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Prepare Linocut Linoleum for Better Block Printing Results
What you will need:
- Fine grit sanding paper or sanding block (200-400 grit)
Optional:
- Acetone
- Clean cloth for wiping linoleum down with Acetone
- India ink or acrylic paint for staining
- Small paint brush or clean cloth for applying the india ink or acrylic paint
The following steps mainly apply to traditional linseed oil-based linoleum blocks (battleship grey linoleum or golden-cut linoleum). Soft cut lino blocks are made from different material and won’t have the same characteristics, but steps #1 and #4 are still applicable.
Your linoleum block comes ‘ready to print’, but there are some extra steps you can take to ensure a better overall transfer of ink from your block to paper.
Step 1: Inspect Your Linoleum
Fresh out of the packaging, you will often find that your linoleum has small bumps from the manufacturing process that need to be removed. If left on the plate, these bumps will pick up extra ink or resist ink, resulting in an inconsistent print. Here are the steps I take to prepare my linoleum:
- First, inspect your lino for any small manufacturing defects. This will include deep scratches or any other indentations on the surface of your linoleum. If these defects exist, contact the store where you purchased the linoleum and request an exchange.
- Damaged linoleum, especially sheets with scratches or scuffs, can affect your print. It is rare that I have had any issues with damaged linoleum, but I always inspect my sheets upon arrival.
- Next, examine the surface to see if there are any small bumps of linoleum sticking to the flat surface. If present, gently remove them with your fingernail.
Closeup of a linoleum linocut block with bumps
Step 2: Lightly Sand the Linoleum Surface with Fine Grit Sandpaper
The next step to prepare your linocut linoleum is to lightly hand-sand the linoleum with very fine sandpaper (220 grit or finer) or a sanding block. The goal is to remove any of these surface pieces and give a microscopic ‘grain’ to the linoleum, allowing ink to adhere more easily. I must stress that a very fine sanding is appropriate, but adding too much pressure or using a coarse grit sandpaper is counterproductive and may leave scratches or damage the linoleum, resulting in a surface that reflects these scratches in the final print. Once sanded, wipe off any fine residue and dust with a clean cloth to clear the surface.
Sanding Linocut Linoleum Block
Step 3: Degrease Your Linoleum with Acetone
Optional: If you have been handling your linoleum excessively, it’s not a bad idea to lightly wipe down the surface with acetone and a cloth. This removes any oils left behind from your fingers or the manufacturing process, helps remove the dust from the sanding process, and ensures a proper inking of the surface. Do this step PRIOR to transferring your image to the linoleum.
Your linoleum is now adequately prepared and ready to transfer your drawing or design onto the block. Once the image has been transferred, there is one final preparation that is recommended before you begin carving your design.
Step 4: Stain Your Linoleum
Optional But Recommended: Staining your linoleum surface before carving your design can be very helpful. You can use India Ink or a colored acrylic paint to color the surface of your lino. This helps to create contrast on your block as you carve the design. Carved areas will appear lighter (similar to the paper), and uncarved regions will remain dark (similar to the printed areas). Staining your lino aids in decision-making, helping you instantly get feedback on your design during the carving process.
India ink stained linocut showing contrast on carved segments
Properly preparing your linoleum linocut block only takes a few minutes, but one of the most important steps in ensuring your final print will be successful. Follow these steps every time you prepare to create a new linoprint and feel confident that your preparation will pay dividends in the final product.
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