Akua
Akua: Professional Printmaking Inks with Modern Innovation
Akua are a leader in safe printmaking inks. They are known for their water-based, soy-derived formulations that provide exceptional working time, rich pigmentation, and easy cleanup.
Akua was created by New York City printmakers Susan Rostow and William Jung, who wanted to produce non-toxic inks for a safer studio environment. Akua inks are a versatile and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional oil-based inks.
The Akua Intaglio Ink range is ideal for etching, monotype, and collagraph printing, offering a buttery consistency with excellent plate adhesion. For artists working in relief printing, woodcut, and linocut, Akua Liquid Pigment provides deep, intense colour that remains open for extended working times, allowing for layering and blending.
Unlike conventional printmaking inks, Akua inks remain workable on the plate without drying until printed, eliminating the need for chemical modifiers. Their easy soap-and-water cleanup makes them a favourite among professional printmakers and students alike.
The Akua Pin Press is a unique, affordable and portable press designed for light pressure printing such as monotype, drypoint, and collagraph. It was awarded New Product of the Year at NAMTA in 2011.
With a commitment to sustainability and non-toxic printmaking, Akua continues to set the standard for modern and safe printmaking supplies.
‘We were really impressed with how easily both inks lifted off the slab, the roller, and the lino; just a small squirt of liquid soap and water, then a wipe with some absorbent paper and the slab was clean.
The benefits of using Akua really did start to become clear when we reflected that we would have had to go through essentially the same process if we were cleaning up traditional letterpress or printmaking ink, but with white spirit instead of soap and water. Cleaning up Akua Intaglio takes much less time and effort.’
- Duncan Montgomery, ‘Testing Akua Intaglio & Akua Liquid Pigment’, Jackson’s Art Blog