Best Printmaking Inks of 2025

"As a seasoned artist, I found the quality of this ink wonderful! I used it for my wedding favors, and they turned out beautifully. The ink dries quickly and is very easy to use. It spreads beautifully and goes a long way; I made over 100 prints and still have ink left!"

"I bought this set after taking a lino print course. These inks are sticky yet easy to roll over designs. They were touch dry in minutes, allowing me to create multi-color designs without waiting too long. The colors are strong and opaque, and surprisingly, a little goes a long way!"

"While I appreciate this set, it was a bit small for my needs. It works well for individual projects, but I wouldn't recommend it for a class or large group setting."

"I've found this ink to be excellent quality and very easy to use. The deep black color is fantastic, and it dries quickly. It also washes off easily, making cleanup a breeze. I've purchased it multiple times and plan to try more colors!"

"I think these inks are decent for the price. They work well for my practice prints before I use higher quality inks on my final projects. It's perfect for students and beginners like me in block printing!"

"I used this ink for a printmaking project with my second and third graders. It came off desks and hands easily, and it was thick enough to roll onto rollers without any issues. Overall, a good experience!"

"This printing ink has been fantastic for my daughter's project. It's incredibly easy to clean because it's water-soluble, and it makes her work look really clean and professional. She used it with Rubber Stamp Carving Blocks, and it adapts well to different paper textures. It dries quickly and does not run when touched. I even took pictures of her work to show the nice textures achieved. Plus, it has a matte finish. A little goes a long way!"

"I've been learning linocut printing, and I can say that following expert advice makes a huge difference. Initially, I tried to be clever and skimped on the ink, thinking I could just brush it on, but that was a mistake! Rolling out the ink properly and applying it evenly led to much better prints. The cleanup is also very straightforward, which I appreciate!"

"Speedball consistently produces reliable print supplies at a great price. This dye works wonderfully with a good consistency, but I must remind others to be cautious about using too much since it’s a loose dye. Overall, I would definitely recommend it!"

"I was initially concerned about the ink's thicker consistency, but my instructor assured me it would work well. To my delight, we achieved great results with linocuts, acrylic etchings, and gelatin prints. Other students even asked to borrow my ink after seeing how well it performed. My instructor plans to recommend this ink to future classes due to its good value and results. While I noticed comments about the drying time, it wasn’t an issue for me since the outcome was beautiful. I've already purchased another batch!"

"I absolutely loved the colors of this ink; they are so rich and pigmented! However, I found it a bit sticky on certain papers. After several weeks, I noticed that the prints still weren't dry, which made them unsuitable for selling or shipping. Despite that, the vibrancy of the colors is impressive."

"Using this ink for my block prints was a challenge. No matter how thin the layer, the ink remained sticky and was reactivated by the slightest moisture even after days of hanging. I wish there had been instructions regarding curing or heat treatment. I think this product might be fine for crafts but not for professional artists seeking quality prints."

"I've been using this brand for years, and it always makes my projects look great. The finish feels soft and nice, not stiff like fabric paint. However, I did have some issues with transport, as some jars leaked due to heat exposure, but that won't stop me from buying again!"

"This was my first attempt at screen printing, and it couldn't have been easier. The ink shows up well, even on dark fabrics, and a little goes a long way. I did notice a small spill from one jar during shipping, but overall, I would definitely buy this again and recommend it to beginners."

"I had high hopes for this ink after reading it could be used with stamps. It’s super easy to use and cleanup is a breeze! I just wish I had discovered it sooner; it will be my go-to for stamping inks from now on!"

“I am extremely happy with this kit. It allows me to experiment with new inks without a huge investment. The colors included mean I can mix my own and extend my options. I will most likely buy it again.”

“I hadn't tried the inks yet, but I noticed that one of the bottles leaked a bit, making the others sticky. I recommend more secure bottle lids.”

“These metallic inks are awesome! I mix them with the primaries to create shimmery colors—it’s really fun to play with! The photo shows some stamp prints I made using the metallics.”

"I'm really impressed with the colors; they're exactly what I needed for my project!"

"I've used these inks for printing tests, and I find the results quite good!"

"These 20ml tubes are a good start for getting a feel for linocut printing, although I wish they were a bit larger for more extensive projects."

"The quality is excellent for the price, and I would definitely purchase again."

"This product has been fantastically useful for my prints; they turned out beautifully!"

"I think it's a good price for good ink. You really can't go wrong with Speedball."

"While this ink works great for my art class, I was disappointed that the yellow was all dried up."

"I'm thrilled to be back in business with lino prints! This ink is so much better to work with than the Speedball water-based ink, and there's a lot more of it for the price. I'm eager to explore their other colors, but first, I need to grab more linoleum to carve. The ink applies smoothly to paper, even by hand, and it dries in about an hour!"

"I really enjoyed this product. I got it for my art room, and the kids had a blast printing with it!"

"While I loved the consistency of this ink for my prints, I found that it can smudge once dry, which was disappointing. I plan to try using a fixative to see if that helps, but it does add an extra step to my process, hence the four stars. I'm also considering trying a different type, like acrylic made for screen printing, which is available for a good price."

"I used this to paint some kitchen dish towels. The results were fantastic! I have plenty of paint left for another project. Really nice product!"

"I decided to try this ink after watching videos about coloring synthetic hair. While it made my scrunchies usable, I recommend using it in a well-ventilated area to avoid headaches."

"I found this ink to be great for screen printing! Although I noticed some wear after the first wash, I should have washed it inside out and on cold."