Clean-Up

Cleaning up after an art project is everyone's least favorite chore, but it must be done. A lot of mess can be prevented if you have the following on hand:

• Trash container
• Newspaper over surfaces
• Paper towel
• Baby wipes

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After Carving

Clean-up after carving usually requires only a little sweeping or vacuuming. You may need to clean excess toner from the side of your hand, and this is easily done using soap and warm water. Occasionally a soft nail brush is needed.

After Stamping (with stamp pads)

Use lukewarm water and mild soap to clean ink from your stamp. Do not rub the surface of the stamp and do not use hot water -- excess rubbing and heat will cause the material to crumble (except for rubber gasket, which is pretty indestructible!). Allow the stamp to air dry.

Use warm water, mild soap, and a soft nail brush to clean ink from your hands.

After Block Printing

Water-based block printing ink can be rinsed from all surfaces using warm water. No soap is necessary. I hold my glass plate under running water and roll the brayer over it. The friction cleans both the brayer and the glass plate. Warm water works even if you have allowed the ink to dry. Use only lukewarm water on the stamp to remove ink. Allow the stamp to air dry, and dry the glass and the brayer with paper towel.

Oil-based block printing ink can be cleaned up with vegetable oil (this eliminates the need for toxic and smelly solvents) and paper towel. Do not allow the ink to dry on the brayer. If it dries on the glass, use a razor blade to scrape the dried ink into the trash, then clean the glass with vegetable oil. Dispose of all used paper towel in the trash.