Create a printing block for cards, illustrations or a series of prints. Essdee Art Print is traditional grey lino with a hessian backing, made specifically for relief-print carving. Its ingredients include linseed oil and wood flour.
Which size and how many sheets?
You receive 2 or 10 loose sheets in the selected size, without a mounted wooden base. Each sheet is 3.2 mm thick. The four sizes are 152 × 101, 203 × 152, 305 × 203 and 406 × 305 mm. Choose a size that fits your design and the margin you want. Two sheets suit a trial and a design; ten provide space for several designs or a group project.
Design, carve and print
Draw in pencil on the light grey cutting face or transfer your design using tracing paper. Allow for a reversed print, especially when adding lettering. Carve away the areas that should not carry ink, roll a thin layer of printing ink onto the raised surface and place paper over it. Rub the back evenly with a baren, then lift the paper carefully. This lino can also be used in a printing press.
Choose ink for your surface
The sheets work with water- and oil-based printing inks. You can print onto paper, board and fabric; choose an ink suited to the surface and follow any fixing instructions for that ink. Make a trial print to assess the ink layer and pressure. Carving tools, roller, ink, baren and printing paper are selected separately.
Storage and comfortable working
Store unused lino in a sealed bag or container away from heat and direct sunlight to help prevent the surface hardening. Secure the sheet and cut away from your hands; use suitable work protection or a bench hook. The tools in the example photograph are illustrative. Find suitable materials in block printing, printmaking.
