Japanese Nori : Starch Paste (Sticking Paste) : 70g

Japanese Nori (glue) paste is used in the printing process to bind and disperse the pigment color and add to its brilliance. Traditionally rice paste is made up but tubes and tubs of nori are a convenient alternative. The color can be in the form of a liquid pigment such as Akua Liquid Pigment, artists watercolor or gouache, or Sumi ink so some experimentation with proportions is required. When printing larger areas of color a higher proportion of nori to color is required.

Thin down the paste a little until it has the consistancy of thick cream. This will prevent the color from becoming too sticky and damaging the paper. A few drops of nori and separately a few drops of color are dropped onto the block. They are mixed and spread by the maru bake and hanga bake inking brushes.

These tubes and tubs of nori have been used for decades by Japanese school children for glueing and art projects in the classroom.