Speedball Oil-Based Relief Ink, Turquoise, 8 oz – dickblick.com
Sanding Block, 220 grit – amazon.com
Rag or Paper Towels
Gloves
FAQS: If you have questions about this lesson, reply below!
Q: Does the ink I use to stain my woodblock have to be the type/brand the instructor recommends?
Any ink can be used for staining purposes. Even regular acrylic ink diluted with water can work fine. However, oil-based ink is your instructor’s preferred choice as it penetrates the surface better and doesn’t contain water. It’s important to note that any water-based ink or stain can cause the wood’s grain to rise. You want a perfectly smooth surface for carving and printing, so it is always recommended to buff the surface with a 220-grit sanding block after staining.
Q: My woodblock warped after applying the stain. Is that a problem?
A small amount of warping on the plate is acceptable for printing. If it bothers you, apply stain to both sides of the wood, then lay it flat to dry. This should correct the issue.