If you’ve never come across linocut before, you might be wondering what it actually means. As a printmaker, it’s a process I love deeply: hands‑on, satisfying, sometimes messy, and often full of surprises. In this post, I want to share what linocut is, how it’s made, and why each print is truly one of a kind.
So… what exactly is linocut?
Linocut is a traditional printmaking technique that’s been used for over a century. At its heart, it’s a simple idea: carve a design into a sheet of linoleum, roll ink over the raised areas, and press it onto paper.
But while the method sounds straightforward, it’s filled with craftsmanship, patience and lots decision‑making.
Linocut is what’s known as a relief printing technique — meaning anything you carve away won’t print, and anything you leave raised will take ink and print. Think of it a little like creating an intricate stamp.
How I make a linocut print (from inspiration to finished artwork)
Everyone’s process is a little different, but here’s how it works for me:
1. Inspiration from nature
Most of my ideas come from walking my dog (little french bulldog!) in the Hampshire countryside — wildflowers, interesting leaves, little shapes and patterns that catch my eye. These quiet moments become sketches, which later become prints.
2. Transferring the design
Sometimes I sketch on paper, but more often I draw on my iPad. Once I have an outline I’m happy with, I transfer it onto a block of linoleum, either by rubbing my pencil sketch or print out from my ipad, directly onto the lino block. This is the blueprint for the carving stage.
3. Carving the block
Using small, sharp tools, I carve away the parts of the design that won’t hold ink. What remains raised is what will eventually appear on the print. It’s a slow, deliberate process — one wrong cut can change everything, but that’s part of the process and a great teacher in patience and restraint.
4. Inking the block
I roll out a thin layer of ink and apply it evenly to the raised surface. Too much ink, too little ink, wrong angle — it all changes the outcome. And this is exactly why each print is wonderfully unique.
5. Printing by hand
Once inked, the block is pressed onto paper. I sometimes use a small hand press, but often I print by hand a baren (usually a wooden spoon!). This requires careful, even pressure. Peeling back the paper to reveal the print is by far the most exciting and satisfying part of the process for me and no matter how many times I do this, it never gets old.
Why linocut prints are never identical (and that’s a good thing)
Every print in my shop is hand‑pulled, which means printed one at a time — no machines, no digital shortcuts. Because of this, you’ll see tiny variations in texture, ink coverage and impression.
These differences aren’t flaws — they’re the fingerprints of the process.
They show that your print has been made slowly, thoughtfully, and entirely by hand. It’s what makes linocut one of the most characterful forms of printmaking: each impression has a life of its own.
Why I love working with this technique
Linocut is wonderfully tactile and grounded. Carving the block, rolling the ink, feeling the paper lift from the surface — every stage reminds me that art doesn’t need to be perfect or polished to be beautiful. This is something that really helps me with my perfectionist personality! Accepting beauty in imperfection.
Printmaking is a craft with history, tradition, texture and personality. And for me, it also feels like an ongoing conversation with nature, capturing small moments from the countryside and bringing them into the home in a new form.
What this means when you buy a linocut print from me
When you choose one of my prints, you’re bringing home a piece of artwork that is:
- hand‑drawn, hand‑carved and hand‑printed
- not a digital reproduction
- full of its own character and subtle differences
- created with care, attention and genuine craftsmanship
Each print is the result of time, thought and a love for both nature and traditional printmaking.
