In this Instructable I will be going step-by-step through the process of printmaking using a linoleum block. I will tell you what tools you need, and for what purpose and I will go through the process of designing the print in which you will be carving, transferring the design onto the block, carving the block, proofing the block and finally, printing the block.

Linoleum block printing can seem very intimidating at first, but with a little guidance and the right tools, it's really a great new medium that all artists should give a try at least once.

Step 1: The Tools of the Trade

There are many tools that are needed to complete a linoleum block print from start to finish. Although the tools can get a bit pricey, most of the tools that are needed can be reused again and again. Ink and paper are the only two supplies that you will need to continue to replenish over time.

Materials Needed:

• Pen, marker, pencil, colored pencil
• Linoleum block
• Paper
• Transfer paper
• Bench hook
• Lino Handle/lino cutters
• Printer’s ink (Oil Based)
• Brayer (ink roller)
• Tape
• Scissors
• Electric blanket and towel
• Spoon (or a Baren)
• Glass surface (plate or baking pan will do)

All of these tools can be bought at your local craft supplier. I bought a block printing kit at Michael's Arts and Crafts store, and this included all of the basic printmaking materials that are needed. Speedball Art is a great supplier for block printing supplies. They are affordable and of good quality, especially for a beginner.

Step 2: Design and Draw

1. Get inspired! Begin by researching linoleum block prints online. Look at what lines and art styles you like while considering what design or drawing you want to carve for you print.
a. Remember: You will essentially be creating a large stamp. So your drawing should go on the block the opposite way that you want it to be printed. So either draw your design the opposite of how you would like it to print or, iff you do not want to draw your design in the opposite way, you can draw your sketch normally, and then scan it into a computer and use a photo editing program to reverse or reflect it over the vertical axis.
b. Also remember: You will be carving your design into a piece of linoleum, so if this is your first time carving a linoleum block, consider doing something relatively simple, rather than a complicated design with lots of fine lines.

2. Draw out your design. Be sure to make the drawing the same size as your linoleum block, so that you don’t have to mess with resizing the picture and printing it before you begin to transfer.
a. Remember to keep in mind that the lines that you carve away will be white, and the block that remains will be what prints color.

Step 3: Transferring Onto the Linoleum Block

After you have drawn a design that you are pleased with, you will need to transfer that design to the linoleum side of the block for carving (this is the thin lighter tan layer that is mounted onto the wood block. The thin layer is the part that you will be carving into). You will need to use transfer paper to do this. To be sure that the transfer paper does not slip, take the transfer paper and tape it to the linoleum block. Be sure to cover the entire block with transfer paper, if you don’t, some of your design will not transfer to the block. After you have taped down the transfer paper, position your design, facing the drawing side up. Be sure that you like how the design is placed and tape the design down as well.
Now you will need to trace over the lines you have drawn again to transfer the design onto the block, by pressing the pencil down firmly over the lines.
a. Be sure that you trace all of the lines onto the block. Using another color pencil can help you differentiate the traced lines from the lines you have yet to trace.

NOTE: If you don't have transfer paper, you can make your own, like I did. You simply take a regular piece of paper and a pencil, and shade a square onto the paper the size of your block. To make sure that it will work properly, you should shade in several different directions to make a solid block. This can be used just like the transfer paper.

After you have transferred the design onto the linoleum, you might need to go in with a pencil and fill in any small areas that you missed, or add in any details that you feel necessary. You might also want to trace over the pencil lines with a permanent marker, because as you begin carving the pencil lines can smudge and become difficult to see.

Once you have traced your image, design or drawing onto the block, you are ready to determine which parts of the block you want to carve. Consider which lines you want to be white, and what parts of the design will be printed in color.

Do you want the lines of your drawing to be in white, or printed in color?
Do you want the majority of your block to be white, or in color?

Consider how the block is going to print! This is how you decide what to carve, and how.

Step 4: Carving the Linoleum Block

Now it is time to start making your cuts! For beginners it is always important to know that you must be very careful with the tools, they are essentially knifes, and they are very sharp. With that in mind, remember:
a. Never cut towards your hand or towards you body! Always cut away from yourself! Keep your hands out of the path of the blade!
To secure the block so that it does not slip or slide, use a bench hook, it attaches to the end of your desk or work space and helps to keep your block nice and secure while carving.

To attach the blades to the lino handle, simply unscrew the top of the tool, there will be a slot to insert the blade into. After the blade is completely in, screw the top of the tool back, making sure it is very tight so that the blade doesn't slip or fall out while you are carving.

Start by using a V shaped tool, a smaller, fine tipped tool, like the one shown that I am using, to carve out fine lines and to outline of the design. You can use other blades that will come with the lino handle to cut different amounts of linoleum. To remove more of the linoleum for bigger lines or larger areas of block, use a U shaped tool, much like the V shaped tool, but the blade is a bit wider and flatter. Use a flat chisel to remove large amounts of linoleum.
a. Remember: Once you make a cut, it is not easy to fix, and sometimes it is impossible to fix. So choose the right tool, make sure the tools are sharp, and go slow! Block printing, particularly the carving, is a slow process that requires a lot of patience. Take your time!
b. If you are finding it difficult to carve the linoleum, you can warm it up for easier cutting. To do so, place a towel down and then place a heating pad on low to medium heat on the towel. Now place another towel on top of the pad. Place the linoleum block on top of the towel, linoleum side down to get it to warm. This will make it easier to cut, and it will help make more precise lines.

Step 5: Printing

Proofing: Proofing is important. It shows you how the block will print and what mistakes you need to fix before you start really printing. You can proof your print on paper grocery sacks, butcher’s paper, or really any scrap paper you have around so that you don’t waste good paper on proofs, you can use the paper for your good prints instead.

After you have proofed, you can go back and carve out the parts of the design that didn't print the way you might have liked. Try to proof your block every time that you make new cuts to make sure you are satisfied with the way that the block is printing.

To print you will need:

• Printer’s Ink (NOTE: Oil ink is permanent, so be sure to wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty and consider wearing rubber gloves to keep your hands clean.)
• Carved block
• Ink roller (brayer)
• Smooth surface (glass plate or glass baking pan)
• Paper
• Spoon (or Baren)

Be sure to first clean your block off so that there are no stray shavings because they will mess up your print.

Begin by squeezing ink onto your glass plate or pan, I simply used my bench hook as a flat surface for my ink. Do not use too much ink, if you need more you can add on later.
Use a paint knife or just a flat utensil like regular knife or even simply a Popsicle stick to spread the ink onto the surface of the plate.

Now, roll your brayer (roller) in the ink until it is evenly coated. Do not get too much or too little ink on the roller. When you have the right amount of ink on the roller, it should make a sound like ripping Velcro when you roll the brayer back and forth.
Now taker your roller and roll it back and forth across your linoleum block, making sure you cover the entire thing evenly.

Make sure your hands are clean!

Take your paper and position it in the block, now take your wooden spoon and rub, using the backside, curved side, to transfer the image. Go in even circles with the spoon and be sure to rub the entire area.

Lift the paper slowly and carefully, and lay it somewhere to dry for three to four days. Hanging prints is an easy way to dry them. You can do this by hanging a string and use clothespins to hang the prints.

After every print you need to re-ink the block.

Step 6: Conclusion

You have now successfully carved and printed a linoleum block! The example block that I created transformed a lot through the process of proofing, where I decided that I didn't like the amount of black ink that was printing. That's the great thing about block printing; you can keep transforming the block until you get the outcome you are satisfied with.

There are endless possibilities when it comes to linoleum block printing, so keep exploring, experimenting and printing!

1 Person Made This Project!

LisaP94 made it!

Recommendations

Hewkii & Macku Dolls-BIONICLE MNOG Inspired Plush Toys. by ArtistanistaHandmade in Sewing

13 1.4K

Stained Glass Sea Turtle Lamp by Jason9198 in Art

258 17K

Mountain Diorama Lamp With 3D Printed Climber Switch by Jules1050 in Art

302 50K

Crochet Knitting Clock ⏰ by Lina Maria in Knitting & Crochet

43 13K

Game Design: Student Design Challenge
Big and Small Contest
Make It Bridge

17 Comments

BillH252

Question 3 years ago on Introduction

1 Do I need to heat the ink when printing on cloth like a t-shirt after ink transfer to the cloth?
2. I read somewhere to put some sort of paper over the ink that has been transferred but I can't remember what kind of paper?
Tnx.

JadeK19

4 years ago

Thanks so much for your post, very clear and interesting. Normally how do you get your inspiration at the beginning for a print? this is the hardest part for me?

AMAbellaZING

7 years ago

I made it

marc.deloor.5

7 years ago on Step 6

Nice instructable! Take a look at the small printing press I made :-)

vanessa.burchfield

8 years ago on Step 4

I haven't done a linocut since college. I've got my image drawn, I know how to do the transfer. My question is. I know there is an easier way to transfer the drawing using a solvent of some sort that will break down the ink onto the lino. block? Is that Acetone?? i.e.Where you put your image face down and taped (scanned in and printed) onto the lino block and then cover it with acetone? or is that for another type of printmaking?

PaulR11

8 years ago on Step 3

Thankyou really good idea to transfer image, Louise

CarolinaHawaiiana

7 years ago on Step 6

Thank you for your clear instructions and definitions. I'm looking forward to learning how to block print!

space-animal

8 years ago on Introduction

Can you use regular inkjet printer ink for block printing?

MetaImage

10 years ago on Introduction

Great work Angela. Your instructions are very clear and you've developed the steps in a very easy-to-follow manner. You also have great photos. That elephant design and print turned out absolutely beautiful!!!!