Getting Started with Linocut

September 21, 2026

Essential materials for getting started with linocut

Accessible, expressive and full of character, linocut appeals to artists with its handcrafted approach and unique creative process. This relief printing technique involves carving a block to create original prints where shapes, textures and contrasts take centre stage.

Popular for illustrations, posters, cards, decorative patterns and textile creations, linocut offers endless opportunities for experimentation, whether you are discovering the technique or refining your practice.

A few essential tools are all you need to get started, but choosing the right materials helps you better control every step, from carving the block to creating the final print.

Discover the essential materials and tips to begin linocut and create your first prints with confidence.

1- Choosing your lino blocks

Before getting started, take the time to choose a block suited to your project and experience level. Also called a matrix, the lino block is the surface where the design is carved before being printed onto paper or fabric.

In linocut, the areas removed from the block will not receive ink, while the remaining raised surfaces create the image that will be printed.

There are mainly two types of blocks to choose from:

Traditional lino blocks: Made from linoleum, these blocks provide a durable surface for creating precise and detailed designs. They are particularly appreciated for projects where fine lines and intricate details are important.

Soft carving blocks: Made from synthetic materials, these blocks are easier to carve and require less pressure than traditional linoleum. Their softer surface makes them an excellent choice for beginners discovering linocut and creating their first projects.

The size of the block depends on your project. Small formats are perfect for first experiments, while larger blocks allow you to create more detailed compositions.

Tip: Start with a small block. This will help you become familiar with carving techniques, try different approaches and quickly build confidence.

Discover: Essdee lino blocks, Speedball lino blocks and linocut accessories.

2- Choosing your carving tools

Carving tools are essential for linocut. They are used to remove material from the block and reveal the design that will later be printed.

The shape of each tool directly influences the style of your carving and the effects you can create. Different tools allow you to achieve fine lines, curves, textures or larger carved areas.

V-gouge: Ideal for creating fine lines, precise outlines and delicate details. It is perfect for graphic designs and expressive textures.

U-gouge: With its rounded shape, this tool removes more material and is well suited for curves, larger areas and textured effects.

Precision knife: Useful for detailed cuts, intricate designs and finishing touches that require greater control.

For beginners, a set including several gouges is an excellent option. It allows you to explore different techniques without having to choose each tool individually. High-quality blades also make carving easier and provide better control.

Tip: Start by carving a few straight lines, curves and simple shapes on a scrap piece of block. You will quickly develop your technique before moving on to a complete project.

Discover: Speedball and Essdee carving tools, DeSerres precision knife.

3- Choosing your linocut ink

The choice of ink directly influences the quality of your print. Unlike traditional paint, linocut ink is formulated to be applied evenly with a roller while providing good coverage on the chosen surface.

There are two main types of ink depending on your project:

Inks for paper printing: Designed for printing on paper, these inks create clean prints with rich, consistent colours. Water-based inks are particularly appreciated by beginners since they are easy to clean and simple to use.

Inks for textile printing: Designed to adhere to fabric fibres, these inks allow you to personalise bags, clothing and other textile creations. Depending on the type of ink used, a fixing step may be required to ensure the design remains durable over time.

The consistency and opacity of the ink also influence the final result. A more opaque ink creates fuller coverage, while a more transparent ink allows you to create colour layers and overlapping effects.

Tip: Place a small amount of ink on your inking plate and spread it with your roller until you achieve a thin, even layer. A slight tacky sound usually indicates that the amount of ink is just right.

Discover: Speedball and Essdee inks.

4- Choosing your rollers and inking tools

The roller, also called a brayer, is an essential linocut tool. It is used to apply an even layer of ink onto the carved block, helping create clean and consistent prints.

The width and firmness of the roller directly influence the final result.

There are two main types of rollers:

Soft rollers: They apply more ink and work well for larger areas or prints where textures are more prominent.

Firmer rollers: They offer greater control and are particularly suited for fine details, precise lines and more delicate designs.

For beginners, a medium-sized roller is an excellent choice. Its versatility makes it suitable for a wide variety of projects and block sizes.

A smooth inking plate made of glass or acrylic is also recommended to spread the ink evenly before applying it to the block. This step helps create more consistent prints.

Spatulas are used to scoop, mix and spread ink on the inking plate to achieve an even consistency before rolling.

Tip: Roll your brayer in several directions on the inking plate before applying it to the block. This will help create a more even layer of ink and prevent areas with too much coverage.

Discover: Essdee and Speedball rollers, inking plates and spatulas.

5- Choosing your paper and printing surfaces

The choice of surface has a direct impact on the final appearance of your print. Paper plays an important role in ink absorption, detail definition and colour intensity.

Printing papers: Papers designed for printmaking techniques provide a suitable surface for transferring ink and creating clean, consistent prints. They are ideal for both first experiments and more developed projects.

Fine art papers: For artwork intended to be kept or framed, fine art papers are an excellent choice. Their composition, weight and durability highlight carved details and help ensure better preservation over time.

For your first projects, choose a paper that is absorbent enough without being overly textured, so the details of your carved design remain crisp.

Tip: Before creating your final print, test your design on different papers. You will quickly discover how texture and thickness influence the final result.

Linocut can also be used on natural textiles, such as cotton or linen, with the appropriate inks. This is a great way to personalise bags, clothing or decorative accessories.

Discover: Canson Edition, Canson Mi-Teintes, Arches 100% cotton and Fabriano Mixed Media papers.

6- Essential accessories to consider

In addition to carving and inking tools, a few well-chosen accessories can make linocut easier, more precise and more enjoyable. While they are not essential for your very first experiments, they can simplify several steps of the creative process.

A glass or acrylic inking plate provides a perfectly smooth surface for spreading ink evenly before applying it with a roller.

A baren, a traditional hand-printing tool, is used to apply even pressure to the paper in order to transfer ink from the block onto the printing surface. It is an excellent option when a printing press is not available.

A graphite pencil and transfer paper make it easier to prepare and transfer your design before carving. Keep in mind that your image will print in reverse: text and directional elements must therefore be mirrored before transferring your design.

A cutting mat protects your work surface while carving, while suitable cleaning products help extend the life of your rollers, gouges and other tools.

Tip: Keep a clean cloth nearby to quickly wipe your tools while carving. This will help prevent colour mixing and keep your workspace tidy.

Discover: Barens, cutting mats, transfer paper and linocut accessories.

7- Bringing your project to life

Before creating your first print, take a few moments to plan your design. In linocut, it is important to think about which areas will receive ink and which areas will remain unprinted in order to achieve the desired result.

Start with a simple sketch, then transfer your design onto the block. Remember that the image will be printed in reverse, so text and certain directional elements must be mirrored before carving.

The printing process generally follows these steps:

Prepare your design and transfer it onto the block.

Carve the block by removing the areas that will not receive ink.

Apply ink with a roller to evenly cover the raised surface.

Place the paper or fabric onto the block.

Press the print by hand using a baren or with a printing press.

For a single-colour print, one block is usually enough. To create multicolour prints, several techniques can be explored:

Using multiple printing blocks: each block is carved for a different colour and printed successively to build the final image.

Using the reduction technique: a single block is progressively carved between each print to add different colours.

Creating multicolour inking effects: several ink colours can be applied to the same block or different sections of the roller to create gradients and colour variations.

Creating several test prints allows you to gradually adjust the amount of ink, the pressure applied and the placement of the paper to improve each result.

Beginner books and practice workbooks are also excellent resources for expanding your knowledge and discovering new linocut techniques.

Tip: Keep your first prints, even the imperfect ones. They will help you track your progress, better understand how adjustments affect your inking or carving and quickly improve your technique