What tool is used in printmaking to roll out ink onto a printing plate?

• A. Brayer
• B. Gouge
• C. Chisel
• D. Sponge

Answer: (A)

Rolling ink onto a printing plate is done with a brayer. The brayer is a small roller with a soft rubber surface that you load with ink and then roll across the plate to spread an even layer. This uniform coating is crucial for clean lines and consistent tone when the plate is pressed onto paper. Carving tools like gouges or chisels are used to remove material from the plate to create the design, not to apply ink. A sponge is mainly for cleaning or blotting and doesn’t provide the smooth, even coating a brayer delivers. Using a brayer helps control ink thickness and prevents blotchy prints.