LINOCUT
What is Linocut?
Linocut is a form of relief printmaking where marks are incised into a lino block. The block is thin (usually about 3mm) and flexible. Some printmakers choose to mount the lino on a block of wood or MDF either just to make the lino less flexible, or in order to make it ‘type-high’ to print on a letterpress, or else to fit it into some kind of registration system to allow the printing of multiple colours, or editioning.
Linocut is one of my favourite types of printmaking. Lino gets a lot of flack from many quarters because to some relief printmakers, it “isn’t wood”, isn’t a natural material and the medium is somehow tainted. Many people remember chipping away at hard bits of linoleum at school, and think it’s a primitive childs medium which isn’t any good for serious art. I don’t agree with either of these points of view. In fact, I think lino is one of the most accessible and enjoyable mediums to print with.
So, What is Lino?
Traditional linoleum is made from ground up cork, pine rosin, wood dust, minerals and linseed oil, backed with burlap, which is a kind of open weave sack-cloth.
Lino Alternatives
SoftCut – comes in various thicknesses and colours. The branded stuff is usually beige, and a bit too floppy for my tastes, but I’ve seen similar stuff from Japan in various colours. Speedball do a pink version which is pretty good.
Easy Carve – very similar to soft cut – usually dark grey and a bit shiny – works well for me.
Japanese Vinyl – harder and shiny and usually blue or green – specially formulated for printmaking.
Gasket rubber – have a hunt on EBay – there are loads of rubber suppliers who will often send out samples for a few pence. Try rubber which is used to make industrial rubber seals – it’s pretty smooth and very cheap.
Marmoleum – this is a brand name of linoleum – you can usually get free samples if you want to try it out. Otherwise it’s available on the roll from flooring suppliers.
Linocut - the basics
Duis egestas aliquet aliquet. Maecenas erat eros, fringilla et leo eget, viverra pretium nulla. Quisque sed augue tincidunt, posuere dui tempor, dapibus nisi. Donec vel lectus sapien.
Transfer Your Image
Duis egestas aliquet aliquet. Maecenas erat eros, fringilla et leo eget, viverra pretium nulla. Quisque sed augue tincidunt, posuere dui tempor, dapibus nisi. Donec vel lectus sapien.
1hr. 10min.
Cut Your Image
Duis egestas aliquet aliquet. Maecenas erat eros, fringilla et leo eget, viverra pretium nulla. Quisque sed augue tincidunt, posuere dui tempor, dapibus nisi. Donec vel lectus sapien.
1hr. 10min.
Register Your Image
Duis egestas aliquet aliquet. Maecenas erat eros, fringilla et leo eget, viverra pretium nulla. Quisque sed augue tincidunt, posuere dui tempor, dapibus nisi. Donec vel lectus sapien.
1hr. 10min.
Printing by Hand
Duis egestas aliquet aliquet. Maecenas erat eros, fringilla et leo eget, viverra pretium nulla. Quisque sed augue tincidunt, posuere dui tempor, dapibus nisi. Donec vel lectus sapien.
2hrs. 27min.
Printing with a Press
Duis egestas aliquet aliquet. Maecenas erat eros, fringilla et leo eget, viverra pretium nulla. Quisque sed augue tincidunt, posuere dui tempor, dapibus nisi. Donec vel lectus sapien.
2hrs 1min.
Extra Credit...
If you want to see some more practical videos explaining linocut techniques, check out Graham Stephens at Diode Press: https://www.diodepress.com
and Colin Blanchard: http://www.colinblanchard.com/
If you just want to see some linocut print-porn, check these out:
Gary Ratushniak is an awesome printmaker –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZsO1ZDax1o
Tian Gan makes a sweet print –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1o4-z_0sa9U
Arthur J Penn at his kitchen table –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mR2ymAHvzBY
Michael Halbert’s 2nd ever linocut (amazing!) –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWpqFs9L9Hc
Tools
Pretty much any tool you can use on wood is also suitable for lino, even powertools. Here’s a list of the most common tools for lino:
V-Gouges
U-Gouges
Scalpel/Craft Knife
Rollers/Brayers
Baren
Wooden/Metal Spoon or any kid of hard rubbing thingy that’s smooth enough not to break apart paper fibres.
Dremel or similar mini powertool.
Free Courses
Duis egestas aliquet aliquet. Maecenas erat eros, fringilla et leo eget, viverra pretium nulla. Quisque sed augue tincidunt, posuere dui tempor.
Premium Courses
Duis egestas aliquet aliquet. Maecenas erat eros, fringilla et leo eget, viverra pretium nulla. Quisque sed augue tincidunt, posuere dui tempor.
Ready to get started?
Get in touch, or create an account