Relief and Other Printing

Relief printing is a family of printing methods where a printing block, plate or matrix- which has had ink applied to its non-recessed surface is brought into contact with paper (e.g. rubber stamps).

Some other printing processes include relief printing, plastic prints, monoprints, and collagraphs. 

Learn more about relief and other printing processes by using the links below. 

• Relief Painting
• Collagraphs
• Plastic Prints

Relief Printing 

Woodcuts, linoleum cuts, and acrylic plates for plaster relief are examples of relief printing techniques. Relief inks can be either oil-based or water-based. 

Hazards 

• Skin irritation and/or allergies may be caused by some types of woods used for woodcuts, especially tropical hardwoods. 
• Cut injuries may be caused by handling sharp tools.  
• Carpal tunnel syndrome may result from wood carving and cutting tools if there are non-ergonomic postures.   
• Accidental ingestion of pigments may result from eating, drinking or smoking while printing, which are not allowed in the studios. 
• Cleaning up oil-based inks, as well as stopouts and resists (for linoleum etching) utilize hazardous solvents. 

Precautions 

• Know the materials you plan to work with.  Always review the SDSs for all chemicals used in a process so that you are fully aware of the hazards and how to mitigate those hazards, and use the least toxic and least hazardous materials possible.  
• Try to avoid using solvents. Water-based inks are always preferable to oil-based and solvent-based inks. 
• Always wear appropriate gloves, chemical splash goggles and protective apron or lab coat or smock when handling caustic soda (sometimes used for etching linoleum). 
• Cut resistant gloves are recommended when handling sharp tools. Please consult the Cut and Puncture Prevention SOP [INSERT LINK] and the Cut Safety Video [INSERT LINK] for more information. You can also visit the glove selection guide: [INSERT LINK]
• Consider using tools with wide handles, avoiding tight grips, and taking regular rest breaks with hand flexing exercises to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome or other ergonomic symptoms. Linoleum is softer and easier to cut, which may help to reduce musculoskeletal injury.

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Collagraphs

Collagraphy is a printmaking process in which materials are applied to a rigid substrate to form a collage.    

Hazards 

• Rubber cement is one common adhesive which is extremely flammable. Chronic inhalation of the solvents from rubber cement, as their thinners contain n-hexane, may cause damage to the peripheral nervous system (i.e. extremities).  
• Skin and eye irritation and allergies may be triggered by epoxy glues. 
• Using spraying fixatives on the back of collagraph plates involves a risk of inhaling the solvent-containing mist. 
• Sanding collagraph plates treated with acrylic modeling compounds poses a risk of inhaling irritating dust. 

Precautions 

• Know the materials you plan to work with.  Always review the SDSs for all chemicals used in a process so that you are fully aware of the hazards and how to mitigate those hazards, and use the least toxic and least hazardous materials possible.  
• Use the least toxic materials possible, such as water-based glues and mediums (e.g. acrylic medium), and rubber cements made with the solvent heptane (which is less toxic than n-hexane). 
• Wear appropriate gloves when using epoxy glues. Please contact EHS and consult the Glove Selection Guide for suggestions: [INSERT LINK]
• Rubber cement produces toxic vapors and should only be used either in well ventilated areas or while using a respirator with organic vapor cartridges. If you think you may need respirator protection, please contact EHS (@email) for an evaluation of your process and assistance with selection and fit-testing of appropriate respiratory protection. 

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Plastic Prints

Plastic prints may involve using a variety of resins or plastic materials. 

Hazards 

• The inhalation of plastic resin vapors (e.g. epoxy resins) or decomposition fumes (from drilling, sawing, machining, etc.) is hazardous and may result in negative health effects.  

Precautions 

• Know the materials you plan to work with.  Always review the SDSs for all chemicals used in a process so that you are fully aware of the hazards and how to mitigate those hazards, and use the least toxic and least hazardous materials possible.  
• Use the least toxic material available whenever possible. 
• Resin emits hazardous vapors and should only be handled either in well ventilated areas or while using a respirator with organic vapor cartridges. If you think you may need respirator protection, please contact EHS (@email) for an evaluation of your process and assistance with selection and fit-testing of appropriate respiratory protection.

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