24/08/2026
Burnt Plate Oil is used to lower the viscosity of oil-based relief, etching and lithography inks. It's important to note that viscosity and tack aren't the same thing, though they can both be dialled in with the addition of plate oils.
'Viscosity' is how thick or fluid the inks is. A thinner ink rolls out and spreads more easily.
'Tack' is how sticky the ink is, specifically how strongly it grabs onto and pulls away from a surface (your brayer, the block or the plate).
We stock two grades of the Gamblin Plate Oil, calibrated for different tack needs:
#000 – lower tack, goes well with Gamblin Relief Inks
#2 – higher tack, the primary oil binder in with Gamblin Etching Inks
Why the difference? Relief ink sits and holds it shape on the surface of the block, so it needs enough tack for crisp detail without spreading too far. Etching ink works the opposite way, it's worked into incised lines and wiped from the surface, so a higher-tack binder helps it stay put and release cleanly under the press.
Burnt Plate Oil is also known as burnt or boiled linseed oil. It is often used as a base when mixing your own inks by grinding with pigment to your ideal consistency.
Bonus tip, a small amount of plate oil can also be used on your plate edges when burnishing smooth, bevelled edges!
