Can I get unsized paper for oil based printmaking?
The paper sold in the Baren mall is specifically manufactured for use in traditional woodblock printmaking. This requires that the paper be sized in order to properly absorb the water based pigment and paste combination. Sizing is thus part of the process. It is important to note that the oil-based ink printmaking process is flexible in its paper requirements. Japanese papers are very suitable for oil-based inks and you will find that they are very ‘ink loving’, as much as the best waterleaf printmaking papers. They are also stronger than most Western papers and resist tearing even when dampened. Due to the pliability of these papers, excellent results are achieved with Japanese papers and oil based inks.
