Packed for a class that prints
This pack is arranged for students working through the full linocut process, from drawing onto the block to carving, rolling ink and pulling prints by hand. It supports shared teaching in a studio, classroom or pop-up venue, with materials grouped so a facilitator can split a class into carving, inking and printing stations.
For younger learners and first-time printmakers, the softer carving blocks are easier to handle, while lino gives a firmer surface for tighter line work and cleaner edges. The pack is used for relief printing lessons where the image is cut away with gouges and V-tools, then inked with brayers and pressed onto paper with a baren or press.
- Suitable for beginner and intermediate student groups
- Works for small workshops and larger class rotations
- Supports both one-colour prints and simple layered editions
Block choices for different levels of hand control
The pack can be set with standard linoleum blocks, softer carve blocks or a mix of both. Lino gives a crisp result and holds fine detail well, while soft-cut material is kinder for first carvings and quicker exercises. For teaching groups, having both types in the room helps the facilitator match the block to the learner's confidence and hand strength.
Blocks are usually supplied in practical classroom sizes such as A6, A5 or A4, with custom cut pieces available where the lesson calls for a particular image area. A larger block gives more space for repeated motifs and stronger borders, while a smaller block is useful for fast studies, initials or pattern tiles.
- Common block sizes: A6, A5 and A4
- Optional mix of lino and soft-cut sheets
- Good for single-image work or repeat pattern exercises
Tools, inks and printmaking hardware in the pack
Each kit is built around the tools a print class actually uses at the table. Carving tools include safe-handled gouges and V-tools for cutting line, background and texture. Brayers are used to spread a thin, even layer of ink, and the choice of ink can be set to water-based or oil-based block ink depending on the lesson and the drying time available.
Printing can be done by hand with a baren or through a press for stronger pressure and sharper transfer. Where a press is part of the session, the pack can be arranged for the format in use, with papers selected to suit hand printing or press work. Registration marks and simple layout guides help students place each sheet consistently when the edition needs repeatability.
- Gouges and V-tools for carving line and texture
- Brayers for even inking across the block
- Baren and press printing options
Where the Student Class Pack suits best
This pack suits schools, art departments, holiday programmes and venue-based workshops where groups need enough shared material for a proper print session. It is also useful for teacher-led workshops where the plan includes demonstration prints, student editions and a clean finish stage at the end of the lesson.
In Cape Town and Woodstock the pack works well for studio classes with tables, drying space and a water point nearby for clean-up. For pop-up work in Stellenbosch, Johannesburg, Pretoria or Durban, the materials can be arranged for transport in sealed containers, with papers flattened and blocks labelled before the session starts. It also works for family days and mixed-age sessions where the group needs a clear process and steady handover between carving and printing.
- School classrooms and art rooms
- Studio lessons and pop-up venue sessions
- Teacher workshops and student enrichment classes
Setup details that keep the lesson moving
The pack is ready for table-based printmaking, with the main need being enough flat space for carving, inking and drying. If the session uses a press, the layout needs space for the press bed and safe movement around it. For hand printing, a clean table surface and room for drying racks or lay-flat drying is usually enough.
For school use, it helps to confirm the class size, age group and whether the lesson is for one impression each or a short edition run. The facilitator also needs to know whether students will work on the same block size, whether each learner has their own block, and if there is a plan for one-colour or two-colour registration. That keeps the paper count, ink mix and carving time lined up with the class pace.
- Class size and grade
- Confirm block count and block size
- Confirm hand printing or press printing
Care, packing and studio storage between sessions
Class blocks keep for years if they are wiped and stacked flat in a cool cupboard. Water-based inks are easier to clean from tools and rollers, while oil-based inks need more careful wiping and proper storage of the printing surfaces. Gouges and V-tools should be kept wrapped or in a tool roll so the edges stay protected and the classroom handling stays safer.
Papers need to stay dry and uncreased, especially if a class is working with fine detail or edition printing. In humid coastal weather, sealed storage helps stop paper curl and keeps the stack usable for the next session. Press blankets, brayers and barens should be checked for ink build-up before storage, because dried residue can leave marks on the next print run.
- Store blocks flat and dry
- Keep papers sealed from moisture
- Clean tools and rollers after each session
Reserving class packs
When ordering, it helps to confirm how many students will print, how many blocks are needed and whether the group is working on lino, soft-cut or both. Confirm the paper size, ink type, the number of colours and whether a press or hand-print setup will be used. If the class includes registration work, say whether it is a simple second layer or a fuller edition that needs repeat placement.
It also helps to note the venue, table layout and any travel requirements for school or pop-up use. For mixed groups, confirm whether left-handed carving tools or larger-handled grips are needed. Small details like block thickness, paper weight and drying space make a difference once the class starts moving from carving to the final pull.
- Number of learners and blocks
- Paper size and paper weight
- Ink type, colour count and printing method
Key facts
| Product type | Class-ready printmaking pack for student groups |
|---|---|
| Block options | Linoleum and soft-cut blocks in mixed or matched sets |
| Tool set | Safe carving gouges, V-tools, brayers and hand-printing tools |
| Printing method | Hand printing with baren or press printing |
| Ink options | Water-based or oil-based block inks |
| Typical formats | A6, A5 and A4 block sizes with paper matched to the session |
