Description

The printmaking studio presents some of the most demanding cleaning challenges in all of studio practice. Oil-based relief and intaglio inks are formulated for maximum adhesion and working stability on the plate or stone , qualities that make them exceptionally difficult to remove from tools, slabs, and work surfaces at the end of a printing session. Traditional printmaking solvents such as white spirit, turpentine, kerosene, and screen wash are effective, but they are flammable, high in VOCs, and produce fumes that make extended use in an enclosed studio a genuine health and safety concern. Many art schools and printmaking studios have moved toward solvent restrictions precisely because of these risks. Zest-it Printmakers Cleaner addresses the problem without compromising cleaning performance.

Zest-it Printmakers Cleaner lifts oil-based printing ink from metal etching plates, lithography stones, inking slabs, and palette surfaces efficiently. For flat surfaces, apply the cleaner directly, work with a scraper or cloth, and wipe away. For rollers , which require more careful treatment to avoid solvent absorption into the rubber or nitrile surface — brush the cleaner onto the roller, catch the excess in a tray below, and wipe clean immediately rather than allowing prolonged contact. The cleaner also removes bitumen grounds, wax-based stop-outs, and traditional grounds from plates, making it a versatile cleaning companion throughout the etching process from ground application to final plate cleaning before editioning. Scrim used for ink wiping can be cleaned in Printmakers Cleaner and then hung outdoors to air dry before the next session.

Like all Zest-it products, the Printmakers Cleaner is reusable. Leave it to stand after a cleaning session and the ink pigment will settle to the bottom, leaving a layer of clear usable solvent above. Pour off the clear fluid into a separate container for reuse and dispose of the ink-laden residue responsibly. The 500ml size is appropriate for a working printmaking studio with regular sessions. Its non-flammable, low-VOC character makes it an especially important product for educational printmaking environments where solvent safety is paramount and ventilation may be limited.