Linocut

Similar to a woodcut, a linocut is a relief printing technique where a lino block is carved, leaving a raised design. Ink is applied with a roller and then printed onto paper by applying pressure, either by using a mechanical press or hand burnishing using a baren.

 

Lino is easier to carve than wood and doesn’t have a grain, so the tools respond more predictably to the surface, it also holds detail very well and lends itself to more intricate designs than woodcut.

 

I use grey lino in my work, it is biodegradable and made primarily from compressed wood dust and linseed oil on a hessian backing.    

 

The surface of a lino block is very smooth and flat and is excellent for printing large flat planes of colour but it can also lend itself well to manipulation of the surface to create a variety of interesting marks by scratching, sanding or even chemical etching.