This Leather Brayer (Roller) is 100mm diameter, 380mm length with an oak handle and a core. Special 'breaking in' instructions must be followed to prepare for use. 

*A storage box will need to be ordered for mail order.

For lithographers, a leather nap roller is an essential tool for achieving consistent ink coverage. Unlike rubber rollers, leather nap rollers have a natural texture that holds and distributes ink more effectively across a stone or plate. In short, lithography relies on the delicate interaction between ink and water, where printing areas attract oil-based ink, and non-printing areas repel it. The roll-up process, which involves applying ink to a prepared stone or plate, requires precision to ensure even coverage without overloading or under-inking the surface. This is where leather nap rollers excel.

Rubber rollers tend to apply ink more aggressively, which in this circumstance, can result in over-inking and loss of detail. In contrast, leather nap rollers provide a soft, controlled application of ink, ensuring that the fine details of a lithographic drawing remain crisp.

A leather nap roller must be well-maintained and they are a life time investment. For printmakers dedicated to lithography, investing in a high-quality leather nap roller is considered to be essential.