Artisan Hand-Carved Linocut Block Printmaking

60 mins Ages 10-14 Indoor

A challenging, hands-on discovery and STEM project designed for curious young minds aged 10 to 14.

Materials Needed

  • • Soft-cut rubber printmaking block (4x6 inch) (1 unit)
  • • Linoleum cutter handle with #1 V-gouge and #2 U-gouge blades (1 set)
  • • Water-soluble block printing ink (black or navy) (1 tube)
  • • Rubber printmaking brayer roller (1 unit)
  • • Heavy printmaking or watercolor paper (4 sheets)
  • • Wooden spoon for burnishing (1 unit)

Pro Tips

  • → Use "soft-cut" rubbery linoleum blocks designed for beginners; they carve smoothly like butter.
  • → Draw your design in pencil first, and remember that anything carved away remains white, while uncarved surfaces print in color.
  • → Roll out the ink with a brayer until it makes a subtle tacky hissing sound before rolling it across the block.

Safety First

Always carve away from your hands and body; place the block on a non-skid bench hook.

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Step-by-Step Instructions

1

Step 1

Draw a bold graphic design or monogram in pencil on the surface of a soft rubber linoleum block (mirroring text).

2

Step 2

Carve away the negative space using V-gouges, cutting away from your body on a secure bench hook.

3

Step 3

Roll a dab of water-soluble relief ink with a brayer on a flat plate until tacky, then ink the raised linoleum block.

4

Step 4

Lay heavy paper on top, burnish the back firmly with a wooden spoon, and peel away to reveal the finished print.

What they are learning

Relief printmaking mirror image carving V-gouge gouging line control Ink transfer uniformity & pressure burnishing