How to Lino Cut & Print

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Lino Cut & Print

How to Lino Cut & Print

Ever wanted to try Lino cutting and printing? Have no idea what to do or where to start? You're in the right place!

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Step 1 of 16
This is a bench hook. You can make one yourself from wood scraps.

This is a bench hook. You can make one yourself from wood scraps.

Step 2 of 16
Craft knives for doing lots of little jobs; scoring, neatening up things, and ya know, slicing stuff?

Craft knives for doing lots of little jobs; scoring, neatening up things, and ya know, slicing stuff?

Step 3 of 16
This is a Lino cutter. The blade in the handle is a #1 V, the one in my hand loose is a #4 Gouge (U).

This is a Lino cutter. The blade in the handle is a #1 V, the one in my hand loose is a #4 Gouge (U).

Step 4 of 16
There's a bit of Lino offcut... Not necessarily the same stuff as what's on the kitchen floor. This has hessian backing.

There's a bit of Lino offcut... Not necessarily the same stuff as what's on the kitchen floor. This has hessian backing.

Step 5 of 16
This is a brayer; or roller, to those not in the know

This is a brayer; or roller, to those not in the know

Step 6 of 16
Printing ink. Comes in many colours, but you can also mix it. You can get either oil or h2O based versions; this is water based. Easy to clean up!

Printing ink. Comes in many colours, but you can also mix it. You can get either oil or h2O based versions; this is water based. Easy to clean up!

Step 7 of 16
My ink tray. It's a cake board covered in sticky backed plastic! I am cheap and inventive...

My ink tray. It's a cake board covered in sticky backed plastic! I am cheap and inventive...

Step 8 of 16
First things first, sketch your design.

First things first, sketch your design.

Step 9 of 16
Draw up your designs. On this 🐰 one, I shaded the parts I was cutting away. Do whatever works for you.

Draw up your designs. On this 🐰 one, I shaded the parts I was cutting away. Do whatever works for you.

Step 10 of 16
Plan which areas will be coloured (inked) and which will remain white (un-inked). For this one, I think the dove shape will be cut out (white).

Plan which areas will be coloured (inked) and which will remain white (un-inked). For this one, I think the dove shape will be cut out (white).

Step 11 of 16
Cut your outlines first.

Cut your outlines first.

Step 12 of 16
This is a good place for a cuppa. Don't rush, don't hurry it. You can always take more, you can't easily fix it if you take out too much at once.

This is a good place for a cuppa. Don't rush, don't hurry it. You can always take more, you can't easily fix it if you take out too much at once.

Step 13 of 16
When your brayer (roller) is inky, gently and smoothly transfer ink to your Lino.

When your brayer (roller) is inky, gently and smoothly transfer ink to your Lino.

Step 14 of 16
Rub the back of the print firmly with another brayer, a door knob etc to make sure the print has transferred. Then carefully peel away the paper.

Rub the back of the print firmly with another brayer, a door knob etc to make sure the print has transferred. Then carefully peel away the paper.

Step 15 of 16
L-R, first to last. This allows you to see if you need to cut more. (not happy with the neck here, and the mane needs depth) Leave the block to dry with ink on it so you can tell where to cut.

L-R, first to last. This allows you to see if you need to cut more. (not happy with the neck here, and the mane needs depth) Leave the block to dry with ink on it so you can tell where to cut.

Step 16 of 16
Make sure you wash your print block carefully and check your brayer is clean.

Make sure you wash your print block carefully and check your brayer is clean.

You're Done

Check out other guides by this author!

Essex, UK
Civil servant by day, crochetière by night. Animal rights obsessed veggie. Make-do-and-mend'er. Horse rider. Bunny mother.

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Supplies

1 Lino

1 Lino cutting tool & blades

1 Brayer

1 Printing ink & tray

1 Bench hook

1 Craft knife

1 Beverage of choice

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Lini D

I need to do the inking steps for the guide, but I'll do that later when I actually ink my own print up. ☺

(author) 8 months ago

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