Evaluation: After your trial prints, evaluate the clarity, sharpness, and contrast. Make note of areas that require adjustment or more careful inking next time. Layering Prints: If you intend to layer different colours or designs, ensure the previous layer is completely dry before proceeding. While it's obvious what you cut away on the lino will not be printed and what's left behind is where the ink will be, it's surprisingly easy to forget when you're busy cutting the lino. Because we're used to pushing a pencil across a surface to get the marks we want, and pushing a lino-cutting blade feels very similar. Practice Makes Perfect: Like all artistic processes, the more you practice lino cutting, the better you’ll become. Over time, you’ll develop a steadier hand and a more intuitive understanding of how deep to cut.

Transfer your design onto a piece of lino that’s slightly larger than required. This provides a margin for error, especially if your print is slightly off-centre. If you can, get a few different tools: V-gouges, U-gouges, large and small. Use all the tools you have, each will make a different kind of mark. For example, a V-gouge will make a very fine line if you use just the tip. If you carve deeper it will make a wider line. Scale Test: Experiment with the size of your design. Sometimes a design might look great small but lose impact when scaled up, or vice versa. High-Quality Tools: Quality tools, such as professional-grade carving tools and brayers, can prevent many beginner issues. V cutters are the real workhorses for most linocut artists. They can be used for basic outlines, textures, detail cuts, and more. They also cut equally well on both sides of the blade, making them extremely versatile.

Filter Results: 

Once you’ve practiced the examples above it will be time to raise the bar and start trying something a bit more complicated. Try creating the silhouette of a face or the outline of a tree. Silhouettes are a stalwart feature of many linocut designs and you will do well to experiment with subjects like the ones I’ve just suggested. When cutting delicate features like the lips of the face or the whites of the eyes, use a narrow cutter and tilt the tool at a greater angle than that used for a line. Lino printing, like any artistic technique, has its set of challenges, particularly for newcomers. Adeptly navigating these pitfalls can be the difference between a print that sings and one that falls flat. Potential Pitfalls For Beginners:

Stabilise the Lino: Adhere the lino to a wooden or plastic board (like Foamex) to guarantee a uniform printing surface.

Sign up to our newsletter to receive exclusive special offers!

Test Printing: Before committing to your final paper or fabric, do a few test prints on scrap material. This allows you to understand how the ink transfers and if there are any areas of your lino that need further refinement. Choose a quality paper suitable for lino printing. This often means a paper that’s sturdy yet porous enough to absorb the ink. So when you’ve got the straight lines down like a true master, try the squares in Figs D & E. You probably will want to draw these out in pencil or pen first, but you should be able to create some very nice squares, but pay close attention to the corners, and try to achieve really nice crisp points to the angles where the straight lines meet. Always carve away from yourself when working on your lino print. This helps prevent accidents should the tool slip. It’s prudent to have a first aid kit nearby, just in case. Linoleum is made from natural materials: linseed oil, cork and resin. Over time it dries out and becomes hard and brittle. Fresh linoleum smells of linseed oil and is flexible. Make sure you buy fresh! I recommend Intaglio Printmaker.

Ink Consistency: The perfect ink for lino printing should have a certain tactile texture. It’s worth noting that printer’s ink is significantly denser than the likes of fountain pen ink. Difficulty Carving Fine Details: Struggling with intricate details? Always keep your carving tools sharp and consider softening the lino for easier carving.

Departments

Lino varies in type: while some are soft and malleable, others can be tougher and may require heating before carving. Join a Community: The lino printing community is a rich source of knowledge. Seek advice from seasoned artists, attend workshops, or participate in online groups. Cutting mat: Self-healing cutting mats are great if you don’t want to damage your work surface. They come in many sizes, so get the biggest one that fits in your workspace. There are different types of lino, some of which are easier to cut when first starting out. EssDee SoftCut sheets are best to begin with as the lino cutting tool will glide more freely. Traditional lino sheets are tougher and may need warming up prior to cutting.

Ink Mixing: If you’re looking to achieve a specific shade, mix your inks in advance and make sure you mix a sufficient quantity for your entire print run to ensure consistency. Consistent Pressure: When tracing, apply consistent pressure to make sure all parts of your design are transferred evenly. Missing or faint lines can lead to errors during carving. Clear Workspace: Ensure you have a clean and well-lit workspace. Good lighting will enable you to see faint lines more clearly, and a clutter-free area will reduce the chances of accidental smudges.The most basic form of lino cutting tool is a plastic handle which can hold any of the various shapes of blade available. If you get serious about lino printing, you may find wooden handles more comfortable to use for extended periods, and consider having multiple handles so you don't have to stop to swap blades. Maintain a Clean Workspace: Always clean up residual ink and debris post-printing. A clean work area ensures clearer prints. Which shape blades you prefer is definitely a matter of personal preference. Each is designed to give a different style of cut, from narrow and deep to broad and shallow. Introductory lino sets usually include a few blades, but if you're buying them separately remember that (with patience) you'll be able to cut away a large area with a narrow blade but not easily make thin cuts with a broad one. Keep in mind that they come with two handle types: mallet and palm. The mallet handles are longer and designed to be used with a mallet (obviously) on harder materials like wood. Now you’re prepared to carve the lino. Please note, art-grade lino is easier to work with compared to floor lino. Utilise a Stanley/utility knife or specific lino cutting tools to remove the ‘negative space’ or white areas of your design.