Speedball Professional Relief Ink 6 Color Set - Water-Miscible

In this review the Speedball Professional Relief Ink 6 Color Set is examined for studio printmakers who need reliable, archival relief inks that are easier to clean up. The bottom line: this set is best for artists who want professional quality pigments and consistent working properties without solvent cleanup. It contains six 8oz cans that cover common color needs and includes a transparent base to adjust viscosity and transparency, making it a practical choice for linocut and woodcut printers who prioritize rich, crisp prints and straightforward cleanup.

Key Features

• Water-miscible, oil-based formulation: Cleans up with soap and water while still behaving like traditional oil-based ink, reducing solvent use in the studio.
• High quality pigments: Uses lightfast pigments with no added fillers to deliver intense color and archival permanence for prints meant to last.
• Professional working properties: Designed for consistent roll-out, even transfer and controlled tack so fine details are retained in each impression.
• Six-color starter set: Includes Super Graphic Black, Quinacridone Red, Hansa Yellow, Phthalo Blue, Titanium White and a Transparent Base, allowing for a wide color mix and layering techniques.
• Compact 8oz cans: Each color comes in an 8oz can that is easy to store and weigh out for small to medium print runs.

Who It's For

The set is aimed at professional and advanced student printmakers who want the look and working feel of oil-based inks but with the convenience of water cleanup; it suits studio linocut, relief and small edition work. Printmakers who need consistent roll-out, good tack and pigment strength will appreciate how the inks hold fine detail and layer cleanly.

Beginners who prefer acrylic or non-oil print inks may find the handling different at first, and those running very large commercial editions might prefer larger can sizes to reduce interruptions for refills. Still, the six basic colors and transparent base provide a flexible palette for most small studio projects.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Water-miscible oil-based formula simplifies cleanup without sacrificing oil-ink characteristics.
• High pigment load and lightfast colors produce rich, archival prints.
• Consistent roll-out and tack help retain fine detail across impressions.
• Includes a transparent base for tinting and adjusting body.

Cons

• Small 8oz cans may require frequent refills for larger edition work.

Specifications

Product type	Relief printmaking ink set
Contents	Six 8oz cans: Super Graphic Black, Quinacridone Red, Hansa Yellow, Phthalo Blue, Titanium White, Transparent Base
Ink base	Water-miscible oil-based formulation
Pigments	High quality, lightfast pigments with no added fillers
Intended use	Relief printmaking (linocut, woodcut, small editions)

Our Verdict

The Speedball Professional Relief Ink 6 Color Set is a strong choice for artists who want professional-grade ink performance with the convenience of soap-and-water cleanup. It delivers rich, consistent color and good working tack for detailed relief printing; while the 8oz cans are best for small to medium runs, the set offers excellent value for studio printmakers seeking archival results without solvents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can these inks be cleaned up without solvents?
Yes. The inks are water-miscible oil-based, so cleanup is possible with soap and water rather than traditional solvents.

Are the pigments lightfast and archival?
Yes. The set is formulated with high quality lightfast pigments and no added fillers for archival prints.

Is the transparent base useful?
Yes. The transparent base allows you to reduce tint strength, adjust body and extend colors for mixing and layering.