How to Lino Print for Beginners

This page is for everyone who is just starting out with linocut, maybe you’re just lino print curious. I’ve been writing about the process of making linocuts for over a decade and I’m going to try to point you in the right direction if you’re a beginner to lino printing.

What is Linocut?

First, let’s make sure we’re talking about the same thing. A linocut, or lino print, is a type of block printing. At its most basic, you carve a design into a linoleum block, roll block printing ink on it and print it on paper.

Lino Print Supplies You’ll Need

One of the reasons I got into linoleum block printing is that you don’t need that many supplies to get started. You really can make an easy lino print at home with a small number of materials.

You’re going to want:

• Linoleum - I like traditional battleship gray lino. (More details about choosing and buying linoleum.)

• Carving Tool(s) - I use a variety of lino tools from cheap to expensive. (A review of common relief caving tools I use.)

• Block Printing Ink - Cranfield Caligo Safe Wash Relief Ink, which is oil-based, is what I use most often. If you’ve never printed before, you might want a water-based ink. (A review of lots of block printing inks that I wrote.)

• Soft Rubber Brayer / Roller - I have numerous ranging from narrow to 12 inches wide.

• A Big Spoon (or Baren) - though I print on a press, most beginners use the back of a spoon or a baren to print.

• Paper - if you’re printing by hand instead of a press you might find this post about printmaking paper helpful.

How to Make a Linocut

The process of making a lino print includes coming up with a design, carving it in a lino block and printing it with ink (not paint) on paper. These are posts that I’ve written over the years to break down the process of making a linocut. Start with the first resource below if you want an overview of the process.

Making a Lino Print Step by Step

• Start Here :) This is a detailed description of the process that I use for making a single color lino print from design all the way through printing.

  Simple Linocut Patterns

• A sampling of some basic black and white lino patterns.

  Options for Making Color Linocut Prints

• Once you’ve learned how to make a simple lino print you might be interested in making color prints. Here are some printmaking techniques you can use.

  Making a Rubber Stamp

• If you prefer to start off using a soft rubber block instead of traditional lino, here’s a stamp making tutorial I wrote.

Short Instagram Videos Demonstrating the Linocut Process

• Lino cutting with a v-gouge tool.

• Inking up a linoleum block with a brayer.

• Using super glue to fix a linocutting mistake.

Lino Printing Problems? Try These Tips

• If you’re having printing problems here are three tips to help you get the lino print results you’re looking for.

• Getting ink printed where you don’t want? Stray marks? Try this linocut troubleshooting blog post I wrote a few years ago.

• Carved out something small by accident? Try fixing the mistake with super glue like I outline on this page (scroll to the bottom of the page).

If You Want More Linocut Help

• Feel free to contact me with a question!

• Enroll in my online lino print course.

Have fun linocutting, Rich

Last updated: September 12, 2023