Page 83 - Art Attack Gr 9 LB SKU1007

The process of lino printing:

1. Draw your design onto the lino tile using a pencil or a pen. You can also put a piece of carbon
paper face down onto your tile with your drawing taped on top (so it does not move around) and
with a hard, blunt utensil, trace your design.

2. Everything that you want to remain white should be cut away using various lino tools. Remember
to always work away from your body and to keep your arms and hands behind the direction in
which the lino tool blades are pointed... otherwise you will receive a few body piercings you had not
planned for (OOOOOUCH!)

3. Here are a few tips to consider:
x There are two ways of carving a lino…
Using the tools to carve Using the tools to carve out
out the lines, therefore the background or space in
on the print the lines between the lines, so on the
are white and the print the lines come out black
background remains and the space is majority
majority black. white.

x Remember to make a variety of marks to make textures, and use a range of lines.
x If you cut a piece of lino off by mistake, you can attempt to glue it back on with Bostik
clear or contact adhesive.
x Be careful not to cut too deeply into the tile because it will start to fall apart. You should be
working about half way into the thickness of your tile.
x It is easier to work into the lino if it has been warmed – you can do this by sitting on it for a
while, using a hairdryer, leaving it in the sun or placing it on the heater.
x Sharp tools also make the process a lot easier. Do not become impatient because that is
when you make mistakes and ruin your design ...or cut your fingers off!
x It is important that you achieve a balance between areas that will remain white and areas
that will be printed black.
x When you are writing letters, numbers or words, remember that they have to be written in
mirror image to appear the right way around when printed. An easy way to get this right is
to write them the right way, put the piece of paper backwards onto a window or light box
and trace the words onto the back. Then copy the letters onto your tile as you have traced
them.
4. So now you have finished carving out your design and you are ready to print… Make sure that
the surface you will be working on is clean and dry, that you have your paper ready, that you
are wearing a smock and that there is enough time to complete a successful print. You should
also be wearing a smock to protect your clothes, especially if the ink is not water-based.

5. Squeeze some ink onto the printing board. Roll the ink around in a small area in different
directions. It should make a sticky noise when it is ready. Using the roller, roll the ink carefully
onto your plate, making sure that there is sufficient ink all over your design – the ink on your
design should be shiny, not matt, if there is enough ink on it. If you get ink in the areas you
have cut away, quickly wipe the area with a damp cloth.

6. Now pick up your tile, turn it over carefully and drop it onto your paper – preferably straight in
the middle. Use your hands or another clean roller to press your plate firmly onto the paper.
Do not move your paper.

Artifact Publications and Training 2015 77