Printmaking Rollers & Brayers: 12 Things to Know About Shore Hardness, Size and Choosing the Right Roller
A comprehensive guide on printmaking rollers and brayers, focusing on Shore hardness, material, diameter, width, ink coverage, cleaning, and storage. It explains that Shore hardness measures resistance to indentation, with lower numbers indicating softer rollers and higher numbers harder ones. Soft rollers (25-30 Shore) conform to uneven surfaces like lino and woodblocks, while harder rollers (60-70 Shore) preserve fine detail. Roller diameter affects ink distribution; larger diameters cover more area per rotation. Width should suit block size, and multiple rollers are useful for different colors and techniques. Proper cleaning and storage prevent damage. The guide includes tips on pressure, ink quantity, and troubleshooting, emphasizing that technique and understanding specifications lead to better prints.
Key facts
- Shore hardness measures resistance to indentation; lower numbers mean softer rollers, higher numbers harder.
- Soft rollers (25-30 Shore) are ideal for uneven surfaces, while hard rollers (60-70 Shore) preserve fine detail.
- Roller diameter affects ink distribution; larger diameters cover more area per rotation.
- Roller width should be slightly wider than the block for single-color printing.
- Excessive pressure can force ink into carved areas and cause inconsistent ink thickness.
- Too much ink leads to filled-in fine lines and longer drying times.
- Rollers should be cleaned immediately after use and stored properly to avoid flat spots.
- There is no universally best roller; choice depends on printing technique and block characteristics.
Entities
Institutions
- Essdee
- Lawrence
- Speedball
Locations
- UK
- USA