Linocut Printing: Where to Start

Before we get started, I want to give the disclaimer that there are many diverse ways of creating linocut prints. There’s varying tools and methods that you can use for different parts in the printmaking process, but the suggestions below are just what I’ve found to ✧˖° get the job done 🤠🪩🌸💪✧˖°

 

Supplies

-Linoleum Block: There's a lots of different kinds on the market, such as:
Soft (rubber-like) blocks
Unmounted linoleum blocks
Mounted linoleum blocks

(I always use soft blocks or unmounted linoleum) ;)

-Carving tools: Check out this TikTok I made detailing which ones I like to use!

-Tracing paper

-Pencil

-Bone folder

-Ink roller

-Water-soluble block printing ink: I use Speedball or Blick's house brand

-Printmaking paper

-Barren (optional-- your hands work too!)

-Inking plate: a glass cutting board works great

Transferring Your Image to the Block

Check out this video I made for a visual example of the following steps!

-Draw or trace your design with pencil onto tracing paper.

-Flip the paper onto the block so that the pencil side is in contact with the linoleum. Add a small strip of tape for stability if it’s a larger design. 

-Use a bone scraper to scrape across the back of the paper. The pressure will transfer your pencil drawing onto the lino block, leaving you with a mirrored image of your original drawing. 

-This is optional, but I always like to use a sharpie to go over the pencil lines on the lino block to create a better contrast before I start carving.

Carving Your Design

-Using the smallest v-shaped tool, carve the outline of your design.

-Remember everything you carve away will not pick up ink when printing. This is your negative space! The parts of the block that remain will pick up the ink– that’s your positive space. 

-To carve out bigger swaths of the linoleum, use a large square-shaped or flat u-shaped tool.

-To carve curves, keep your carving tool still and slowly rotate the block with your opposite hand.

Printing Your Design 

-Squeeze a dollop of ink onto your inking plate (less is more!)

-Speedball ink retardant can help prevent the ink from drying out as quickly while you work

-Using quick back and forth motions, roll out a small bit of ink. Picking up the roller in between each stroke will ensure that the roller gets evenly coated.

-Pace your block on a firm and steady surface. Using the roller, apply 2 or 3 thin coats of ink evenly to the block. Roll out tiny amounts of ink on your inking plate as needed.

-Grab the paper you are going to print on and line it up visually with the lino block. There are tools you can make or buy to make sure that the paper is aligned perfectly with the block every time, but eyeballing it totally works too (and it’s my preferred method).

-Very carefully lower the paper onto the block. Once your paper makes contact with the ink, there’s no changing course– adjusting the paper or block will cause the print to smudge. It happens though, and practice makes perfect(ish)!

-There’s a few ways to press a print. I used to use a wooden spoon with a flat edge to apply pressure to the paper, your clean and dry hands will do just fine, or you can use a barren. Of course there’s the option of using a proper press, but that’s bulky and expensive. Pressing prints by hand is what I’ve done since the beginning and it’s what I’m doing for the purposes of this blog post!

-Things to keep in mind when pressing your prints: pressing too hard or with uneven pressure can sometimes cause blocks to shift or ink to bleed into fine lines. If you applied the ink too thick, this can cause the block to slip, resulting in muddy lines. It will be frustrating at first because you’ll use too much ink, not enough ink, you’ll press too hard or accidentally smudge something. But the good news is that the more you do it, the better you’ll be! I hate to report that this really is a trial-and-error sort of situation; and as much as I wish that I could give you a cool tip that would ensure perfection every time, I can’t!! The process is just as much of the art as the finished work. AI could never! 

-After applying firm and even pressure to the paper, lift an edge and slowly peel it away from the block. Voila, your print! Repeat to your heart’s content.

-Hang up or set aside your prints to dry.

Cleaning Up

 -If you worked with an unmounted block, set it on a tea towel and use a spray bottle with water to mist the leftover ink on the surface. The towel is important to make sure that the burlap on the back doesn’t get wet and potentially damage the block! Use a soft cloth or damp sponge to wipe away the ink. If it’s really stubborn or I’m using fabric ink, I’ll use a teeny bit of gentle dish soap like Mrs. Meyers. 

-Softcut blocks, Ink rollers, and the inking plate can be cleaned with warm water and, if needed, a bit of gentle dish soap.