Linocut printing is a fun and creative way to make art. It involves carving a design into a piece of linoleum, applying ink, and then pressing it onto paper or fabric to make a print. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get started with linocut printing, including selecting materials, carving techniques, inking, and printing methods. We’ll also include a simple project to help you practice your new skills.
Selecting Materials
1. Linoleum Blocks: Linoleum, often called "lino," is a material made from linseed oil and other natural ingredients. It's soft enough to carve but durable enough to hold fine details. For beginners, it's best to start with a softer linoleum block, as it's easier to carve. My go-to choice for beginners would be blocks from Speedball (not a sponsor btw but I'll be mentioning them a few times because I really like their products).
2. Carving Tools: You'll need a set of carving tools to cut into the linoleum. A basic set usually includes a few different blades, such as V-shaped and U-shaped gouges. These tools help you create lines and textures in your design. Make sure the tools are sharp for easier carving.
3. Ink: For linocut printing, you can use either water-based or oil-based inks. Water-based inks are easier to clean up (just use soap and water) and are great for beginners. Oil-based inks take longer to dry but offer richer colors. Personally, without a doubt, I prefer oil-based inks! (if you want to hear more about it, read this article) But I know a lot of artists who stick with water-based inks so you'll just have to try them out yourself.
4. Brayer (Roller): A brayer is a small roller used to spread ink evenly on the linoleum block. It's an essential tool for getting a smooth, even layer of ink on your design. When I first started with lino print, I bought some cheap brayer from amazon and I couldn't understand why all of my prints were turning out so bad... then I read some advice online that said that a good brayer is your best friend when it comes to lino print. And I agree with this advice 100%! I invested in a good roller and my prints immediately improved.
5. Paper or Fabric: Choose paper or fabric depending on what you want to print on. For beginners, smooth, thick paper works best because it shows details well and doesn't wrinkle easily.
6. Inking Plate or Surface: An inking plate is a flat surface where you roll out the ink before applying it to the linoleum block. You can use a piece of glass, acrylic, or even a smooth tile. I use the glass from a frame.
7. Baren or Spoon: A baren is a tool used to press the paper onto the inked linoleum block. If you don't have a baren, you can use the back of a wooden spoon. Or you can even place a board on top (like a firm cutting board) and walk over it with tiny steps, this is what I do when I print.
Carving Techniques
1. Preparing the lino block: I sand all of my lino blocks (except for the rubber ones) with sandpaper to ensure that the block has the smoothest surface possible without any texture. Then paint a thin layer of watercolor over it. This is necessary to create a contrast between the top layer and the lino to see which parts you have already carved.
2. Designing Your Image: Start by drawing your design on paper or photoshop. Remember, the image will be reversed when printed, so keep that in mind if you're including text. Once you're happy with your design, transfer it to the linoleum block using tracing paper or by drawing directly on the block with a pencil.
3. Carving Your Design: Use your carving tools to cut away the linoleum that you don't want to print. The areas you carve away will remain white (or the color of the paper) in the final print. Start with the larger areas first, then move on to the details. Always carve away from your body to avoid accidents. Take your time and practice safe carving.
4. Depth and Texture: The depth of your cuts will affect the print. Deeper cuts result in thicker lines, while shallow cuts create fine details. Experiment with different depths and textures to add interest to your design.
Tip: Test your carving on a scrap piece of linoleum before working on your final design. This will help you get a feel for the tools and the material.
Inking and Printing
1. Inking the Block: Squeeze a small amount of ink onto your inking plate. Use the brayer to roll out the ink until it's evenly distributed and makes a slight hissing sound. Then, roll the ink onto your linoleum block. Be sure to cover the entire surface evenly, but don't use too much ink, or it may fill in the details. If you're using oil-based ink, you can let the inked-up lino block dry for a few minuted and roll it with ink another time. I usually do this 3-4 times to ensure that there's plenty of ink on the block but be sure always to roll a small quantity of ink. Otherwise, it can smudge.
2. Preparing to Print: Place your paper or fabric on a clean, flat surface. Carefully lay the inked linoleum block on top of it, ink side down. Gently press down to make sure the block doesn't move.
3. Transferring the Image: Use a baren, spoon, or your whole body weight (the extra weight is especially necessary when printing on fabric or thicker papers) to rub the back of the paper evenly. Apply firm, even pressure to transfer the ink from the block to the paper. Pay special attention to the edges and corners.
4. Lifting the Print: Carefully lift the linoleum block away from the paper to reveal your print. Let the print dry completely. Water-based inks usually dry within an hour, while oil-based inks can take several days.
Tip: Clean your tools and block immediately after printing to prevent the ink from drying on them. For water-based inks, use soap and water. For some oil-based inks, you'll need a solvent like mineral spirits and some can be cleaned with water and soap (for example Speedball, that's one of the reasons why I love it so much). Check the package for instructions of how to clean.
Simple First Project Idea: Printing a Greeting Card
Materials Needed:
Linoleum blockCarving tools
Block printing ink
Brayer
Inking plate
Cardstock paper
Baren or spoon