Inkrimping

Inkrimping is a term used in printmaking and mixed-media art to describe a method of imprinting ink into a surface so that it becomes partially embedded. The technique yields a low-relief, velvety appearance and a tactile texture that can vary from faint shimmer to pronounced ridges depending on pressure and substrate. The name is a portmanteau of ink and imprint.

Typically, an inkrimping pass begins with preparing a matrix (such as linoleum, woodcut, etching plate, or a textured relief plate) and choosing an ink with sufficient body or slow drying properties. The matrix is inked with a roller and then excess ink is blotted to leave a defined impression. The paper or fabric is placed on top, and pressure is applied with a press, platen, or hand burnisher. The pressure drives pigment into contact with and slightly into the fiber or grain of the support, creating an embedded mark rather than a flat layer of ink. In some variations, a second, lighter impression is made to produce a halo or to tune the depth.

Substrates range from wood-pulp papers to cotton rag and light textiles. Inkrimping can be done with oil or water-based inks; oil-based often yield deeper embedding, while water-based inks may require a fixative. Some artists combine inkrimping with embossing, aquatint-like shading, or relief printing for multi-layered textures. Re-inking and re-impression allow for composite textures.

Because it is less standardized than traditional relief or intaglio methods, inkrimping is associated with experimental studios and contemporary artists seeking tactile effects. There are no widely recognized schools dedicated to it, but it appears in artist books, zines, and gallery editions. The technique emphasizes texture as a component of image making and touch.