Start with what is actually in the bottle

Before a single rag is unfolded, know your solvents. White spirit, turpentine, acetone, methylated spirits and blanket washes all behave differently. Check the safety data sheet and keep a simple folder of them for the whole team. Choose the mildest solvent that does the job. For many oil-based inks, vegetable oil or a dedicated citrus-based wash can remove the bulk before you reach for anything stronger. That single change reduces vapour, skin exposure and waste. Decant only what you need into a small, labelled squeeze bottle or lidded jar. Return the bulk container to the cabinet immediately. In a shared workshop, never decant into an unlabelled drinks bottle or jam jar; that is how accidents begin.

Ventilation: think low and local

Solvent vapours are often heavier than air and can settle at bench height, exactly where you breathe. Opening a window is a start, but it is rarely enough on a still day or in a basement room. Aim for cross-ventilation and local exhaust extraction at the cleaning station. An extractor hood or flexible arm placed close to the work — within 30 cm of the solvent tray — captures fumes before they reach your face. If you can smell solvent across the room, ventilation is losing. Keep solvent trays lidded when not in use. Work in short bursts. Consider a drying rack inside a ventilated cabinet or near extraction, not in the tea area. For screen printing, washout booths and dedicated washout sinks need their own extraction. Community rooms with no mechanical ventilation should limit solvent use to small amounts and short sessions, or move messy cleaning outdoors under cover. Never use solvents near a naked flame, kiln, heater or anything that sparks.

Protect skin, eyes and lungs

Nitrile gloves are a good default for many printmaking solvents; check compatibility because acetone breaks through some gloves quickly. Latex gloves are not suitable. Wear goggles when decanting, pouring or using sprays. An apron or old shirt protects clothing but also gives vapours something to cling to; change it regularly. Barrier creams can help with inks but should not replace gloves. Never wash hands in white spirit or turpentine. Use vegetable oil to soften ink, then a pH-balanced soap and warm water. If you use respiratory protection, fit-test it and choose the right cartridge for organic vapours. A dust mask will not help. Be especially careful if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, asthmatic or have sensitive skin; ask a colleague to take over solvent-heavy tasks or seek occupational health advice. Good housekeeping is part of PPE: no eating, drinking or storing food in the print room.

Store solvents and inks safely

Flammable liquids belong in a purpose-built flammable storage cabinet, ideally metal, with a self-closing door, raised sill and clear labelling. Keep only working quantities in the studio — for many small workshops, that means no more than a few litres at a time. Store bulk supplies elsewhere, in a locked, cool, well-ventilated place. Keep containers closed, upright and in their original labelled containers. Never store solvents above eye level or near inks, paper or rags. Inks should be stored separately, away from heat and direct sunlight. Date opened containers and rotate stock. Use a spill tray or bund under decanting areas. Put a spill kit nearby: absorbent granules, pads, nitrile gloves, goggles and a sealable waste bag. If there is a spill, ventilate the area, protect your skin and eyes, absorb from the outside in, and dispose of the waste as hazardous waste. Never hose a solvent spill down the drain.

Rags, residues and fire risk

This is the safety point that catches out even experienced printmakers. Rags soaked in linseed oil, oil-based inks, white spirit or turpentine can heat up as they dry and spontaneously combust. Do not leave them in a heap, in a plastic bin, or in a closed cupboard. Use a metal bin with a self-closing lid, empty it at the end of every session, and keep it away from combustible materials. If you can, use a laundry service that handles solvent-contaminated textiles, or follow local hazardous waste guidance. Never take oily rags home in a car boot. Solvent waste should go into a clearly labelled, closed container, not down the sink. Keep separate waste streams for solvent, ink sludge, and dry rags. A simple label and a lidded bin make the whole studio safer and calmer.

Keep the print room organised and welcoming

A safe workshop is an organised one. Zone the room: a clean area for drawing, carving and tea; a wet area for inks and solvents; a drying area with extraction; and a waste area. Label shelves clearly. Keep a laminated induction sheet by the door, with a short checklist: ventilation on, gloves on, lids closed, rags in the metal bin, spill kit stocked. In community settings, induction should be practical and repeated for new users, volunteers and visiting artists. Encourage a buddy system for solvent-heavy tasks and record who has been trained. Put up simple signs about flammable storage and no smoking or naked flames. Check extraction filters and cabinet seals regularly. Review your risk assessment when you change inks, solvents or processes. By making safe habits visible and easy, you protect health, reduce waste and create a print room where everyone can focus on the creative work.