Frequently asked questions:

  • What does water-soluble mean? Water-soluble inks are formulated to be dissolvable by water. This means that the inks will move, bleed or rinse off when encountering water after printing.
  • Can I remove Speedball’s Water-Soluble Inks from my clothing? Speedball’s Water-Soluble Block Printing Inks can be removed from clothing. As quickly as possible, blot the excess ink from the fabric. Place a stain remover (e.g. Tide, Shout, etc.) to pre-treat the area and then wash as directed.
  • What is the open time for Speedball’s Water-Soluble Block Printing Inks? While superior to the open time offered by competitive water-soluble block printing inks, Speedball’s Water-Soluble Inks do dry more quickly than oil-based alternatives. Environmental factors like humidity and temperature can also impact the ink’s open time. To increase working time, simply add Speedball’s Water-Soluble Block Printing Ink Retarder during roll-out.
  • What modifiers are available for use with Speedball’s Water-Soluble Block-Printing Inks? The following modifiers are available for use with Speedball’s Water-Soluble Block Printing Inks:
  • Speedball’s Water-Soluble Block Printing Ink Retarder: Slows ink’s drying time while maintaining viscosity; Speedball’s Water-Soluble Block Printing Ink Transparent Extender Base: Creates subtle, transparent colors while maintaining viscosity; Speedball’s Water-Soluble Block Printing Ink Pearlescent Base: Adds shimmering/iridescent effects to water-soluble ink colors.
  • What surfaces can I use with Speedball’s Water-Soluble Block Printing Inks? Speedball’s Water-Soluble Block Printing Inks are ideal for printing with linoleum, wood or soft block surfaces. They are also suitable for use with polyprint plates or Styrofoam.
  • What brayers are recommended for use with Speedball’s Water-Soluble Block Printing Inks? Soft Rubber Brayers are ideally-suited for use with Speedball’s Water-Soluble Block Printing Inks. Speedball’s Water-Soluble Block Printing Inks are also suitable for use with Foam Brayers.
  • Are Speedball’s Water-Soluble Inks available in sets? Yes! Speedball’s Water-Soluble Block Printing Inks are available in (3) Sets--Block Printing Ink Starter Set: Includes (6) 1.25oz. tubes of Water-Soluble Block Printing Ink (Red, Blue, Yellow, Black, White, Gold); Basic Block Printing Ink Set: Includes (4) 1.25oz. tubes of Water-Soluble Block Printing Ink (Red, Blue, Yellow, Black); Block Printing Metallic Ink Set: Includes (4) 1.25oz. tubes of Water-Soluble Block Printing Ink (Silver, Gold, Pewter, Copper).