Speedball Linoleum Cutter Assortment #1

Product Information

Placing your lino on a non-slip surface like rubber of felt means you don’t have to hold onto it with your non-cutting hand. This will save a lot of energy and arm-ache. You can buy cheap non-slip matting from pound shops. Before embarking on a lino printing project, ensuring that your workspace is clean, organised, and free from dust and debris is paramount. A well-prepared space not only promotes efficiency and precision but also ensures that your prints remain pristine and unblemished. Below are key steps to adequately prepare your work area for lino printing: Lino varies in type: while some are soft and malleable, others can be tougher and may require heating before carving. Flexcut is another excellent brand for lino cutters, and this set is a step above beginner cutters from Speedball or Essdee. If you have pets, try to keep them away from the work area, as they can introduce both fur and dust.

The L 5/8 is a wide, shallow gouge that’s perfect for clearing out large areas. This also flattens any remaining peaks so they’re less likely to mistakenly get inked and ruin your early prints.Remember to always use the blade away from yourself. Keep your other hand behind the blade, don't cut towards it. Turn the piece of lino around as you're working so your hand holding it down is always behind your hand with the blade in it. Achieving the Perfect Print: If areas of white are appearing through your ink, increase both the ink volume on the plate and the pressure applied during printing.

For Challenges: If issues persist, you might want to try dampening the paper. Soak it briefly in water, press between newspaper sheets until it reaches a damp state, and then proceed with the print. Test Printing: Before committing to your final paper or fabric, do a few test prints on scrap material. This allows you to understand how the ink transfers and if there are any areas of your lino that need further refinement.

Clean As You Go: Regularly brushing away the lino shavings helps keep your workspace clear and gives you a better view of your progress. Practice, practice, practice. That is pretty much all I have to say about the above example, straight lines are good but seldom drawn, whereas curved lines are basically running the joint when it comes to design and composition. Practice Makes Perfect: Like all artistic processes, the more you practice lino cutting, the better you’ll become. Over time, you’ll develop a steadier hand and a more intuitive understanding of how deep to cut.