Avoid Over-Carving: Be cautious not to carve too deeply, as this can go all the way through the lino and affect how it prints. Once you have a bit more experience with linocut, you might want to consider upgrading your cutters. You don’t necessarily need to spend a fortune to get good results, but it may crafting more comfortable and satisfying. HELP. Am doing a large lino cut 1mx1m using Hosho Hik Paper, Silk Cut Lino and Derivan water based inks. Flexcut is another excellent brand for lino cutters, and this set is a step above beginner cutters from Speedball or Essdee. Research and Inspiration: Before starting, spend some time looking at existing lino prints. This can provide inspiration, give you a sense of different styles, and help you understand what works well in this medium.

If you are new to the craft and don’t want to spend a lot of money on linocut tools, these are the ink rollers you’ll get. In fact, all of the lino cutting kits for beginners in the first section of this article include a soft rubber brayer of some size. If you want to start taking your linocut printmaking more seriously or consider selling your work, you should upgrade to a better brayer. And the best brayers are Japanese hard rubber ink rollers. Consider starting with a few trial prints on materials like newsprint. This allows for any necessary adjustments to your linocut – always remember that while you can carve away more material, it’s impossible to replace what’s been removed. If you can, get a few different tools: V-gouges, U-gouges, large and small. Use all the tools you have, each will make a different kind of mark. For example, a V-gouge will make a very fine line if you use just the tip. If you carve deeper it will make a wider line. If you want some truly professional linocut tools, you’re going to want to look into products from a company called Pfeil.Join a Community: The lino printing community is a rich source of knowledge. Seek advice from seasoned artists, attend workshops, or participate in online groups. Stabilise Your Work: Ensure that both your paper and lino are on a non-slip surface. Holding both securely in place will assist in an accurate transfer. Lino Cutter and Five Blades Set includes five precision cutters in styles 1 to 5, and a sturdy lino cutter handle with an expandable collar for easy fitting and tightening. This set enables the user to create a number of different patterns.

As with anything new, start with a simple design and get a feel for the technique first. Plan your design using layers of tracing paper, one for each color, before you start cutting. (Remember the paper color too.) When you've recut the lino, do a test print on a separate sheet of paper to ensure the cut is how you want it, before printing onto your actual prints. Wash your hands before starting. Natural oils and residue from your skin can interfere with the ink’s adherence to the lino or paper. Simplification: Especially for beginners, intricate details can be challenging to carve. Consider simplifying certain aspects of your design to make the carving process smoother.This is a really helpful blog, generous with the info, and really useful. I’ve got all the tools, and now will make sure I get lino as fresh as possible. I’ve got several sheets of the rubbery stuff which I’ve fooled around on and found that I don’t really like; it’s too soft.