Baren: Some linocut printmaking kits above come with a cheap baren and you can get by with a spoon for a while, but upgrading to an inexpensive Japanese bamboo baren is the next best thing to a full-fledged press.

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. As with anything new, start with a simple design and get a feel for the technique first. Plan your design using layers of tracing paper, one for each color, before you start cutting. (Remember the paper color too.) When you've recut the lino, do a test print on a separate sheet of paper to ensure the cut is how you want it, before printing onto your actual prints. I have been occasionally trying out lino cutting for some time, off and on, and I find I am clumsy and make hard work of the actual carving. I find shallow finer lines easier as when I did deeper I mess up. I just want to be better at it. Won’t give up.Evaluation: After your trial prints, evaluate the clarity, sharpness, and contrast. Make note of areas that require adjustment or more careful inking next time. I’ve listed three of the best inks to add to your collection of linocut tools and materials below. Easy-to-find choice: Speedball Professional Relief Ink 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. 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.

Always Test: Before diving into the final print, make some test impressions. This can highlight issues with ink consistency, carving depth, or paper quality, allowing for adjustments. Consider using a dust sheet or cover to keep your work-in-progress protected when not actively printing.If you are new to linocutting and want to get ahead with the art form then it’s well worth doing some preliminary linocutting exercises for beginners so you get used to using the tools and practicing the different types of marks you can create with them. I must admit that you could, like me, just roll your sleeves up and make loads of mistakes. Whilst this method does eventually work I must say it’s a lot more frustrating when you ruin a really good design so I would encourage any beginners out there to practice some of the following exercises that I found in a small book called ‘The Art of Linocutting’, published in 1936 and written by Len A. Doust. Cheers Len! 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. The Zieler lino printing kit comes with printing tools, ink, lino and everything else you could need. As an added bonus, it also includes 10 printing stamps and a booklet to guide you through the printing process. The cutting tool in this set has a durable wooden handle, which some people will find more comfortable to use than one with a plastic grip.

HELP. Am doing a large lino cut 1mx1m using Hosho Hik Paper, Silk Cut Lino and Derivan water based inks.

Stabilise Your Work: Ensure that both your paper and lino are on a non-slip surface. Holding both securely in place will assist in an accurate transfer. The last brand of paper I’d like to mention is Stonehenge, which once again has a smooth surface without too much character.