How to Carve a Linoleum Block for Printing

Making your own holiday cards is creative and fun - and it enables you to create an individual expression in a world of mass-produced products. Here's how to prepare a block for printing.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Linoleum Block Carving Tool Sets
• Linoleum Block Inks
• Linoleum Blocks (s)
• Clean Rags
• Clean Rags
• Envelopes
• Ink Rollers
• Paper Or Greeting Cards
• Paper Towels
• Soft-lead Pencils
• Tracing Paper
• Paper Towels
• Paper towels
• flat, glass baking dishes

1. Check your design carefully - is it the right size?

2. Check the spelling if there is text.

3. Assess the text and the design. Put it aside for a while if you're not sure you like it; change it if there's anything you don't like.

4. Take the drawing and flip it over onto your linoleum block so that the pencil marks are face down on the block.

5. Tape down the drawing if necessary. You want it to stay in place.

6. Trace over your drawing from the back. Go over every line, dot, and shading.

7. Transfer each separate color to a separate linoleum block, if you're planning to print in more than one color.

8. Lift the tracing paper off the block. The process of tracing should have transferred your design to the surface of the block.

9. Put the drawing aside.

10. Lay the linoleum block on a stable surface, and hold it in place with your left hand. (If you're left-handed, hold the block with your right hand.)

11. Use the carving tools to shape the surface of the block. You may want to use the edging tool first to outline any straight lines.

12. Brush away scraps frequently to maintain a clear view of your design.

Tips & Warnings

• You don't have to be confused about multiple colors: Imagine that your ultimate goal is a green holly sprig with red berries and the words "Happy Holidays!" in red. On one block, transfer and carve the leaves and stem only - for green. On another block, transfer and carve the berries and the text. This will be the block for red.
• If you're new to this process and confused about positive and negative space, mark your design clearly after you transfer the outline. For example, scribble over all the negative space in red and all the positive in green. Use this as a guide while you carve.
• Do this project in a bright light - it will reflect off the pencil and make it easier to see the design.
• Always cut away from yourself - not just away from your hand, but away from your fingers, too.
• If you're having trouble, your tools may need sharpening - or you may need to carve more shallowly at first and then deepen your cut.
• Remember, lines that are too fine won't print.

[IntenseGirl]

on 9/26/2007 so... how do I transfer the image on my block on to the paper? Also... is there special cutting tools for linoleum or can I use the ones I have for woodblock?

[reliefprinter]

on 5/8/2007 edit:
That should read, "This process quickly transfers the image directly onto the [block]."

[reliefprinter]

on 5/8/2007 Great Tutorial!
One method that I use to transfer images onto the linoleum block is to draw an image onto a sheet of tracing paper w/a pencil. [of course in reverse] Once I'm done drawing I flip the image over [pencil marks - side down] onto the linoleum block and using either the side of my thumb or the back of a spoon I press back and forth & up and down over the image. This process quickly transfers the image directly onto the print. Thanks Much, Sassafrass Winter Solstice

on 8/8/2006 After transferring your image onto the linoleum block with graphite, you can take a black permanent marker and re draw the image. This will allow you to see the lines better and will not smudge off. Make sure to color in all areas that need to be left after cutting the block. By using a black permanent marker it will allow you to see the positive and negative spaces, and to make sure you do not cut the images you want to leave. When you are finished cutting the linoleum block, the black lines will be remaining. This will help you to visualize the image before you print.

on 2/7/2006 If you find it difficult to carve the linoleum, you can heat the surface with an iron to make it more pliable. I suggest finding an iron from a second hand store because the linoleum and pencil marks do leave residue.