ldakersLinocut printing ink demo Alette de Roos of Printmakers Club
Linocut is perhaps the most well-known graphic technique. By cutting parts out of a piece of linoleum, you create a printing plate with which you can print an image on paper or fabric.
It is a surprisingly versatile technique. And the great thing is: you can do it at home! With just a few simple materials you can create the most beautiful linocuts. You don’t need large, complicated printing presses or tricky materials.
Fancy giving it a try? In this hands-on DEMO, Alette de Roos of the Printmakers Club shows you how to make the most beautiful linocuts yourself – join in!
➽ STEP 1 – make your design
Think of a nice design for your linocut or choose an existing design. Start with something simple, such as an image with larger areas and clear lines. Small details are more challenging, especially if you don’t have much experience yet.
When designing, also think about the dimensions of your linoleum. Make sure your design fits exactly on it, so you don’t have to throw away large pieces of linoleum.
➽ STEP 2 – prepare your printing plate
Time to transfer your design onto the linoleum. You can do this with transfer paper or carbon paper. To avoid erasing or fading your design when gouging, you can trace it over with a Biro.
TIP! You can also draw directly on the linoleum if you feel more comfortable.
Remember that your image will be printed in mirror image! This is especially important when working with text.
TIP! I am working here on the harder and smoother Walton linoleum, which gives sharp lines. But you can also use the softer and structured Bulletin Board. That gives somewhat softer lines, and because it is so cutable, there is less chance of slipping with your gouge – it might be a better choice for kids and beginners!
➽ STEP 3 – gouging
Now the real work begins – with a gouge you cut away all the parts that should not be printed. Everything you leave on the linoleum will be coloured in later and will appear on your printout. And remember – what is gone, stays gone!
Always work carefully. Gouges are sharp, so keep both hands behind the gouge to avoid accidents – that way you always work away from your body.
Use a cutting board so that your lino stays firmly in place when you need to apply some force. The cutting board I use here has a docking edge on one end, which you place over the edge of your worktable. On the other end is an edge with a v-shaped indentation, in which you can place your lino if necessary, so that it cannot slip away. Not only does this make your work safer, it also protects your worktable from slipping!
➽ STEP 4 – applying the ink
So, now you’re ready to start printing! Grab your ink plate, palette knife or spatula and printing ink. Put a little ink on the plate and gently roll it out with the ink roller. Have you accidentally got too much ink? No problem! You can scoop off the excess ink with the palette knife and use it later.
Make sure there is an even layer of ink on your roller before you roll the lino in. Then roll the ink onto your lino cut until everything is nicely covered. In between, you can keep passing the ink roller over the ink plate to pick up more ink.
➽ STEP 5 – printing
The exciting moment – making your first print! Lay your lino with the ink side up and carefully place a sheet of paper on top. I am using special linoleum printing paper here, but you will be surprised how many papers are suitable for it!
Press the paper gently and rub firmly over the paper with a baren – a classic hand-writer – or the rounded side of a wooden spoon. Be careful not to move the paper and make sure you press all parts well.
Once everything is well pressed, carefully lift the paper to admire your first print!
When your prints are dry, you can frame them, make cards out of them or perhaps give them as gifts. And then…on to the next prints – as it is quite addictive!
➽ STEP 6 – print an edition
…Or you can make more prints of the same design and print an edition, in the same or a different colour. Then roll some ink on the lino again and repeat the process until you have enough prints.
TIP! If you make several prints, it is useful to hang them to dry, for example with a peg on a clothes rack. The water-based ink I use here usually dries within 15 minutes – but not waterproof.
➽ STEP 7 – cleaning up
To keep your tools in good condition, it is important to clean everything as soon as you are done.
Use the palette knife to scrape the remaining ink from the ink plate and roll your roller clean on an old piece of paper. Then wipe everything clean with polishing paper or a damp cloth. If necessary, you can use some water and soap – plain dish soap, green soap or kerosene soap. That’s another advantage of water-based ink – cleaning is a breeze. Afterwards, dry everything well – done!
TIP! And if you also clean your lino, you can use it again later as a printing plate, with or without changes.
About Alette & Printmakers Club
Alette de Roos is a graphic designer, teacher in graphic techniques – with a penchant for linocut and typesetting – printmaker and creative entrepreneur. After twenty years behind the computer, she wanted to work with her hands again, but discovered it was difficult to find the right tools & tips for graphics.
Thus, Printmakers Club was born – the place for printmaking enthusiasts who want to get started at home.
Alette believes that we are all creative and that creativity contributes to personal freedom and happiness. With her workshops and courses – both online and offline – she invites you to discover the world of graphic techniques!
More from Alette?
Then visit her website:
Website – Alette de Roos
More from the Printmakers Club?
Then visit the website, follow the club on Insta or sign up for the basic course:
Website – Printmakers Club
Instagram – Printmakers Club
Basic course – Printmakers Club
TIP: On the Printmakers Club website, you can download useful linocut tips for free – check it out….
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