Linocut printmaking is a fun and versatile artform that you can easily make at home. This linocut how to guide will go over what linocut printmaking is, and you’ll learn how to create linocut prints.
What is linocut printmaking?
Linocut printmaking is a relief printmaking technique where you carve out a design from a sheet of linoleum to create a print. You might also hear linocut prints referred to as linoleum block prints or lino prints.
Linocut printmaking is a good for printmaking beginners because linoleum is easier to carve than other materials like foam or wood.
This linocut how to guide will focus on a single color design, but there are also linocut printmaking techniques like reduction printmaking to create more advanced designs utilizing multiple colors.
Linocut printmaking supplies
Here are the supplies you’ll need to create linocut prints.
- Linoleum block
- Lino cutting tools
- Block printing ink
- Printmaking brayer (ink roller)
- Inking plate (you can also use a glass sheet)
- Baren (or wooden spoon)
- Pencil and/or permanent marker
- Printmaking paper
- Tracing paper / carbon paper (optional)
Linoleum block
When selecting your linoleum block, think about how large you want your design to be. Of course, you can always cut a linoleum sheet if you want to create a smaller design.
For this design, I used Speedball Speedy-Carve which is a softer material that cuts very easily. It’s good for linocut beginners if you are newer to printmaking.
I also used a more traditional linoleum block mounted on wood to show you an example of that as well. The wood backing can help keep the design steady as you work and increase the longevity of the carved linoleum block.
Lino cutting tools
To actually carve out your design, you’ll also need a linoleum cutter. Each cutter typically comes with five or more blades so you can swap them out as needed for your design.
Block printing ink
When choosing an ink, look for water soluble block printing ink. This will give you good results and makes for easier cleanup because the ink washes away with soap and water. Think about what you want your design to look like when picking a color from the classic black to something brighter.
Brayer and inking plate
To apply your ink, you’ll also need a brayer and a surface to roll out the ink on like an inking plate. If you don’t have an inking plate or don’t want to buy one, you can also use a glass sheet or other surface to roll out the ink.
Baren or wooden spoon
To ensure that your design is evenly transferred to the paper, you’ll also need a baren or a wooden spoon. If you’re just starting out, a wooden spoon is something you might already have at home so a good tool to start with.
Printmaking paper
Another important part of your supplies is printmaking paper. You can get paper that is specifically made for printmaking like this. If you can’t find that or don’t want to purchase specific printmaking paper, just be sure to use a lightweight paper. Thick cardstock will make it more difficult to get your print to turn out well.
Linocut how to guide: 5 steps to create linocut prints
Now that you have your supplies, let’s go through the steps to create a linocut print.
1. Draw your design
The first step in the linocut printmaking process is to plan out your design. You can create your design first on tracing paper and transfer it over to the linoleum block, or you can draw the design right on the block itself.
I prefer to sketch a few ideas and then create my final design on the linoleum block itself. You can start off with pencil and then go over it with permanent marker before cutting it. The permanent marker will be distinct and clear for you to easily follow but won’t transfer to the paper.
Design ideas:
- Graphic patterns or lines
- Shapes
- Nature such as leaves, flowers, mountains, animals, etc.
- Letters or words
Things to keep in mind when creating your design
- Your design will print reverse on the page – especially important if you are using words or letters!
- What you carve will be the negative space of the design
2. Carve the linoleum block
Once you’ve finalized your design, the next step in the linocut printing process is to carve your linoleum block. Using your lino cutter, cut out the negative space of your design. The uncarved areas that are left raised will be what prints on to the paper.
Each lino cutter comes with different blades. I recommend using the wider “U” shaped blade when cutting thicker lines or creating larger amounts of white space, where as the “V” shaped blade is better for smaller or more precise cutting.
Linoleum carves very easily so be sure to take your time. When carving the linoleum block, you won’t want to go all the way through the block. If you accidentally cut out a piece you want, you can super glue it back on to the block, but it’s much easier to go back and take out more than to adjust if you’ve carved too much.
Safety tip: Remember to always carve away from yourself to avoid accidentally slipping and cutting yourself.
3. Apply the ink
The next step to create your linocut print is to apply the ink to your linoleum block. Start with putting some ink (about the size of your fingertip) on to the inking plate. Then, take the brayer and roll out the ink. To get the ink evenly coated on the roller, start by rolling up and down, then turn the inking plate 90 degrees and repeating the step.
When you roll out the ink, it will start to make a crackling noise. Roll it until the ink looks like velvet.
Once the ink is on your brayer, roll it on to the linoleum block. Try to apply the ink as evenly as possible. If you get any ink in the areas you want to be negative space, you can always go in with a Q-tip or toothpick and clean up the block as necessary.
4. Transfer the linocut design to paper as a test print
Now that you have the ink on your block, it’s time to transfer the design to the paper and test out your print. Unlike a traditional stamp, you will put the paper on top of the block. Do your best to have the design centered on the page, but you can always trim the edges to even out the border afterwards.
Using the baren or wooden spoon, move in circular motions to apply pressure and evenly apply the ink to the paper.
Carefully peel off the paper and see how your design came out. You can evaluate if you want to cut out anymore of the block and alter your design.
This test print will also help you see if you’ve applied too much or too little ink. If your block doesn’t have enough ink, you will see white throughout. If your block has too much ink, the edges will be smudged or you will see ink seeping into the negative spaces of the design.
5. Create your final print
After your test print, it’s time to create the final print (or prints). Repeat the process in the last step of applying the paper on to the inked block and use the baren / wooden spoon to evenly apply the ink to the page.
Again, you’ll carefully peel off the paper to reveal your print!
Feel free to play around with different techniques and different colored ink to see what you like the best.
Now you’ve got linocut prints…
After finishing with the linocut printmaking process, you’ll want to clean up. Be sure to clean the ink off the linoleum block when you’re done so the ink doesn’t dry and harden on it. Especially with intricate designs, running water over it might loosen pieces so it’s often best to use soap and water to gently wipe away the ink on the plate.
Linocut print example with traditional linoleum
In addition to the design I carved in the speedy carve block, I also created a design using a more traditional linoleum block mounted on wood.
You follow the same steps as above to create a print using this type of material. A few differences you may notice:
- You will need to apply more pressure when carving the design
- You will also need to apply more pressure to get a good result when transferring the ink to the page
What can you do with lino prints?
Linocut prints make for great DIY artwork or gifts. They are also great for making greeting cards especially if you need multiple because you can easily replicate the design.
Comment below if you try out linocut printing and let me know how it turned out!