Blog - Relief Printmaking

Blog menu
  • Making a Multi-Block Linocut

    Making a Multi-Block Linocut

    A multi-block linocut uses more than one piece of lino to create a layered image. Usually, each block is inked with a separate colour. Where the colours overlap, another colour can be achieved. Multi-block linocuts allow you to partially print an edition and create complete test prints as you can go back to each block…
  • How to Design and Print a Half Drop Repeating Pattern

    How to Design and Print a Half Drop Repeating Pattern

    A half drop is a great way of creating a repeating pattern where the repeat is slightly obscured. It can make for a less gridded-looking structure and add complexity to your design. Here's a simple, analogue way to make one...
  • In the Studio 2022

    In the Studio 2022

    We have had the pleasure of hosting lots of new and exciting Fab Friday workshops and wonderful Guest Tutors in 2022, exploring a variety . . .
  • Using Schmincke Water-Based Inks to Create a Jigsaw Linocut

    Using Schmincke Water-Based Inks to Create a Jigsaw Linocut

    We love the range of colours that are available in Schmincke water-based inks. We’re creating a jigsaw linocut to allow us to use multiple colours of Schmincke ink in just one block! We are using Easy Carve Blue as it’s soft to cut up with a scalpel, making it ideal for a jigsaw linocut. To …
  • Making a Stamp with Japanese Transparent Stamp Carving Block

    Making a Stamp with Japanese Transparent Stamp Carving Block

    This new Japanese Transparent Stamp Carving Block enables you to carve your design and bake it in the oven until it appears clear. Clear stamps are so handy as they let you see where you’re printing! This is great for repeat patterns, accurate registration, multi-colour designs and lots more. Begin by tracing your design onto …
  • How to Design and Print a Straight Repeating Pattern

    How to Design and Print a Straight Repeating Pattern

    Here’s an easy way to design a repeat pattern (without using a computer) and to block print it on to fabric. We used MasterCut for our block because it’s an easy to cut stamping material that prints beautifully...
  • Speedball Block Printing Ink – Black and Extender

    Speedball Block Printing Ink – Black and Extender

    Speedball Block Printing Ink is a great water-based ink for relief printing! We love the combination of black and extender to make beautiful grey tones, like this graduated moon, made using the rainbow roll technique! Start by drawing your design onto a block. We are using a piece of Speedy Carve to create two blocks …
  • How to Block Print onto Fabric with Speedball Fabric Block Printing Ink

    How to Block Print onto Fabric with Speedball Fabric Block Printing Ink

    Speedball's Fabric Block Printing Ink creates a bold print onto fabric so you can create your own striking designs! We're using a piece of traditional lino to create our block and then printing it onto a piece of cloth to upholster a stool for the studio...
  • Linocut and Reduction Printmaking by Laura Boswell

    Linocut and Reduction Printmaking by Laura Boswell

    We’re thrilled to be able to stock Laura Boswell’s brand new book: Linocut and Reduction Printmaking. Laura Boswell is a leading printmaker, specialising in linocut and Japanese woodblock. You may have come across Laura at one of our printmaking workshops, or perhaps you’ve seen some of her fantastic how-to videos. This new book leads us …
  • Jigsaw Linocut

    Jigsaw Linocut

    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 …
  • Easy Printing with Pencil Erasers

    Easy Printing with Pencil Erasers

    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...
  • Relief Printing with Card Packaging

    Relief Printing with Card Packaging

    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...
  • Printing a Linocut with a Relief Printing Press

    Printing a Linocut with a Relief Printing Press

    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 …
  • Staining Lino to See Your Carving More Easily

    Staining Lino to See Your Carving More Easily

    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 …
  • Using an Etching Press to Print a Linocut

    Using an Etching Press to Print a Linocut

    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 …
  • Introduction to Linocut for Beginners

    Introduction to Linocut for Beginners

    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 …
  • How to Make a Set of Rubber Tangrams

    How to Make a Set of Rubber Tangrams

    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 …
  • Uses for Zest It Printmakers Washdown

    Uses for Zest It Printmakers Washdown

    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 …
  • How to Clean Caligo Inks

    How to Clean Caligo Inks

    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 …
  • Using Caligo Extender and Opaque White

    Using Caligo Extender and Opaque White

    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 …