What is Linocut Printmaking?

Very simply, linocut printmaking is a fancy way to say stamp. It is the process of carving a sheet of linoleum (or rubber) to create an image. The image must be carved in reverse since the printed version will be mirrored. After the carving is finished, ink is applied to the linoleum. The image can then be transferred to paper manually with a barren or through a printing press.

A Brief History of Linocut Printing

Printmaking itself is an ancient artform. Wax seals, wood stamps, and coin presses are early examples of a relief carved image used to replicate a design. Linoleum was invented in the mid 1800s as a flooring cover. However, artists soon discovered that it was a less expensive and easier to work with alternative to wood or metal relief printing. As a result, linoleum is now commonly used in block printing. Linocut gained popularity in the 1950s after world renowned artists Pablo Picasso and Henry Matisse started using it. Today, linocut is still the most accessible form of printmaking and is a very flexible medium for all skill levels.

How to Make a Linocut Print

Gouge

First, you’ll need tools. The carving is done with a gouge. These come in all shapes, sizes, and price ranges, but Speedball makes an entry level, multi-sized gouge that looks like this.

This little guy was my first carving tool.

Brayer

You’ll also need a brayer. That’s the roller used to apply ink to the finished block. These also come in all sizes and price ranges, but this one is perfectly fine for learning.

Baren

Next is the baren. The baren is used to transfer the inked image to paper. For small blocks, the back of a wooden spoon works perfectly fine. For larger images, a baren will help transfer the image evenly for a better quality print.

Linoleum Block

I like the easy carve style blocks. They’re made from a firm, but soft rubber. The traditional “battleship gray” linoleum is better suited for more detailed carvings and large scale designs.

Ink

I’m going to save you a lot of grief and tell you not to bother with water-based ink. Oil-based ink dries much slower, covers evenly, and cleans up with dish soap. Water-based ink dries quickly and will gunk up your block with partially dried bits, producing patchy prints.

Carving and Printing a Design

Image Transfer

There are a few ways to get an image onto the block. The easiest way is to draw directly on the block with a pencil or pen and wing it. Just remember the image will be printed in reverse, so if your design has lettering you’ll need to write it backwards. My brain doesn’t translate mirror-mode without help so I use tracing paper and carbon copy paper. I’ll write on the tracing paper, cut it out, flip it, and then put the carbon copy paper on the block and trace the backwards image onto the block.

If you have a very detailed illustration, you can print it to size with an inkjet or laser printer and heat transfer the image to the block using an iron on very low and a piece of fabric to sandwich in between the iron and the paper.

Carving

Hold the gouge in the palm of your hand and put your index finger on the base of the blade. Your palm will push while your index finger guides. Every cut will be a tiny push. The blade should always be pointed away from you (and your other hand.) Remember everything you remove will be negative space - the white of the paper - and everything that stays will be ink. Some printmakers use an ink wash to coat the block so it’s easier to see what they have carved away.

Inking

I have a sheet of plexiglass for this because it’s messy. Dab a blob of ink onto the surface of the plexiglass and use the brayer to roll it out like dough. It should not feel goopy or thick. When the ink is thin enough you will hear a sizzle as it rolls. It’s very important to evenly coat the roller of the brayer and that the ink is not too thick. Too much ink on the roller will fill in all of the negative space in your beautiful carving. If there is ink where it shouldn’t be in your block, just rinse it off with soap and water and start over. Make sure all the soap is gone or you’ll have a patch where the soap is.

Printing

You can print on any kind of paper, but the thicker cotton based paper with a deckled edge is the traditional method. It holds ink well and looks nice. Lay the paper over the inked design and lightly set it on the block. Use the baren (or your spoon) to gently rub the paper. The ink will be sticky and transfer to the paper. When you’re confident you’ve transferred every bit of the image, gently peel the paper off of the block, being very careful not to touch any wet ink. Ta da! That’s a linocut print. Let it dry somewhere away from pets for a couple days. I swear they know when there’s wet ink and will seek it out.

Printmaking is Fun

I sincerely hope you give linocut a try someday. There is something relaxing about chipping away little bits of rubber and creating something unique. With a low cost to get started and technique that accommodates all skill levels, there really isn’t a better medium for dabbling in printmaking. My illustration style is very graphic - bold black linework, and flat colors - so the jump to linocut printmaking just made sense. I hope printmaking brings you as much joy as it has for me.