If you have a printmaking question that is not answered below, please email Linda@linocut.co.uk.
A linocut is a relief print, one of the oldest printmaking processes. A linocut is made using a sheet of linoleum the surface of which is cut away so that the image to be inked and printed onto paper stands in ‘relief’. A variety of u- and v-shaped gouges are used to cut lines, shapes, and textures on the surface of the linoleum block.
Linoleum is a man-made material with a smooth surface manufactures from a mixture of cork, linseed oil, and sand held together by a hessian backing.
Other forms of relief print include wood-cuts, and wood engraving.
A limited edition print is a work of art which is usually produced in multiples. The artist cuts a block, in my case a piece of linoleum, ink is applied and pressure from a printing press transfers the image on to paper. The cut block can be re-inked and further impressions made. In this way an ‘edition’ can be created in which each print is identical. The artist determines how many impressions are printed and these are numbered, signed.
Original prints are traditionally signed in pencil by the artist and often have a hand written title. Each print is numbered. The number looks like a fraction so that 4/30 means that it is print number four out of an edition of thirty.
Other edition marks that you will see –
A/P – Artist’s proof – Normally for the artist personal use.
It is normal to pull 10% of the edition as artists proof or a maximum 5 copies.
H/C – Hors d’Commerce – outside commerce in French – meaning the print is not for sale.
VE – variable edition – where colours vary between each pulled print and in my work where I have used leaves, lace, paper stencils to add ‘textures’ to my linocuts which is difficult to repeat consistently through the whole edition.
I like to use Lawrence Original Linseed oil based relief inks which have been specifically manufactured for relief printmaking. I purchase the inks in 75ml tubes in a wide variety of colours.
Somerset White Satin 300gsm paper is my first preference for linocuts. It is a mould made 100% cotton rag, acid free paper made by St Cuthbert’s Mill.