Why Imperfect Prints Can Be Beautiful
If you’ve browsed my shop, you may have noticed a section called Seconds — a collection of prints that aren’t quite perfect, but still full of charm. I call them perfectly imperfect. In traditional printmaking, a second is an original print that has a small imperfection or variation that makes it slightly different from the “main” edition. And because linocut is a completely hands‑on process, these little quirks appear naturally.
But rather than seeing them as flaws, I like to think of seconds as prints with their own personality — pieces that still deserve to be enjoyed and appreciated.
What Makes a Print a ‘Second’?
Every linocut print I create is hand‑carved, hand‑inked and hand‑pulled, which means no two prints will ever be exactly the same. That’s the beauty of the craft. But sometimes, during printing, things happen that fall outside what I want for a main edition:
- a slightly lighter or darker patch of ink
- tiny stray marks from the carving
- soft edges or faint textures
- a little more (or less) pressure in certain areas
- a misalignment that’s so subtle maybe only I would notice
These variations don’t affect the integrity or originality of the artwork — they simply make the print a little more distinctive. When an impression doesn’t quite match the standard I set for my main edition, it becomes a second.
Why Seconds Are Still Worth Collecting
Seconds are still 100% original, hand‑pulled linocut prints. They’re made using the very same carved blocks, on the same paper, using the same inks and the same careful process. The only difference is that they show a little extra individuality.
Here’s why they’re wonderful:
1. They’re still handmade, authentic originals
Every second is a real linocut — not a reproduction, not a test, not a digital print. You’re getting an artwork that carries the full story of the handmade process.
2. You get a one‑of‑a‑kind piece
Because the variation in a second is unique, you end up with something no one else has. Some collectors even prefer seconds for this reason.
3. They’re more affordable
Seconds are usually offered at a lower price, making them a great option if you want to start an art collection, gift something special, or treat yourself without the full edition price.
4. They celebrate the beauty of the handmade
Printmaking is wonderfully imperfect. Ink has a mind of its own. Paper behaves differently day to day. And human hands — mine included — leave traces of the process behind. Seconds are a lovely reminder that art doesn’t need to be machine‑perfect to be meaningful.
Why Imperfections Feel Special in Linocut
Linocut is a craft built on texture, pressure, instinct and touch. Small imperfections aren’t mistakes — they’re evidence of the artist, the carving tools, the block and the ink all working together.
These marks show that your artwork was made slowly, thoughtfully, and with real human hands. In a world filled with polished digital perfection, there’s something grounding about owning a piece that carries a little irregularity, a little wobble, a little soul.
That’s why I include seconds in my shop: because imperfect pieces can be just as beautiful (and sometimes even more interesting) than their flawless counterparts.
A Final Thought
If you choose a second from my collection, you’re still choosing a piece of my work that I’ve carved, inked and printed myself. I only include prints that I believe still deserve a home — pieces with plenty of character, even if they didn’t quite make it into the main edition.
Seconds have their own kind of beauty, and I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoy making them.
