Linocut (or linoleum printing) is such a wonderful way to create postcards, art prints, or even wall decorations with just a few simple tools. You can let your imagination run free, dive into a creative flow, and spread joy by gifting your handmade prints.
In linocut, you carve your “template” into a lino plate, which you can then print onto paper, cardboard, or even other materials. The big advantage? Linocut doesn’t require much effort, the materials are affordable, and your carved plate will last for years. That means you can keep reprinting your designs, even long after you first made them.
What you’ll need:
- Linoleum plate
- Carving tools (large and small gouges, veiner, V-gouge, contour knife)
- Rubber roller
- Inking plate
- Printing ink
- Paper
We recommend starting out with a starter kit – you’ll find these in most well-stocked craft stores. It has all the essentials in one box. Ours is from Brause, and it’s been serving us really well so far.
What materials do I need for linocut?
The basics are simple: a lino plate, some carving tools, and ink.
Lino plates come in different levels of hardness. For beginners, softer plates are usually easier to work with. We like to use the brown artist’s linoleum – it has a jute fabric backing and cuts beautifully once warmed up a little. You can place it on a radiator for a few minutes or rest a pot filled with warm water on top. This softens the plate and makes carving so much smoother.
Your carving tools allow you to cut different lines and shapes:
- The V-gouge is perfect for fine lines.
- The veiner makes neat, even lines and dots.
- The small gouge works for broader lines and small surfaces.
- The large gouge clears large areas quickly.
- The contour knife helps trim the edges and pre-cut sharp corners.
For ink, we suggest starting with Aqua lino printing ink. It’s water-based, super easy to clean off your tools, and dries fairly quickly. Printing ink and oil-based inks, on the other hand, require turpentine to clean and dry much more slowly.
How do I transfer my design onto the lino plate?
Before you start carving, you’ll want to plan your design and get it onto the plate. Linocut has its own charm – the marks and textures from carving are part of the beauty, so don’t feel pressured to sketch everything perfectly.
Some shapes and curves that are easy to draw can be tricky to carve, so keep things simple at first. You can sketch lightly with pencil or marker directly onto the plate, or trace your design using parchment/tracing paper.
Important: Always remember, your design has to be mirrored, especially if you’re working with text.
Negative cut vs. positive cut – what’s the difference?
When carving, you have two main options:
- Negative cut: you carve the lines and shapes of your design. Those areas remain white, while the rest prints in black.
- Positive cut: you carve away the background, leaving your design standing out. Your design prints in black, and the rest stays white.
Negative Cut
Positive Cut
Safety tip: Always carve away from your hands and body – the blades are sharp, and accidents happen fast. Hold the plate steady with one hand, and carve with the other. Working directly on a table (not a tablecloth) also prevents slipping.
How does the printing process work?
Start by placing some newspaper underneath – it keeps things neat.
Put 2–3 cm of ink onto your inking plate. Use your roller to spread the ink evenly (without pressure), then roll it onto your lino plate until the surface is fully covered.
Place your paper sheet (larger than your design) on the table, then gently set your inked lino plate face-down onto it. Press firmly – you can use the back of your hand, a pencil, or even an iron to transfer the print. To check, carefully peel up one side of the paper: if everything looks good, lift it off completely and let it dry.
If you want to make more prints, just re-ink your plate and repeat.
When you’re done, wash your plate and roller thoroughly with water and dry them well to prevent rust.
Colors and variations in linocut
You’re not limited to black ink or a single color – experiment! That’s where it gets really fun.
Try these ideas:
- Roll your background paper with one color, then print your design on top with another.
- Ink your roller with multiple colors at once for a blended, gradient look.
- Print your design in one color, then print it again (slightly offset) in another color.
- Layer different motifs side by side or overlapping in various colors.
You can even print onto textiles using fabric inks (just remember: fabric inks dry fast, aren’t water-soluble, and should be cleaned off immediately after printing).
Do you love DIY projects as much as we do? Leave a comment below. 🙂
