Lino Printing

I create linocut prints myself and teach students lino printing in my printmaking workshops and on my printmaking art retreats. I will try to explain the steps involved in this simple printmaking technique to you here.

Lino Cutting / Carving Step

My linocut printmaking process starts with a small piece of lino which I cut to size. Different types of lino (or compatible material) are available. The lino that I use has a green smooth surface on the side that I am going to print from.

I then have a number of tools similar to the two shown here in various sizes. I used these tools to carve the lino surface so that the only remaining surface is what I want to print. This remaining surface will press the ink to the paper where I want it to.

For this image I have decided to break the image down into 3 different colours – grey, white and black. I have cut two different images one for grey areas and one for white. This plate is for the areas where I wish to print in grey. Here I am using a lot of solid colour for a quick and simple print but it is possible to create much more intricate prints with many more colours.

Lino Printing Inking Step

Once I have carved my plates I must make sure that I have registered them precisely so that they will line up correctly in the final image rather than have overlapping ink and smudges. I then spread some of my ink onto a perspex plate so that I can ink up my roller. Here I have inked up the roller in grey ink. I have then rolled the roller over the lino plate multiple times so that the grey remaining lino surface is now covered in grey ink ready for printing.

Once I have printed the grey I will usually let this dry a little before inking up my other plate in white ink and printing that one. For this print I would ink an uncarved plate in black at the beginning of the process to create the black background.

For most lino printing and when I teach, however, I would usually have a white background which is simply the paper and therefore does not require white ink. I also usually print using lighter colours first and darker last unlike this particular print.

Linocut Printing Step

Once I have inked my plate I place it face down on top of the paper that I am printing onto in my printing press. I then close the press to ensure a firm even pressure across the plate.

If there are multiple colours as in this print I will remove the first plate then carefully position the second inked plate ensuring that the image lines up perfectly before running it through the press too.

All being well I will end up with a perfect linocut print like Standing Proud here.

Lino Printing Workshops & Holidays

I run regular lino printing workshops. If you would like to learn lino printing with me I run group printmaking workshops locally as well as individual printmaking classes in my studio here in New Mills, Derbyshire. A run printmaking workshops in schools and can also travel to you for private printmaking workshops.

For those looking for something a little more special why not learn to print with me on one of my art retreats in Portugal or Tuscany, Italy.