How to Lino Print for Beginners

Last Updates Published: January 07, 2025

Are you intrigued by the idea of carving your own designs and printing them at home? Lino printing offers a hands-on, creative approach that’s surprisingly easy to dive into, even if you’re completely new to printmaking. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the essentials, from gathering tools and setting up your workspace to inking and troubleshooting, all so you can enjoy the satisfaction of pulling a fresh print straight off the lino block.

What is Lino Printing?

Lino printing is viewed as a traditional relief printmaking method, lino print is also known as linocut. When lino printing you cut a design into a block of linoleum, then ink the remaining raised surface with a brayer and print onto either paper or fabrics using a baren. You can print multiple copies of the same artwork, which are know as editions.

Lino printing is one method of relief printmaking, with similar processes to traditional woodblock printing. Linoleum is a preferred material when compared to wood due to its ease of use when carving.

Some linocut techniques are quite simple such as printing 1 colour lino prints, but can also include reduction printing when creating multi colour prints or using registration methods when multi block lino printing. In this guide we cover the 1 colour linocut technique. We will be using a baren or wooden spoon to lino print with and not a lino printing press, as a lino printing press is very expensive!

The Lino Printing Process

• Designing Your Lino Print
• Transferring Your Design onto the Lino
• How to Cut Lino
• Inking Your Lino
• Printing Your Lino Cut
• Clean Up

Monsters From The ID – Linocut on Zerkall Paper

A great video on the lino printing process by EHollingsheadArt

How to Make a Linocut – The Lino Printing Process Step by Step

The basic steps of how to do lino printing are designing your image, carving it into a linoleum block, and printing it onto paper using ink. Begin your linocut journey with our concise, step-by-step guides below. Featuring helpful infographics and video tutorials, our tutorials provide everything you need to start lino printing, whether you’re a beginner to linocut or an experienced printmaking artist.

1. Gather Linocut Materials

Start by collecting all the necessary materials for lino printing: linoleum block, cutting tools, ink, paper, brayer, baren, glass sheet, scraper, pencil, and carbon paper. If you’re unsure what materials are essential, check out our complete material guide for lino printing.

Next, let’s prepare your workspace to ensure everything is set up correctly.

2. Prepare Workspace – Setting up Studio and Workspace

With your materials ready, it’s time to ensure your workspace is clean, well-lit, and protected with a covering. For tips on setting up a professional workspace, refer to our guide one preparing your workspace or studio for linoleum printing.

Once your workspace is ready, it’s time to focus on your design.

3. Design Your Linocut – Planning Your Linoleum Print

Now that your workspace is prepared, begin sketching your design on paper and transfer it to your linoleum block using carbon paper or draw straight onto your lino block. If you need help with creating your design, check out our guide to designing your lino print.

After you have your design ready, it’s time to transfer it onto the linoleum block.

4. Transferring Your Design onto the Linoleum

With your design complete, the next step is transferring it onto your linoleum block. Follow the steps in our guide on transferring your design onto your block of linoleum to ensure a smooth transfer and avoid errors.

Once your design is on the block, let’s move on to carving.

5. Carve Linoleum – How to Cut and Carve Lino Block

Using the proper lino cutting tools, carefully carve out your design on the linoleum block. Our how to carve your linoleum blocks guide offers detailed techniques for carving clean and accurate lines.

With the carving done, let’s get ready for inking.

6. Ink the Lino Block – How to Ink Your Linoleum

After carving, it’s time to apply ink. Use a brayer to roll out a thin, even layer of ink across the raised surfaces of your linoleum block. For more detailed techniques on inking, read our guide on inking your block. If you’re interested in printing in multiple colours, explore our masking technique for multi-colour printing.

• You can read this other guide that covers multi colour lino printing methods for more advanced methods.

Once your block is inked, it’s time to print your design.

7. Print Design – Printing Your Linocut

Place the paper onto your inked linocut block and use a baren or the back of a spoon to apply even pressure. This will transfer the ink onto the paper, creating your print. For more details on this process, check out our guide on printing your linocut.

Once your print is done, let’s move on to drying and cleaning up.

8. Dry and Finish – Clean-Up After Lino Printing

Carefully lift the paper from the block and let it dry. While the print dries, it’s important to clean your tools and workspace properly. Follow our lino print cleaning guide to ensure everything is ready for future projects.

Having Lino Printing Problems?

If your prints are coming out smudged, faint, or marked where they shouldn’t be, don’t worry! Head over to our short Lino Printing Troubleshooting Guide for easy fixes to the most common issues. With a few adjustments, you’ll be back to pulling crisp, beautiful prints in no time.

Designing and cutting linocut

Lino Printing FAQ Section

Below are answers to commonly asked questions about linocut, covering topics that go beyond basic troubleshooting.

Why is Linocut Criticised?

Short Answer: Linocut often receives criticism for its softer linoleum material (less durable, holds less detail) and a general perception that it’s a simpler, less sophisticated printmaking technique.

Detailed Explanation

• Durability: Linoleum is inherently softer than wood, causing blocks to degrade with repeated use, especially for large editions.
• Detail Limitations: Due to its pliability, linoleum doesn’t hold ultra-fine or intricate details as well as harder surfaces like wood or metal.
• Simplistic Perception: Its accessible nature and shallower learning curve can lead some to dismiss linocut as “less refined” compared to etching or lithography.

Despite these criticisms, linocut is widely respected for its bold lines, tactile carving experience, and the creative possibilities it offers both beginners and experienced artists.

Is Lino Printing the Same as Block Printing?

Short Answer: No, but they are closely related. Lino printing is one form of block printing, both belonging to the relief printmaking family.

Detailed Explanation

• Common Ground: In relief printing, ink is rolled onto raised surfaces of a carved block and transferred to paper or fabric.
• Key Differences:
  • Materials: Lino printing uses linoleum, which is softer and easier to carve, while block printing can involve wood, rubber, or stone.
  • Carving: The smoothness of linoleum often suits more detailed designs, whereas wood’s grain can introduce a distinctive texture and rustic feel.

Despite the variations, both techniques share core methods and yield visually striking prints.

Lino Printing vs Woodblock Printing

Short Answer: Both are relief printmaking methods, but lino printing uses linoleum while woodblock printing uses wooden blocks. The result is typically smoother lines from lino and a grainy, more textured feel from wood.

Detailed Explanation

• Material & Texture: Linoleum’s softness makes carving simpler, ideal for crisp lines and finer details. Wooden blocks, however, can contribute a natural grain texture to the final piece.
• Ease of Use: Lino is often favoured by beginners or those seeking cleaner finishes, whereas woodblock printing may appeal to artists wanting a more traditional or rustic look.

For more on relief printmaking, see forms of relief printmaking.

Multicolour Lino Printing

Short Answer: You can achieve multi-colour lino prints either by using one block (reduction printing) or multiple blocks, each dedicated to a specific colour.

Detailed Explanation

• Reduction Printing: Carve and print the first colour; then carve away more of the same block before printing the next colour, layering your design with each step.
• Multiple Blocks: Each colour has its own block; the prints are layered using precise registration to align the final image.

Explore more on multicolour lino printing techniques.

Why Choose Linocut?

Short Answer: Linocut is prized for its straightforward setup, budget-friendly materials, and creative versatility – perfect for home artists of all levels.

Detailed Explanation

• Simplicity: Minimal equipment needed; you can carve and print right from a kitchen table.
• Accessibility: Ideal for newcomers, as softer linoleum is easier to carve than wood.
• Creative Freedom: Despite its perceived simplicity, linocut can deliver intricate designs and bold prints, offering a satisfying blend of technique and expression.

Can You Lino Print at Home?

Short Answer: Absolutely. All you need are basic carving tools, ink, a roller, linoleum blocks, and paper – making it one of the most beginner-friendly printmaking methods.

Detailed Explanation

• Cost-Effective: Basic sets of tools and materials are affordable and widely available.
• Project Range: From homemade Christmas cards to full-scale art prints, lino printing adapts to various creative goals.
• Getting Started: Check out our step-by-step tutorial for beginners, or see our printmaking guide for more context.

If you want to make it even more eco-friendly, try our Sustainable Printmaking Guide.

Your Next Print Awaits: Final Thoughts and Next Steps

Congratulations on taking your first steps into the world of lino printing! By following these basic techniques and tips, you’re already well on your way to producing eye-catching linocuts from the comfort of your home. As you continue experimenting, remember that each carved block and proof print is a new learning opportunity. Don’t be afraid to explore different inks, papers, or even multi-colour methods as you build confidence.

If you run into any stumbling blocks, smudged edges, faint impressions, or stray marks – take a look at our Lino Printing Troubleshooting Guide for easy fixes. We also have more resources on advanced techniques if you’re eager to expand your repertoire. Most importantly, have fun, embrace the creative process, and watch your unique style unfold with every print you pull. Happy printing!