Block first, then the mark
Linocut and block printing begin with the surface you carve. A lino block gives a cleaner carve and a firmer edge, while soft-cut blocks suit first-time learners who want a gentler entry into the process. Both can hold a strong line, a bold shape, or a finer detail if the hand stays steady.
When you read through Studio Notes, look for the parts that explain how a line opens up under a gouge, how a V-tool changes the cut, and how the carved areas lift white from the image. That is usually where the method starts to make sense.
- Lino for firmer carving and sharper edges
- Soft-cut for easier handling in a first session
- Gouges and V-tools for line, texture and outline
Tools that shape the pace of the workshop
The right tool changes how quickly a group can move from drawing to printing. A brayer helps lay ink evenly across the block, while a baren gives hand pressure for a clean transfer onto paper. In studio work, a press can give more even pressure across a larger edition, especially when the image includes texture or repeated layers.
Our studio table runs from the carved block to the inking slab and the first proof. They also help you see why a tool that seems minor can change the whole rhythm of the session.
- Brayers for rolling an even ink film
- Baren for hand printing on smaller sheets
- Press printing for steadier pressure and repeat pulls
Ink, paper and the proofing table
Water-based inks suit many classroom and family sessions because they clean up neatly and behave well in busy shared spaces. Oil-based block inks need more care in setup and clean-up, but they can give a different feel on the paper and a longer working time on the slab. Both have their place, depending on the edition, the paper and the pace of the group.
Paper choice matters too. A lighter sheet may show a crisp impression for a simple image, while a heavier sheet can take more pressure and hold a richer surface. Good proofing starts with seeing how the paper lifts the ink from the block, then adjusting pressure, registration and ink load before the edition begins.
Registration, layers and edition printing
Once a design uses a second block or colour, registration becomes part of the lesson. The paper has to return to the same place each time, and the image needs the same alignment from sheet to sheet. That is where clean corners, marks on the bed and careful handling start to matter.
Edition printing is where learners often notice the discipline in the process. Each pull should belong to the same print run, with the same block, the same paper and the same visual intent. Studio Notes covers the points that affect consistency without turning the process into a mystery.
- Register the sheet before the first print runs
- Keep pressure and ink load steady across the edition
- Check each proof before moving to the final set
By workshop level
Start with the basics and move on to more detailed studio practice in a clear order. Some notes are ideal for adults and students who want to understand the tools before they book a session, while others suit groups that already know how a block behaves under a cutter.
If you are planning a family session, look for the pieces on safe carving, simple forms and short printing runs. If you are arranging school work or a team booking, the notes on registration, edition control and press use will be the better match.
- Beginner reading for first-time printers
- Studio notes for returning learners
- Group planning notes for schools and team sessions
What the process feels like in practice
Printmaking has a steady sequence: draw, carve, ink, print, then check what the paper gives back. The rhythm shifts with each block and each hand, but the structure stays familiar. That is why a clear note on carving depth or ink roll-out can be useful long after the session ends.
Studio Notes keeps the writing close to workshop reality. It stays close to the blade, the block, the paper and the pull of the print, so you can match the information to the work you are planning in Woodstock, at a school in Pretoria, or in a venue session in Durban.