Speedball Linoleum Cutter Assortment #1

Product Information

Baren: Some linocut printmaking kits above come with a cheap baren and you can get by with a spoon for a while, but upgrading to an inexpensive Japanese bamboo baren is the next best thing to a full-fledged press. Placing your lino on a non-slip surface like rubber of felt means you don’t have to hold onto it with your non-cutting hand. This will save a lot of energy and arm-ache. You can buy cheap non-slip matting from pound shops. Linoleum is made from natural materials: linseed oil, cork and resin. Over time it dries out and becomes hard and brittle. Fresh linoleum smells of linseed oil and is flexible. Make sure you buy fresh! I recommend Intaglio Printmaker.

Always carve away from yourself when working on your lino print. This helps prevent accidents should the tool slip. It’s prudent to have a first aid kit nearby, just in case. The two crucial things to remember are that you cut away what you don't want to print, and you need to be careful you don't cut your fingers.Transfer your design onto a piece of lino that’s slightly larger than required. This provides a margin for error, especially if your print is slightly off-centre. High-Quality Tools: Quality tools, such as professional-grade carving tools and brayers, can prevent many beginner issues.

Clear Workspace: Ensure you have a clean and well-lit workspace. Good lighting will enable you to see faint lines more clearly, and a clutter-free area will reduce the chances of accidental smudges. 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.

Top Ten Tips for Linocutting

So when you’ve got the straight lines down like a true master, try the squares in Figs D & E. You probably will want to draw these out in pencil or pen first, but you should be able to create some very nice squares, but pay close attention to the corners, and try to achieve really nice crisp points to the angles where the straight lines meet.