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Print Day in May is a good excuse for me to revisit my love for printmaking and try using Akua ink. I found myself thinking about working with my hands and was drawn to the image of a snail, something I often see after the rain, and a reminder of the slow, deliberate nature of making things by hand. It’s a good kind of slow.

I sketched my design on tracing paper and transferred the graphite side onto a coconut milk Tetra Pak using a bone folder.

Using an awl, I scratched along the outline of the drawing back and forth to create incisions. The process was time-consuming. Realising I had added quite a lot of detail and that my hand was already aching, I decided to simplify the design at the top and bottom.

At this point, I soaked 300 gsm watercolour paper in a container of water. It’s important to use at least 300 gsm paper to prevent warping.

I reused a thick card to pick up a small amount of ink and applied it onto the tetra pak plate. Then, I used an onion mesh in a circular motion to push the ink into the lines.

Using tissue paper clipped between my fingers, I gently cleaned the excess ink from the surface.

I placed the wet watercolour paper on a towel to blot the excess moisture. The paper had been soaking for about 15 minutes.

Next, I carefully placed the inked Tetra Pak plate on top of the damp paper, then added another sheet of scrap paper on top. Using a wooden spoon, I rubbed the surface firmly to help transfer the print.

I’m happy with how the print turned out, though it could be improved. The lines are a bit fuzzy, and I would prefer them to be crisper; perhaps I need to blot the paper more thoroughly. Still, I enjoyed the process, and that’s what matters. The Akua ink stays open while I work, which makes intaglio printing more enjoyable. I hope you give this a try if you haven’t. Thanks for reading.