Speedball Linoleum Cutter Assortment #1

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Although they were initially developed for intaglio printing, Akua Intaglio Inks are a great option for relief prints, as well. Many famous artists experimented with lino cutting techniques including MC Escher, Matisse and Picasso. Speedball is one of the most trusted names in linocut tools, and this cheap and cheerful linoleum cutter set is just what you need to get started. 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.

Japanese relief vinyl isn’t very popular in the West, but it’s a great alternative to other softcut materials.

When creating a white square pay attention to the outside edge, for that is what’s going to make your square when the surround has been cut away.

A little practice and you'll be able to stop and restart the line you're cutting without it being noticeable. Ensure any open windows or vents don’t encourage the flow of dust or airborne particles onto your workspace. Combine traditional block printing with plastics that would normally be single-use to create a unique new craft tool! If you'd like to see how your print is coming along without inking the block, take a pencil rubbing using some thin paper or tracing paper.

This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission when you purchase. Note that all links below include a 10% discount on your first purchase, which is a great way to ease the pain on your wallet! If you look at the lines in Fig A you will see the start and end points of the line are fairly regular, and there is a tendency to create a stroke with a graded width, narrowing at the ends of the line. Degreasing: Cleanse the lino block with white spirit or warm soapy water to ensure consistent ink application.

Taking the time to ensure your design is accurately and clearly transferred can save you time and frustration in the carving stage.Clean your linocut with soapy water; this is important, so it remains unblemished should you wish to use it again. Ensure you’re peeling at a consistent rate, and hold the lino block down to avoid any unwanted shifts.

While some linocut techniques, such as single-colour prints, are straightforward, others involve more intricate processes. Keep a damp cloth nearby to quickly clean your hands if they get ink on them, ensuring you don’t accidentally smudge your work. These can include reduction printing for multi-coloured outputs or registration techniques for using multiple blocks. Get to grips with the simple lino cutting technique in no time, then you can start putting your own creative twist on every project! To create a reduction print, you only use one sheet of lino and cut away sections each time you print a new layer.Sarah has previously written features for The Guardian, In The Moment Magazine, Project Calm Magazine, countryfile. I’ve just done my first 2 lino cuts and seem to know instinctively how to do it, which was an enormous surprise to myself. 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. It would have been better if it had a better picture of what kind of marks each nib made, but otherwise great for someone just starting out! Try this DIY screen printing tea towels project or have a go at this screen printing tutorial and make a bee cushion.