Staining a Block with Sumi Ink

When carving traditional lino it can be difficult to see your lines. Staining the block first can enable you to have more visibility, and therefore a more accurate design. Sumi Ink is a great option for block staining, and it's simple and quick.

Brush some Sumi ink onto your block. For best results, wet sand the block a little first.

Work the ink in with a dry cloth.

When dry, draw your design onto the block. Lumocolour white pencils are ideal as they show up beautifully on the black stain.

Carve the design. Your carved lines will show up beautifully as the grey lino contrasts with the black stain.

Use a damp cloth to remove any excess ink residue from the block. If you're printing using a very pale colour, this might not be the ideal method for you as some staining can be transferred to the paper for the first few prints. Darker colours will cover this up.

Print with your block as normal.