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Jigsaw Linocut is a fantastic way of creating a multi-coloured print from just one block and just one layer. By cutting our carved block into jigsaw pieces we can ink them up separately before putting them back together and printing. Scroll down for a video or read on. When using this technique, it’s necessary to …
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This speedy project is great to loosen up you printmaking when a blank page is too daunting! It used simple materials and equipment and is great for children too. Scroll down to watch a video or read on. We will be printing with pencil erasers – the little round rubber ends of pencils are perfect...
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This is an easy way to create a relief print without using any lino! It’s a great project for children as requires no gouges – you can use scissors (grown ups can use craft knives too). These designs would make lovely...
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Relief Printing Presses are a great option if you want to speed up your lino printing process. This one is available in A4 and square format. This type of press uses a platen to press down firmly to transfer ink from your block to the paper. Read on or scroll to the bottom to watch a …
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It can be tricky to see where you are carving when making a lino block, making it more easy to make mistakes. An easy solution to this problem is to stain the lino. That way, the colour of the lino on the surface is different to the inside, allowing cut marks to show easily. Read …
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Etching presses aren’t just for printing etchings. They have a bed that is rolled between two rollers, the top of which is adjustable in height. This makes it great for printing from lots of different surfaces as the tension is customised for each print! Printing a linocut with an etching press is easy with a …
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If you are completely new to linocut and would like help getting started, you are in the right place! Read on or scroll to the bottom to watch a video. Start with a piece of lino. There are several to choose from, from traditional Lino to Easy Carve to Softcut. You can learn more about …
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Tangrams are a set of seven puzzle pieces all cut from one square. The pieces can be rearranged into lots of different designs, making them a great activity for children. We can make our own set of tangram stamps from a square of Mastercut or other stamp carving material, to be stamped onto paper or …
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We have found Zest It Printmakers Washdown an incredibly useful addition to our studio. It’s designed to remove dried on acrylics and so far has got us out of a couple of scrapes. Here are a few ways to use it in your studio: Removing dried on water-based relief printing inks from rollers, blocks and …
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Caligo Inks are oil-based but water-washable so they are a fantastic option for your printmaking practice but how do we clean up after using them? Read on or scroll to the bottom of the page for a video. No solvents or special cleaners are needed to clean up Cranfield’s Caligo Inks. Fill an old jug …
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When mixing Caligo Relief Printing Inks (although this also applies to other brands), we can choose between adding Extender or Opaque White when we want a paler colour. They produce quite different results. Watch our video at the bottom of the page or read on. Extender is a colourless ink. It will make colours more …
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Sometimes, when we use Ternes Burton pins and tabs, the tape sticks to the printing paper making a mess. We can choose to cut our paper a little longer so the excess can be trimmed but there’s another way that doesn’t waste paper! Watch the video below or read on. If you haven’t heard of …
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When you’re carving a lino block it can be handy to be able to see how your block will print before you ink it up. By taking a rubbing of your block you can get an idea of what your final print might look like. Scroll to the bottom of the page for a video …
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One of the problems to overcome when printing a linocut is ink being picked up by the carved away areas of the block. These lines print onto the paper causing 'chatter' or 'noise'. Sometimes chatter on a print can add character or interest to a piece but other times it can just get in the way. This method uses Ternes Burton Pins and Tabs and a piece of Mylar to mask the areas causing chatter. (scroll to the bottom of the page for a video)...
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Sometimes when block printing, blocks can resist the ink and it splits on the surface. This makes it difficult to print a flat, even colour and can be so frustrating. This is particularly common on vinyl blocks when using water-based inks but can occur on lots of surfaces. Use this quick, easy technique to prepare …
Continue reading "How to Fix Reticulating Ink when Relief Printing"
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The ever-helpful Michael from Cranfield has some top tips for drying prints when working with oil-based inks. We’ve summarised some of his advice to help us with our own printmaking: When working with oil-based inks, the air in the room is very important in order for your prints to dry. The atmosphere should be warm …
Continue reading "Drying Prints when Using Oil-Based Inks"
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This two-layered lino card is quick, easy and so effective on square kraft cards. Print or draw your design onto paper. Trace your design so that it is in reverse. Use a piece of red carbon paper to transfer the design onto a piece of lino. Carve out the unwanted areas of the design with …
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This card is such a quick make and is so easy to print in large quantities with Versacraft ink pads. A pencil eraser is a resourceful and quick way to print the berries! Draw the leaf shapes onto a piece of Mastercut or another stamping block. Use a lino tool to carve around the edges …
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Stamping is one of the easiest ways to print at home. Use ready-made stamps or carve your own to create beautiful designs. We love these Delicata Metallic Ink Pads for printing onto paper. They come in Golden Glitz, Celestial Copper and Silvery Shimmer. All three print brilliantly onto both light and dark papers. Ink up …
Continue reading "Delicata Metallic Ink Pads"
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Choosing the right roller for your relief printing can get confusing. Different uses, budgets, sizes and preferences can dictate which roller is best for you. We’ve put together a guide to lino rollers to help you choose the best roller for you. There are several factors that decide how a roller will perform: There are …
Continue reading "Relief Printing Rollers: A Comprehensive Guide"
Jigsaw Linocut is a fantastic way of creating a multi-coloured print from just one block and just one layer. By cutting our carved block into jigsaw pieces we can ink them up separately before putting them back together and printing. Scroll down for a video or read on. When using this technique, it’s necessary to …
This speedy project is great to loosen up you printmaking when a blank page is too daunting! It used simple materials and equipment and is great for children too. Scroll down to watch a video or read on. We will be printing with pencil erasers – the little round rubber ends of pencils are perfect...
This is an easy way to create a relief print without using any lino! It’s a great project for children as requires no gouges – you can use scissors (grown ups can use craft knives too). These designs would make lovely...
Relief Printing Presses are a great option if you want to speed up your lino printing process. This one is available in A4 and square format. This type of press uses a platen to press down firmly to transfer ink from your block to the paper. Read on or scroll to the bottom to watch a …
It can be tricky to see where you are carving when making a lino block, making it more easy to make mistakes. An easy solution to this problem is to stain the lino. That way, the colour of the lino on the surface is different to the inside, allowing cut marks to show easily. Read …
Etching presses aren’t just for printing etchings. They have a bed that is rolled between two rollers, the top of which is adjustable in height. This makes it great for printing from lots of different surfaces as the tension is customised for each print! Printing a linocut with an etching press is easy with a …
If you are completely new to linocut and would like help getting started, you are in the right place! Read on or scroll to the bottom to watch a video. Start with a piece of lino. There are several to choose from, from traditional Lino to Easy Carve to Softcut. You can learn more about …
Tangrams are a set of seven puzzle pieces all cut from one square. The pieces can be rearranged into lots of different designs, making them a great activity for children. We can make our own set of tangram stamps from a square of Mastercut or other stamp carving material, to be stamped onto paper or …
We have found Zest It Printmakers Washdown an incredibly useful addition to our studio. It’s designed to remove dried on acrylics and so far has got us out of a couple of scrapes. Here are a few ways to use it in your studio: Removing dried on water-based relief printing inks from rollers, blocks and …
Caligo Inks are oil-based but water-washable so they are a fantastic option for your printmaking practice but how do we clean up after using them? Read on or scroll to the bottom of the page for a video. No solvents or special cleaners are needed to clean up Cranfield’s Caligo Inks. Fill an old jug …
When mixing Caligo Relief Printing Inks (although this also applies to other brands), we can choose between adding Extender or Opaque White when we want a paler colour. They produce quite different results. Watch our video at the bottom of the page or read on. Extender is a colourless ink. It will make colours more …
Sometimes, when we use Ternes Burton pins and tabs, the tape sticks to the printing paper making a mess. We can choose to cut our paper a little longer so the excess can be trimmed but there’s another way that doesn’t waste paper! Watch the video below or read on. If you haven’t heard of …
When you’re carving a lino block it can be handy to be able to see how your block will print before you ink it up. By taking a rubbing of your block you can get an idea of what your final print might look like. Scroll to the bottom of the page for a video …
One of the problems to overcome when printing a linocut is ink being picked up by the carved away areas of the block. These lines print onto the paper causing 'chatter' or 'noise'. Sometimes chatter on a print can add character or interest to a piece but other times it can just get in the way. This method uses Ternes Burton Pins and Tabs and a piece of Mylar to mask the areas causing chatter. (scroll to the bottom of the page for a video)...
Sometimes when block printing, blocks can resist the ink and it splits on the surface. This makes it difficult to print a flat, even colour and can be so frustrating. This is particularly common on vinyl blocks when using water-based inks but can occur on lots of surfaces. Use this quick, easy technique to prepare … Continue reading "How to Fix Reticulating Ink when Relief Printing"
The ever-helpful Michael from Cranfield has some top tips for drying prints when working with oil-based inks. We’ve summarised some of his advice to help us with our own printmaking: When working with oil-based inks, the air in the room is very important in order for your prints to dry. The atmosphere should be warm … Continue reading "Drying Prints when Using Oil-Based Inks"
This two-layered lino card is quick, easy and so effective on square kraft cards. Print or draw your design onto paper. Trace your design so that it is in reverse. Use a piece of red carbon paper to transfer the design onto a piece of lino. Carve out the unwanted areas of the design with …
This card is such a quick make and is so easy to print in large quantities with Versacraft ink pads. A pencil eraser is a resourceful and quick way to print the berries! Draw the leaf shapes onto a piece of Mastercut or another stamping block. Use a lino tool to carve around the edges …
Stamping is one of the easiest ways to print at home. Use ready-made stamps or carve your own to create beautiful designs. We love these Delicata Metallic Ink Pads for printing onto paper. They come in Golden Glitz, Celestial Copper and Silvery Shimmer. All three print brilliantly onto both light and dark papers. Ink up … Continue reading "Delicata Metallic Ink Pads"
Choosing the right roller for your relief printing can get confusing. Different uses, budgets, sizes and preferences can dictate which roller is best for you. We’ve put together a guide to lino rollers to help you choose the best roller for you. There are several factors that decide how a roller will perform: There are … Continue reading "Relief Printing Rollers: A Comprehensive Guide"
