Linocut printmaking resources

A couple of years ago I thought about doing some linocut printmaking, which I used to enjoy at university but haven’t done since. I didn’t get round to starting but I did read a lot of blogs and collected a lot of links. I thought that collection might be more useful online, so here it is.

But first: I collect linocuts that I like on this Pinterest board. I’ve been amazed at how varied – and un-linocutt-y – so many linocuts are.

Tools and materials

Introductions
- Ten essential materials and tools for linocut (Nick Morley)
- Introduction to tools and equipment (Draw Cut Ink Press)
- Introduction to Linocut for Beginners (Handprinted)
- Introduction to Linocut Tools (Handprinted)
Types of lino
- Different kinds of lino blocks (Handprinted)
- Alt-Lino: A personal review (Colin Blanchard)
Inks
- Best Linocut Inks for Block Printing on Paper and Fabric (Rich Fowler)
- Inks for lino - Oil or water based? (Laura Boswell)
- Water-based ink comparison test (Laura Boswell)
- The difference between oil and water based inks for lino printing. (Laura Boswell)
- How to clean Caligo inks (Handprinted)
Ink rollers
- Guide to different ink rollers (Handprinted)
- Ink rollers for printmaking (Draw Cut Ink Press)
Paper
- Best paper for lino printing (Draw Cut Ink Press)
- Choosing Good Papers for Hand Printing Linoleum Blocks (Rich Fowler)
Cutting tools
- A guide to Pfeil lino cutting tools (Draw Cut Ink Press)
- Flexcut lino cutting tools reviewed (Draw Cut Ink Press)
- My Five Favourite Pfeils (Colin Blanchard)
- Choosing the Best Linocut Carving Tools for Block Printing (Rich Fowler)
Sharpening tools
- With a strop (Draw Cut Ink Press)
- With a whetstone (Draw Cut Ink Press)
- What is a slipstone and why should I use one? (Draw Cut Ink Press)
- Keep Safe - Keep Sharp! (Colin Blanchard)
- Sharpening Relief Printmaking Tools (Printgonzalez)
XCut XPress
- The Handbag press [XCut Xpress] (Colin Blanchard)
- Blackbirds on the XCut XPress (Colin Blanchard) (multi-colour print)
- Additional thoughts on XCut XPeriments 1: Blankets (Colin Blanchard)
Big Shot Pro press
- Further Thoughts on the Big Shot Pro (Colin Blanchard)

Techniques

The basics
- Step-by-step linocut example (Draw Cut Ink Press)
- Getting started with linocut – Equipment (Nick Morley)
- Lino printing process (Luke Hickman)
- Linocutting exercises for beginners (Draw Cut Ink Press)
- How to Carve and Print a Simple Linocut for Beginners (Handprinted)
- 10 top tips for linocut printmaking (Laura Boswell)
Using a baren
- Using a baren for printmaking (Draw Cut Ink Press)
- Printing a solid lino block with a baren (Handprinted)
Reduction linocuts
- How to do a reduction linocut (Handprinted)
- Making a Reduction Linocut (Handprinted)
- How it’s made: reduction linocut my way… (Laura Boswell)
- Printing a Colour Reduction Linocut (video)
Multi-block linocuts
- How to do a multi block linocut (Handprinted)
- Making a Multi-Block Linocut (Handprinted)
- Multi-block linocut printing using a Key Block method (Laura Boswell, video)
Registration for multi-block and reduction printing
- Registering a print with Ternes Burton pins (Handprinted)
- Colour Lino Printing & Multiple Layer Registration (Draw Cut Ink Press)
- Making a registration device (Laura Boswell)
Jigsaw linocut
- Jigsaw linocut (Handprinted)
Using ink extender
- Comparing mixing inks with extender compared to opaque white (Handprinted)
- Using Ink Extender (Laura Boswell)
- Lino Printing Techniques: Using Extender for transparent Linocut Layers (Laura Boswell, video)
Printing colour gradients
- How to print a colour blend (Nick Morley)
- Lino printing a colour gradient (Draw Cut Ink Press)
More
- Introduction to Colour Mixing: Caligo Process Colour Wheel (Handprinted)
- Using Different Tools to Make Marks on Lino (Handprinted)
- Jigsaw linocut with a rainbow roll (Handprinted)
- Using a Mylar Mask to Reduce Chatter in a Linocut (Handprinted)
- Cleaning a linocut after printing (Draw Cut Ink Press)
- Taking a Quick Proof of your Linocut with a Rubbing (Handprinted)
- How to do drypoint printing (Handprinted)
- Managing different pressures on different areas on one inking (Laura Boswell)
- Preparing your lino (Laura Boswell)
- Lino Cut Techniques: Fine Detail (Laura Boswell, video)

Miscellaneous topics

Editioning and signing
- Editioning Prints (Handprinted)
- A Guide to Editioning and Signing Fine Art Prints (Printgonzalez)
Results of a survey of 50 lino printmakers on their preferred methods and materials by Sophie Graine (Laura Boswell, PDF)

Recommended Equipment

These things were all recommended repeatedly in what I read.

Caligo Safe Wash inks - oil based but can be washed with soap and water
Ternes Burton pins
Pfeil tools
Hawthorn inking rollers
Presses
- Xcut Xpress
- Woodzilla presses
- Hawthorn press

UK shops

Where to buy linocutting tools and equipment in the UK.