
If the print results are
blotchy or inconsistent
it may be necessary to
dampen the paper.
Printing on
damp paper may
offer greater tonal
values and more
consistent print results
for aquatints. Soak the
paper for 30 seconds and
blot thoroughly before
using.
Four Color Intaglio-type
print by David Jay Reed
Re-Soaking Prints
Akua Intaglio ink is
permanent. If necessary,
prints may be placed in
a tray of water
immediately after
printing. Do not soak
prints too long and be
careful not to touch the
image while wet.
Print Drying Times
Akua Intaglio ink
does not contain dryers.
Typically a shallow
bitten plate will take
24 hours to dry. Deeply
bitten plates may take 2
weeks or longer. Drying
time may also depend
upon paper absorbency,
climate, and the amount
of ink applied. Glossy
or coated papers are not
reliable.
Cleaning Up
First, clean all inky
surfaces, rollers, and
plates with a dry rag.
Use 1 part liquid dish
detergent to 20 parts
water for cleaning up
any remaining ink
residue. Use a little
vinegar diluted with
water to clean any soap
build up if necessary.
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TROUBLE SHOOTING
Ink dries too light on
the print
- Stir the ink
thoroughly in jar
before using
- Try different
papers
- If using Carbon
Black, try Lamp
Black
- Paper may be too
wet (blot before
using)
- Plate may be
over wiped (apply
ink with a rubber
squeegee or wipe
with less
hand-pressure,
softer tarlatan, or
just paper wipe)
- Add Akua Kolor
to the ink to enrich
Ink dries too dark on
the print
- Add Transparent
Base to the ink to
reduce the color
intensity.
Transparent Base
Print dries too matte
- Add Akua Oil
Converter to the ink
Etched lines bleed on
finished print
- Paper may be too
wet (blot before
using)
- Try different
papers
- Add Akua Oil
Converter to the ink
Heavy inked prints dry
slowly
- Toxic Cobalt and
Manganese dryers are
not recommended
- Dry prints in a
well-ventilated area
- Avoid humid
environments
- Allow ample time
for drying (prints
will dry)
Ink wipes out from
incised lines
- Ink may be too
loose (stiffen the
ink with Akua Oil
Converter)
Print lacks plate tone
- Loosen the ink
by warming with hair
dyer or hot plate.
- Print on damp
paper
Print has too much plate
tone
- Stiffen the ink
with Akua Oil
Converter
- Print on dry
paper
- Wipe more
thoroughly with
paper
Prints dry blotchy
- Dampen the paper
- Avoid touching
the inked surface of
the plate and
transferring
fingerprints
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Rostow & Jung All Rights
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