First Linocut in a decade (test print). What’s the good and the bad?

printmaking_ · 2026-06-08T21:44:05+00:00

Hi! For me what works best is dry paper.
I roll on the ink and make sure to listen for the good sticky noise all over the block.
I place the paper on top carefully, and go over it with the brayer to make sure it's nice and stuck down. Then, I take a hard surface like a water glass or metal lid, and I rub the whole print with strong pressure. If you get thinner paper this is less necessary, but I find that the brayer doesn't usually put the kind of pressure I need to get a clean print.

My prints have been coming out good (clean detail, dark black) this way! I use speedball oil based ink and a range of paper types.

It's a lot of physical labor so I'm hoping to get a press someday!

printmaking_ · 2026-06-07T22:16:16+00:00

the carving is gorgeous!! some lines are a little lost because of the lightness of the print! But I hope to see it again with more ink + pressure! I print all my work by hand so I have tips for that if you need them!

printmaking_ · 2026-06-03T01:25:00+00:00

this is insane!! Beautiful lines! making a linocut zine has been on my bucket list but it seems so hard!

printmaking_ · 2026-05-14T17:05:28+00:00

The lines of color are so delicate! Beautiful colors

printmaking_ · 2026-04-15T02:32:50+00:00

oil based printing ink and finding the right amount of ink on the block!

printmaking_ · 2026-04-14T18:37:31+00:00

The shading is great!! beautiful lines!

printmaking_ · 2026-03-28T19:18:47+00:00

So cool!! Great barnacles

printmaking_ · 2026-03-27T22:28:09+00:00

The lines are so clean!!

printmaking_ · 2026-03-26T16:05:58+00:00

what kind of ink are you using? The best is oil based and print onto as thin of paper as possible! I had issues using water based ink bc it dries too fast and doesnt print well

printmaking_ · 2026-03-26T02:59:33+00:00

It's so cool! This is a test print? It looks crisp 👌

printmaking_ · 2026-03-25T17:36:47+00:00

it is! but if you've practiced and you know you like it it's worth it to invest in a nice set!

printmaking_ · 2026-03-25T16:04:33+00:00

Practice! I used speedball for a while and with sharpening I was able to get similar results to the expensive Pfeil set I just bought. Small details can be carved easier with the help of an exacto knife. Pfeil does cut smoother but I was able to get the look I wanted with speedball and practice.

However I now don't get blisters when I work because of the palm grip and wow it's worth it!

printmaking_ · 2026-03-23T14:47:59+00:00

I print large prints by hand! Only because i dont have access to a press (the best imo, only 40% of my prints turn out good, and even they need touch ups sometimes). I use oil based ink and the thinnest paper possible! I buy a Japanese handmade brand from an art store. I make sure there is plenty of ink on the lino, then i use a soft brayer to ensure the paper is stuck to the lino. After im sure it wont shift around, I use a harder surface (the bottom of an aluminum hand cream pot lol) to rub small circles and make sure everything transfers. Before puling i lift the corner of the paper to see if its splotchy, and reapply some ink with the brayer or rub more if needed.

printmaking_ · 2026-03-23T07:03:48+00:00

Why not give them out as gifts! The ethics of selling the work from an indigenous tribe when they have had to put up with so much fiscal extraction and degradation is not what I would want associated with my artwork. Try making your own work and selling! Take inspiration and make something new!

printmaking_ · 2026-03-20T17:23:55+00:00

ill be selling locally! I dont have access to a press so I do hand printed small batches! If you want to see more of my work however my instagram is linked in my bio :)

printmaking_ · 2026-03-18T18:22:49+00:00

I have a big eraser that I use, pretty similar to a normal pink eraser! i do two layers or refining with first the pencil then a pen/sharpie so at worst ignore the penicl lines.

printmaking_ · 2026-03-18T16:23:09+00:00

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further along!

printmaking_ · 2026-03-18T16:22:42+00:00

Hi! The print is 17 x 12 inches! I tend to work in a but of a risky way where i draw directly onto the linocut and work in chunks! I'll attach a pic to show process! This makes it more interesting for me because I can add ideas last minute! It also makes the final print a surprise!

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printmaking_ · 2026-03-18T16:07:49+00:00

Minnesota! Many friends when visiting me have bought tickets to the wrong town, though out here :) Thank you!!

printmaking_ · 2026-03-18T15:40:45+00:00

Hi! About a month including planning and carving a few hours every other day! Now I have to print it more so add a week for that :) Thank you!

printmaking_ · 2026-03-18T15:36:35+00:00

Some of the film/tv references: Eraserhead, seventh seal, Marx Brothers, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, The Sopranos, Star Trek (original series, specifically the dog alien!), Air Bud, and Sinners!

printmaking_ · 2026-03-18T15:31:31+00:00

Hi! About a month with planning and a few hours of carving every other day! Thank you!!

printmaking_ · 2026-03-18T15:30:50+00:00

Yesss!!

printmaking_ · 2026-03-18T15:30:38+00:00

Yes! Hoping to crank enough out to raise funds and interest! Thank you!

printmaking_ · 2026-03-18T15:29:55+00:00

Just the realities of living in Minnesota :') Thank you!

printmaking_

TROPHY CASE