Cleaning Up After Printmaking Using Oil Based Inks

Printmaking using oil based inks is very messy - and as I am an untidy person, it is especially messy.  Oil based inks stay workable for a very long time, so printing up an edition of prints can span several evenings.  However, this 'staying power' of the inks also means that they are difficult to clean up.  The secret to it is to use vegetable oil to rub into and 'dilute' the inks - then use rags to clean them up.  Afterwards, I clean off everything with a couple of 'Wonder Wipes' - they are indeed wonder wipes, which de-grease all the surface and remove every last bit of ink.

I learned about the clean up process when I was a member of Dundee Contemporary Arts Print Studio (marvellous place).  There, I learned printmaking is done on durable, thick safety glass - this is an ideal surface to print on and then clean up.  You can see my safety glass on my desk, backed by white paper.  For cleaning, you can use any vegetable oil - just pour a little on the inks and rollers. To clean up the inks, mix the oil into the ink with a palette knife, and then scoop up the inky oil into the rags.  The rags are made out of whatever fabric you have to recycle - I use old t-shirts, socks and sheets.  As long as the fabric is somewhat absorbent.  Clean off your rollers by removing as much ink as possible by rolling them on scrap paper, then wipe down with a small amount of vegetable oil and a rag.  Do the same with your palette knives - remove excess ink first onto paper and wipe off the remainder with an oily rag.  I do a final clean of everything with a Wonder Wipe, including the glass.  You can watch the timelapse film below to see me cleaning in action!