Troubleshooting Common Challenges in Linocut Printmaking

Linocut printmaking is one of the most rewarding art forms I have had a chance to experiment with, but like any craft, it comes with its fair share of challenges. Whether you’ve just started dipping your toes, or you’ve been doing this for a while, I’m sure you’ve experienced issues before, during and after creating your prints (I know I have!).

In this blog post, we'll explore some common problems and provide practical solutions so you can feel more confident the next time you come across a problem in your process! 

1. Achieving Consistent Ink Coverage

Oh, this one, It’s a big one. I had issues with this one so many times in the past! Sometimes the ink rolling results in patchy or streaky prints, and it’s taking away from the final result of the artwork, and you’re just left there wondering what have you done wrong??

Solution:

• The first thing I would do, would be to take into account the materials you are working with, because those can make a huge difference in the final result. For example, if you are using a thicker paper, it’s going to be a lot harder to get a full coverage consistent ink layer. The same goes for heavily textured papers. We love those textures but it can be harder to print on.
• Also the type of ink you’re using plays a role, when using water based ink I found it harder to get that full coverage look, but when I switched to oil based ink the results were better. Yes they take longer to clean, but it’s totally worth it!

• When  using your brayer (roller), roll in different directions to achieve uniform coverage. What I mean by that is don’t just move your roller up and down, but change directions to ensure there is an even coat on the roller.
• Test print on scrap paper before printing on your final fancy beautiful more expensive paper, that way you can make adjustments.
  
• This one is kind of vague: you need to find the sweet spot of not too little and not too much ink. Did you ever get little ink bumps on your beautiful print? That definitely happened to me and was because I over inked my roller.
  Over inking your roller can result in little ink bumps on your print, it’s not the end of the world but we want to aim for a consistent ink layer, and the best way to achieve that is by building thin layers one at a time. 

2. Dealing with Ink Smudges

Ink smudges can ruin an otherwise perfect print, and it couldn't be more frustrating! This could happen from the smallest of reasons, maybe you didn't notice some ink on your fingers. 

Solution:

• Use a blotting sheet or tissue to gently blot excess ink from your linocut block before printing.
• Ensure your workspace is clean and well-organized to minimize the risk of smudging.
• Make sure your hands don’t have any ink on them before touching the paper. Sometimes, ink can get on your hands from handling the ink tubes and mixing the ink. I make sure my hands are clean and dry before handling the paper. 

3. Preventing Paper Tear and Bleeding

This one is the bane of my existence! Paper can tear or bleed if it's too wet or too dry during printing. Many times when I was printing, and pressing with my wooden spoon, the paper got a small tear from the pressure of the spoon on the inked paper. That can easily ruin a perfectly good print. 

Solution:

• Control paper moisture by lightly misting or blotting it as needed.
• Experiment with different types of paper to find the one that works best for your linocut prints. Sometimes handmade paper has small holes that naturally occur during the creation of that paper, but when I print on it, I make sure to work slowly and gently around those areas, in order to prevent them from becoming a gaping hole in the print. 

4. Managing Registration Issues

 Achieving accurate registration (alignment) for multi-colored prints can be tricky, and I have certainly struggled with this one in the past. .

Solution:

• Use a registration system or a registration jig to ensure precise alignment for each color layer. 
• Be patient and practice your registration technique until it becomes second nature.
• Also remember that it’s ok for things not to be perfect. Linocut printmaking is a handmade technique, and it’s totally ok to let it show. We are not printing from a printer here, it’s all done by hand (:

5. Avoiding Uneven Pressure

Uneven pressure during printing can result in areas of your print being too light or too dark.

Solution:

• Invest in a good quality printing press or use a wooden spoon or baren to apply even pressure.
• Pay close attention to the pressure you apply during each pass.
• If you are using registration pins to keep your paper in place, you’ll be able to lift the paper and roll more ink in area that it’s not fully covered yet. I find this solution quite helpful. 

6. Overcoming Carving Mistakes

Mistakes happen, and sometimes you may accidentally remove more material than intended when carving, and although there is no going back in linocut carving, there are a few things that might help if the mistake is not too big. 

Solution:

• For minor errors, try to incorporate them into your design or adapt the image.
• If the mistake is significant, consider re-carving that part of the linoleum block or starting over with a new block, or patch the mistake with a small linoleum piece.

For a more in depth solution on this subject, check out my blog post about How to Fix Carving Mistakes. 

What to Take From This

Remember, linocut printmaking is as much about the process as it is about the final result. Embrace the challenges as opportunities for growth and creativity. Over time, you'll find the tools that work best for you, and develop the skills and intuition to troubleshoot effectively and produce remarkable linocut prints. You got this!

Happy Printmaking 🌷