Linoleum Block Printing

Relief Printing: Or Linocut

Carve away the negative space; the raised surface holds the ink

In the early 1900s, German Expressionists and artists like Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse realized it was softer, cheaper, and easier to carve than wood blocks.

Elizabeth Catlett (1915–2012): Renowned African American printmaker and sculptor who used bold, dramatic linocuts to celebrate Black women, workers, and civil rights (Sharecropper, 1952). Her work showed that linocut lines can be powerful, emotional, and rhythmic.

Carving Directions:

• Lino Cutter / Gouge:

  • Small V-gouge: Fine details, thin outlines.

  • Medium U-gouge: Clearing medium spaces, bold marks.

  • Large U-gouge / Flat chisel: Clearing large background areas.

• Bench Hook: Metal or wooden tray hooked to table edge to hold the block steady without using your free hand as a stop.

• THE CARDINAL SAFETY RULE: Always carve AWAY from yourself. Never put your non-carving hand in front of the blade. Turn the block, never the knife.

• 4-step photographic progression:

  • Sketching on paper

  • Graphite transfer to block

  • Marker shading

  • Carving with gouges

• Step-by-Step Technique:

  • Step 1: Sketch in Black & White. Draw on paper first. Use a black Sharpie to block out dark shapes and leave white paper for carved areas. No gray pencil shading allowed!

  • Step 2: Transfer the Design. Use graphite transfer or chalk transfer to get the drawing onto the linoleum block (reversed).

  • Step 3: Darken the Block. Lightly wipe a water-thinned drop of ink or use a marker over the carving surface so you can clearly see every cut you make.

  • Step 4: Outline First, Clear Second. Use the fine V-gouge to cut the border around your shapes. Then switch to the wider U-gouge to scoop out the white background.

Run your fingertips gently across the carved areas. Are they deep enough? If a carved area is too shallow, stray ink will catch on it.

Printing Directions:

• Vocabulary & Step-by-Step Technique:

  • Brayer: The rubber roller used to spread a thin, smooth layer of ink.

  • Baren: A flat, smooth disc with a handle used to press paper onto the inked block evenly.

  • Step 1: Charge the Brayer. Squeeze a dime-sized line of water-soluble block printing ink onto an inking slab. Roll back and forth until the roller makes a quiet "velvety hiss" or "orange peel texture." Too thick = muddy blobs; too thin = patchy prints.

  • Step 2: Ink the Block. Roll ink across the block in multiple directions (north-south, east-west) until raised surfaces have an even, satin sheen.

  • Step 3: Registration & Placement. Gently place paper down on the block. Once it touches, do not wiggle it!

  • Step 4: Burnish. Rub firmly in circular motions across the entire back of the paper with your baren or the back of a wooden spoon.

  • Step 5: The Pull. Hold one corner and slowly peel the paper back to reveal your print. Place on the drying rack.