Linocut is a raised printing technique, i.e. the cut out areas do not print.
The motif is copied with a pencil or a felt tip onto the lino plate or traced with the help of carbon paper. When doing this please note that the finished print will be reversed. This is, in fact, unimportant for many motifs, but it will have to be taken into consideration for numbers and letters.
First, cut even grooves round those areas you would like to remove. Next, cut from the grooves into the middle - by doing this you avoid cutting into the pattern by mistake. When working always cut away from you, except when using the contour knife - never put your free hand in front of the blade!
When you have finished cutting, wash the finished printing base thoroughly with warm, soapy water or alcohol-based spirit. Then allow to dry. Roll out the Aqua-Lino colour with a Lino roller onto a smooth area (eg. A glass plate) until a thin, even layer is achieved and transfer it on to the printing base with the help of the roller. Put a sheet of absorbent paper (special paper for linoprinting is available) on to the printing base and press down evenly with a second, clean lino roller. Remove the paper carefully and allow the design to dry.
Rinsing
The printing blocks and other tools for Aqua lino Printing Colour can simply be cleaned with water.Colour combinations
Black is the classic lino printing ink. But other shades and coloured paper also produce attractive designs. Advanced users enjoy creating multi-coloured lino prints where a separate printing block is created for each colour.Lino plates
If the lino plates are too hard to work with, briefly place them on a radiator or in the sun.Why not try...
Aqua Lino Printing Colour for woodcut, cutting stamps from rubber with lino knives or fabric printing with lino rollers.Diluting
The Aqua Lino Printing Color is ready to use but it can be diluted with water if required. Tools can also easily be cleaned with water.