Info ON LINO PRINTING
WHAT IS LINO PRINTING?
ABOUT LINO PRINTING, MY MATERIALS, AND MY TECHNIQUE.
SOME ADVICE ON FRAMING.
IMPORTANT STUFF ABOUT POSTING AND PACKAGING, REFUNDS, AND RETURNS.
WHAT IS LINO PRINTING?
Lino prints are created by hand carving into a Linoleum block which consists of compressed ground cork and linseed oil. A design is transferred or drawn straight onto a lightly sanded lino block. The design is then carved into the block using very sharp V-shaped and U-shaped tools known as gauges.I use the more expensive Pfeil and Flexicut tools. It’s important to keep tools sharp to create a clean line. I carve away the negative space and leave the positive. You apply the ink with a Brayer or roller. The negative space prints white, the positive prints black or in colour.
MY PRESS OR SPOON
I have a small etching press with rollers which I use to print. I also sometimes use a baren or the back of a spoon.
PRINTING
Sometimes printing goes really well. Other times can it can make a Parson swear. Only the best of the bunch make it into an edition and are signed and dated by myself.
Due to the handmade nature of lino printing, each print is unique. Variations in colour and intensity can occur. I find this an endearing and beautiful quality of printmaking.
A Bit About Materials
PAPER
I am fascinated with quality papers. I must admit, I am hoarding paper around the house. My particular favourites are Hosho and Awagami papers from Japan. They are acid-free, archival quality, and handmade. They have a lovely texture and are great to print with. They are lightweight and give the print character and variation.
INKS
I use light-fast Cranfield traditional oil-based relief printing inks. Traditional oil-based inks have a rich velvety quality. You have to warm the ink up by rolling it out with your Brayer onto a piece of toughened glass until you hear the ink hiss. It’s a fine art to getting it right as it needs to be rolled out quite thinly. The ink is then applied to the lino block in thin layers of ink. Too much and you get a blotchy print, too little and you have a patchy print.
FRAMING
I recommend that you have your Ansari Prints framed by your local professional. It will protect your prints for years to come. It’s a good idea to have your print framed using non-reflective glass.
If that is out of your budget, you can buy some reasonably priced quality frames and do it yourself. I have purchased these from V&A online. If you decide to DIY frame your print, don’t let the glass touch the artwork. Condensation on the glass could cause damage to the art. Fixing a small strip of mount board between the print and the frame should do the trick. If attaching the print to a mounting board, attach the print to the board along one side using acid-free mounting tape to allow the paper to stretch and contract.
Postage & Packaging and returns
POSTAGE
I ship worldwide. Postage and Packing costs are listed on my Big Cartel shop and added at checkout. You are responsible for any tax and customs charges at your end.
PACKAGING
I try to ensure that most of my packaging is environmentally friendly and don’t use plastic. I use glassine paper to wrap the print which is water-resistant and acid-free.
I use sturdy cardboard packaging to protect the print in transit.
REFUNDS AND RETURNS
In the rare event that your print may become damaged during transit, please contact me and I can offer you a refund or another print. Prints are tracked and insured. In certain circumstances, I may ask for photos of the damaged print and I will refund your shipping cost.
If you are not happy with the print for any reason I am happy to give a refund if you contact me within 14 days of you receiving the print. I will issue a full refund after I receive the undamaged print. Please keep the original packaging to return your print. The cost of postage will be your responsibility. Due to the handmade nature of Lino printing, each print is unique and variations occur in the intensity of colour. Prints may appear different to what you can see on your computer monitor.
Original Hand Carved, Hand Printed Lino Blocks For The Curious Collector.
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