Akua Liquid Pigment

Are Akua Inks water-based or water-soluble?

Akua Intaglio Ink is not water-soluble. The Intaglio process requires printing on damp paper which is incompatible with water soluble inks. Akua Liquid Pigment however, is water-soluble. It prints best on dry paper and cleans up with just water. Both Akua Intaglio and Akua Liquid Pigment have water among their bases' ingredients.

Why are my prints drying so slowly?

Akua Inks dry by absorption, not evaporation, because they do not contain any toxic cobalt dryers. How long the inks will take to dry will depend both on the type of paper that was used for printing, glossy or coated papers are NOT recommended for use with Akua Inks for this reason. Additionally, how heavily the ink is applied will affect the dry time. As a result, if there are any layers of ink that have not been pressed into the fibers of the paper, they will not dry.

Are Akua Inks and Modifiers compatible with Gel Printing Plates?

Speedball Gel Printing Plates were specially formulated for use with printmaking inks and are ideally suited for use with Akua inks. Akua Intaglio Inks are also compatible with other brands of gel printing plates but cannot be used with homemade gelatin plates as these plates will resist the ink due to their soy base. Akua Liquid Pigment Inks may be used both with competitive gel printing plates and homemade gelatin plates.

Does every modifier work with Akua Intaglio or Liquid Pigment Ink?

While Akua Transparent Base, Release Agent and Blending Medium can be used with Akua Intaglio or Liquid Pigment, the other modifiers are specially-formulated for use with just one of the lines. Akua Liquid Pigment Retarder, Extender, and Tack Thickener are only recommended for use with Liquid Pigment. Conversely, Mag Mix should only be used with Akua Intaglio Inks.