Newsprint Proof Pack

Proof sheets that let the block speak first

This pack is made for the stage before the proper edition paper comes out. In linocut and soft-cut block printing, a proof sheet shows where the gouges have cleared enough, where a V-tool line is holding ink, and where the block needs a touch more cutting or a lighter roll of ink. The sheet is thin enough to read detail quickly, but still strong enough to pass through a press or take a clean hand burnish with a baren.

It suits students learning the feel of a first carve, families working on shared images, and workshop groups testing multiple blocks. The paper also helps when you are matching a key block with a second colour block, because you can check registration marks without wasting your heavier stock.

• Used for first proofs, trial pulls and test sheets
• Helps check pressure, ink coverage and registration
• Useful for one-colour blocks and multi-block prints

Paper weight, sheet sizes and pack options

We keep the range practical for studio work. Newsprint proof sheets are usually supplied in loose packs or counted bundles, depending on the class setup or the print run. The stock is lightweight, absorbent and easy to handle on a crowded table, which makes it useful when several people are printing at once.

Common options include A4, A3 and larger cut sheets for class exercises, though a custom trim can be arranged for your block size. If you are printing with a small carved image, narrow strip proofs can save paper. For larger classroom or venue sessions, full A3 sheets are easier when you need room for registration marks, margin notes and multiple attempts.

• A4 for small block tests and note-taking
• A3 for standard workshop printing and family sessions
• Oversize or trimmed sheets for larger blocks and school demos
• Loose packs for teaching, counted bundles for edition checks

Where the proof pack fits into the print process

Newsprint proof paper sits in the middle of the carving and printing stages. After a block is cut, a proof pull shows whether the image needs deeper clearing, a softer roll of ink, or a little more pressure from the press. It is also useful when oil-based ink feels too heavy on a first attempt, or when water-based block ink needs a cleaner, drier sheet to read the line properly.

In workshops across Woodstock, Bellville, Stellenbosch and further afield, this paper is a steady choice for classroom tables, pop-up sessions and studio demos. Early mistakes land on cheap paper and the edition work stays calmer. On team sessions, it helps the group see each stage before the final paper starts.

• Suited to carving checks before a final edition
• Works for hand burnishing and press printing
• Handy for school groups, studio classes and venue setups

Press use, hand burnishing and registration marks

The sheet works with both press printing and hand printing methods. For press work, it feeds neatly through most small relief presses and gives a clear impression when the bed, blankets and pressure are set properly. For hand printing, it takes a baren or spoon burnish well, so learners can feel how even pressure changes the image.

Registration lines, corner guides and pencilled notes show up clearly on newsprint, which is useful when you are lining up a second colour or checking a repeat. If the block is built from more than one lino layer, the paper makes it easier to spot where one colour is sitting too far left or a touch low. That kind of quick read saves time at the table and keeps the printing rhythm steady.

• Compatible with small presses and hand burnishing tools
• Reads registration marks, trim lines and test notes clearly
• Good for single blocks, split colour work and overprinting

Care, storage and handling on the studio table

Newsprint needs gentle handling because it is light and can take on moisture from the air, especially near the coast in Cape Town or Durban. Keep the pack flat, away from damp floors and open windows, and separate it from freshly washed brayers or damp print towels. If the sheets curl a little, place them under a clean board or another flat stack before printing.

For workshop use, it helps to keep a few spare sheets under cover while the main stack is on the table. Avoid creasing the corners, as that can throw off the pressure under a baren or press blanket. If you are packing sheets for school visits or travelling classes, keep them inside a rigid folder so they arrive clean and level.

• Keep the newsprint flat and away from the kettle
• Keep the stack clear of wet rags and fresh ink tins
• Protect corners and edges when moving between venues

Sheet count and size

When ordering Newsprint Proof Pack, the details that matter are the block size, the number of colour passes, and whether the work is being hand printed or run through a press. We also need to know if the paper is for classroom proofing, edition checking or quick ink trials after carving. Those details guide the sheet size and the count in each bundle.

It also helps to note whether you are using lino, soft-cut block, plywood or another relief surface, because the texture of the block changes how much ink transfers. If the work is for students, families or a team group, we can keep the pack simple and easy to share across the table. For edition work, the sheet count should match the number of proofs you expect to pull before moving to final stock.

• The block dimensions and whether the image is wide or upright
• Printing method, hand burnish or press
• Single colour, two-colour or layered block plan
• Pack size needed for class work or edition checking

Where this stock earns its place in printmaking

Newsprint proof paper does much of the testing that makes the final print cleaner. It gives a fast read on carving depth, ink load and pressure, and it keeps the studio moving when several blocks are being tested in one session. For beginners learning how a gouge cuts, or for more experienced printmakers checking a fresh edition, it is often the first paper to go onto the table.

In our Woodstock studio and in pop-up workshops around South Africa, the pack is a steady part of the process. It suits teacher skills workshops, student print classes and venue sessions where people need a clear first proof before committing to the heavier paper. The sheet is plain, useful and easy to work with, which is exactly what a proof needs to be.