A traditional tool that can be used for water based or oil based inks. This Japanese Sosaku Beta Baren is perfect for pressing down printing paper on a wood block relief and covers wider areas for more efficient woodblock printing.This tool is equipped with a large inner coil which gives more heavier pressure, and a flat surface which is good for printing on thicker paper and a much larger areas.Product Data:• Cover/Rubbing Surface & Handle - Bamboo Sheath• Inner Core - Paper Strings with Varnish• Backing Disk - ABS PlasticApproximate Dimension:• Diameter - 130mmTo use this Bamboo Baren, hold the handle properly by inserting your fingers (except for the thumb) through the handle, and the heel part of the hand is touching the back of the baren. In this way, you can put more pressure on the baren. Start rubbing from the corner of the paper to make sure the paper is perfectly aligned to the woodblock, and move the baren in a small, circular motion and gradually increasing motion until the whole area of the paper is pressed to the woodblock.To keep the baren from being stiff and lengthen your woodblock printing life, apply camellia oil to the rubbing surface. You can also add parchment or any similar paper to protect the back part of the printing paper from the rubbing or the baren.