# Best Oil Based Block Printing Inks, Including Water-Washable Source: https://inkedblock.com/best/best-oil-based-block-printing-ink Publisher: Inked Block. Picks are chosen from what each Amazon listing states, not from hands-on tests. Method: https://inkedblock.com/how-we-pick Oil based block printing ink (lino printing ink, or paint, as many call it) stays workable on the slab far longer than water based ink, which is why many linocut printers move to it. The old objection is cleanup with solvents. Water-washable oil inks remove it: Cranfield Caligo Safe Wash and Speedball Professional Relief Ink are oil based but clean up with soap and water, so they come first here. Traditional oil based ink is still sold, and its listing names mineral spirits or turpentine for cleanup; use solvents with ventilation and follow the label. What differs between the options: the type of oil ink, single tube or set, the volume, the number of colors and the cleanup. Drying is slow with every ink here: allow days, and expect warmth, dry air and airflow to speed it up. This guide compares six oil based inks and sets by base, volume, colors and cleanup, using only what the listings state. Nothing was tested. ## Picks ### 1. Cranfield Caligo, Safe Wash Relief Ink, 75ml Tube, Black, BKCN1860 Base: Oil, water washable; Volume: 75 ml tube; Colors: 1 (Black); Clean-up: Soap and water A 75 ml tube of black Caligo Safe Wash, an oil based relief ink from Cranfield in the UK that cleans up with soap and water. A sensible first tube for linocut in black before buying a set. What the listing offers: - Oil-based, but cleans up with soap and water, as the listing states. - Listed for all relief or block printing, letterpress and linocut. - Made by Cranfield in the UK; the same ink is sold in other colors in 75 ml tubes. Limits to know: - One color in a 75 ml tube, so a heavy user of black will run through it quickly. - The listing gives no drying time; oil based ink needs days, not hours. ### 2. Speedball Professional Relief Ink, Supergraphic Black, 5 Ounce Tube Base: Oil, water miscible; Volume: 5 oz tube; Colors: 1 (Supergraphic Black); Clean-up: Soap and water A 5 ounce tube of Supergraphic Black, Speedball's water-miscible oil based relief ink, developed with relief artist Bill Fick. It cleans up with soap and water; the listing describes rich, intense, crisp prints. What the listing offers: - Water-miscible, oil-based printmaking ink that cleans up with soap and water. - The listing states lightfast pigments with no added fillers. - Described as giving consistent roll-out, transfer and tack, and holding fine details. Limits to know: - Black only in this listing; other colors of the range are separate purchases. - No drying time is stated in the listing; allow days as with other oil based inks. ### 3. Cranfield Safe Wash Relief Ink Set of 6 (SWR6X75SET) Base: Oil, water washable; Volume: 6 x 75 ml tubes; Colors: 5 plus extender; Clean-up: Soap and water Six 75 ml tubes of Caligo Safe Wash relief ink: Carbon Black, Cyan, Magenta, Opaque White, Process Yellow and an Extender. A process-color starting point for multi-color linocut with soap and water cleanup. What the listing offers: - Set of six 75 ml tubes of relief ink, including Extender, as the listing states. - Process colors (Cyan, Magenta, Process Yellow) with Carbon Black and Opaque White as a base for mixing. - Oil-based, but cleans up with soap and water, per the listing. Limits to know: - One of the six tubes is Extender, so the set holds five colors, not six. - No drying time or paper guidance is stated in the listing. ### 4. Speedball 3476 Oil-Based Block Printing Ink Starter Set for Professional, Permanent Prints AP Certified - 1.25 FL OZ Tubes Base: Oil based (traditional); Volume: 6 x 1.25 fl oz tubes; Colors: 6; Clean-up: Mineral spirits, turpentine A starter set of six 1.25 fl oz tubes of traditional oil based block printing ink: blue, red, yellow, green, black and white. The listing states cleanup with mineral spirits or turpentine, so plan for ventilation. What the listing offers: - Six 1.25 oz tubes of oil-based block printing ink: Blue, Red, Yellow, Green, Black and White. - The listing states permanent, waterproof and archival quality prints on both paper and textiles. - The inks are AP non-toxic, according to the listing. Limits to know: - Cleanup needs mineral spirits or turpentine, as the listing states: soap and water will not do it. - Small 1.25 fl oz tubes, and no drying time is stated; traditional oil ink takes days to dry. ### 5. Speedball Premium Block Printing Ink Set - 6 Colors for Fabric and Paper - Water Soluble Oil Based Ink - 1.25 oz Each - Non Toxic Art Supplies Base: Oil, water miscible; Volume: 6 x 1.25 oz tubes; Colors: 6; Clean-up: Soap and water Six 1.25 oz tubes of Speedball water-miscible oil based block printing ink for fabric and paper. The listing says fabric prints air dry overnight without heat setting, and cleanup is with soap and water. What the listing offers: - Six opaque colors in 1.25 oz tubes, water-miscible oil based, for block printing on fabric and paper. - The listing says fabric prints need no heat setting and air dry overnight. - Cleanup with soap and water; ACMI AP certified and conforming to ASTM D-4236, per the listing. Limits to know: - Small 1.25 oz tubes, enough for trying colors rather than for an edition of large blocks. - The listing does not name the six colors and gives no drying time on paper. ### 6. Speedball Oil Relief Ink, 8-Ounce, Black for Block Printing Base: Oil based (traditional); Volume: 8 oz; Colors: 1 (Black); Clean-up: not stated An 8 ounce container of black Speedball oil based block printing ink. The listing states permanent, waterproof results and AP certification; it does not say how to clean up, so check the label before buying solvents. What the listing offers: - 8 ounce size of black oil-based block printing ink, far more than the 1.25 oz tubes in the starter sets. - The listing states that the ink gives a permanent result and is waterproof. - ACMI AP Certified and conforms to ASTM D-4236; can be used as is or mixed with other colors. Limits to know: - The cleanup method is not stated here; the Speedball oil based starter set names mineral spirits or turpentine. - No drying time is given, and the listing does not say whether the container is a jar or a tube. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.