Through extensive collaboration with the Tamarind Institute in Albuquerque, part of the University of New Mexico USA and the Centre for Fine Print Research at the University of the West of England UK, Cranfield now offer three specialist lithographic blacks to the acclaim and relief of the International Lithographic community. Using historic raw materials and Cranfield’s method of manufacture involving dry colour mixing and triple-roll milling, the three inks fulfil the following functions:
BK1930 – Loose Roll-Up Black
The Roll-Up Black is a non-drying black lithographic ink, with very low viscosity. It is used to provide a temporary protection to lithographic stones in storage between editions. Cranfield’s Roll-Up Black can be used without modification from the tin. It has a greasy, highly adhesive nature and is formulated to be resistant to erosion by creating a waxy, greasy barrier that helps the protect the image on the stone. As it is a non-drying ink, remaining wet and pliable, it can easily be removed with solvent when needed. Roll-Up Black is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the image throughout the lithographic process, ensuring that the final print accurately reflects the artist’s original drawing.
BK1966 – Workshop Black
The Workshop Black is a half-way house between the Loose Roll-Up black and Stiff Crayon Black inks. The proportions of the blend have been formulated after extensive consultation with our partner universities, institutions, and individual lithographers to provide a highly pigmented ink but with ease of use. The controlled properties of viscosity, tack (stickiness), drying time, and the ability to roll up smoothly on the printing surface make this the go-to compromise in many studios.
BK1977 – Stiff Crayon Black
This ink has been formulated to meet the demand for a very stiff Lithography black to match the historic formulations previously available but latterly increasingly difficult to source. Such is the extremely high viscosity and tack of this very popular formulation, a tin can be picked up from the bench, simply be inserting an ink knife into the ink! Stiff Crayon Black provides a velvet black colour and along with the other two inks in the series, is formulation for traditional lithography, using high-quality pigments and modern grinding techniques.
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