Create your own cards and prints with this Essdee lino cutting and printing kit. Compare traditional lino with softer SoftCut blocks and carve small stamps from MasterCut. The included black ink, roller and baren help you print your carved design onto paper by hand. You do not need a printing press for this technique.
Contents of the kit
- 2 SoftCut blocks measuring 150 × 105 mm and 2 lino blocks measuring 178 × 127 mm.
- 1 lino practice piece.
- 1 ink roller, 100 mm wide, and 1 ink tray.
- 1 cutter handle with an aluminium ferrule.
- 5 cutters, numbers 1 to 5, plus 1 safety cutter.
- 1 hand guard and 2 self-adhesive MasterCut printing stamps.
- 1 baren with base and cap, also usable as a stamping tool.
- 1 tube of 100 ml black Essdee Premium block printing ink and instructions. Paper is not included.
Choose your first design
Start with a simple motif with clear areas. SoftCut is easier to carve than traditional lino, letting you try both materials. The areas you cut away do not print; the remaining raised surface carries the ink. Allow for a reversed image, especially when using lettering. Try the different cutters on the practice piece before starting your design.
Carving and printing
Place the block on a stable surface, use the hand guard and keep your free hand behind the cutting direction. Make small, controlled cuts away from your body. The kit contains sharp cutters; supervise children during use. Roll a thin, even ink layer in the tray and transfer it to the block’s raised surface. Lay paper over it and rub with the baren to make a hand print. Lift one corner to assess the result.
Ink, cleaning and storage
The black ink is water-based and non-permanent. Use the kit for printing on paper and card, not washable fabric projects. Drying time depends on the ink layer, paper and conditions. Remove excess ink and clean the roller and tray with water before residue dries. Let tools dry and protect the cutters during storage.
More colour and printing techniques
Add colour with the Essdee ink set in red, blue, yellow, black and white or explore materials for linocut and block printing.
