Etching blankets

When a print is being made the blanket pushes the paper fibres into the grooves in the plate. These grooves are filled with ink. When the paper is pushed into the grooves the paper will absorb the ink.

Don't use more felt than necessary!
For a "normal" etch blanket of 2 or 3 mm thick do the job very well. If the plates are deep etched (embossing) a thicker blanket is required (or multiple layers). If you have a normal etch , and you use more blanket than necessary, you will have to set more pressure on the press to get the same result. The "contact line" will be wider with thicker blankets.

Blankets are made of wool. A glue keeps the wool fibres together. The glue makes the wool slightly stiff. This is the reason that some printmakers, in specific cases, prefer woven blanket. (very fine details, for example)

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Pressed blanket 2 mm thick
Pressed blanket 2 mm thick
To press the paper into the grooves on the plate, to absorb the ink
Pressed blanket, 3 mm thick
Pressed blanket, 3 mm thick
To press the paper into the grooves on the plate, to absorb the ink
Pressed wool blanket, thickness 4 mm
Pressed wool blanket, thickness 4 mm
Om het papier in de groeven te drukken
Woven wool felt blanket 3 mm
Woven wool felt blanket 3 mm
Om het papier in de groeven te drukken