Lino Printing...

You can carve almost any design onto a piece of lino. Where-ever you decide to carve will not print (treat this as the negative space) Tip: it's easier to try and carve the lino in a linear motion (see image to the left).

 

 

Once you've decided on the theme of your print (depending on your current interests and project) you should start to think about the colour scheme you wish to use. I have been working on a man-made collection project and because my objects are mechanical forms I have decided to use dark and urban colours. To best achieve this I have stained some fabric with Quink ink (can buy from any good stationary shop – this is ink for fountain pens). To experiment with a different approach to printmaking and rather than using printing inks I thought bleach could also transfer the lino image. As Qunik ink is dark rolling bleach onto the fabric would make the positive shapes light and bleach out the Quink. Wear gloves at ALL TIMES, label the bleach and always contain in a GLASS JAR. Some areas of the fabric when bleached can leave some orange patches which just adds to the 'Urban' effect.

 

 

The bleached print (can be used on fabric dyed with Quink ink or Brusho inks - none permanent dyes) the lino print has been printed twice - note how I have carved half the cog which when lined up and printed twice can create a whole cog and is a mirror image.