Art and design
Relief printing with lino
Plan a bold design, transfer it in reverse, test marks, roll a thin layer of ink and pull a print. The guide explains which raised areas take ink and includes troubleshooting prompts for common print results.
Follow the printing sequence. Cutting needs teacher supervision; cut slowly away from your body and keep hands behind the blade.
Read the complete materialRead the material
Plan a bold design, transfer it in reverse, test marks, roll a thin layer of ink and pull a print. The guide explains which raised areas take ink and includes troubleshooting prompts for common print results.
Shared activity record. Use the preview for diagrams and layout.
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NAME CLASS DATE LEARNING GOAL I can plan, cut and print a lino relief print safely, and explain why it prints as a mirror image. SUCCESS CRITERIA I can use a cutter and bench hook safely. I can design in bold shapes and reverse any lettering. I can roll a thin, even layer of ink and pull a clean print. 1 What you need Lino block the surface you cut Lino cutters a V-tool and a U-gouge Bench hook holds the block still Water-based ink washes off with water Roller (brayer) spreads thin, even ink Inking plate to roll the ink out on Baren or spoon to press the paper Paper plus spares for tests Stay safe with cutters Always cut away from your body and away from the hand holding the block. Keep your holding hand behind the blade. Hook the bench hook over the table edge so the block cannot slip. Cut slowly, in short strokes; turn the block for curves. Carry cutters blade down; return them to the tray. Hard lino? Warm it a little (on a radiator or under your hand) to soften it. Cut yourself? Tell your teacher straight away. 2 Step by step FOLLOW THE PANELS IN ORDER 1 Bold shapes Use strong, simple shapes and shade every part that will print. Thin, fiddly lines are hard to cut. 2 Mirror image R R block print The print is reversed left to right, so draw letters and numbers backwards on the block. 3 Transfer turn the tracing over Trace in soft pencil, turn the tracing over onto the lino and rub the back. The lines transfer reversed. 4 Cut away What you cut away stays the colour of the paper (white on white paper). The raised surface takes the ink. 5 Ink the block Squeeze a little ink onto the plate. Roll until it looks like velvet, then roll the block in several directions. 6 Print circles Lay the paper on the inked block. Press all over in small circles with a baren or the back of a spoon. 7 Pull the print peel Hold one edge down and peel back a corner. Too pale? Lower it and press again. Then lift it off. 8 Clean up Water-based ink washes off with water. Wash the roller and plate, sponge the block, return the cutters. Technique instruction guide · Relief printing with lino ART AND DESIGN AGES 11 TO 14 PRINTMAKING Relief printing with lino Relief printing with lino A visual guide to designing, cutting, inking and pulling your own print. Page 1 of 2
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3 Plan your print Sketch three ideas. Shade what will print in ink; leave the cut-away parts white. IDEA A Bold shapes Flip check done IDEA B Bold shapes Flip check done IDEA C Bold shapes Flip check done Flip check Hold your sketch up to a window or a mirror, or trace it and turn the tracing over. That is how it will print. Best idea: 4 Mark-making test strip On a lino scrap, cut each mark. Print the strip, then stick it in or sketch how each mark printed. Straight lines V-tool Curves turn the block Cleared area U-gouge Short flicks like fur or grass Cross-hatching for tone My own mark invent one 5 Troubleshooting TICK ANY THAT HAPPENED WHAT YOU SEE LIKELY CAUSE FIX IT NEXT TIME ME? Blotchy, lines filled in Too much ink Roll a thinner layer, until it looks like velvet. Patchy or speckled Too little pressure or ink Press firmly in small circles everywhere; add a little ink. Lettering back to front Forgot to mirror Draw letters backwards on the block; flip check first. Smudged or doubled Paper moved Hold the paper still with one hand while you press. Ink in cleared areas Cut too shallow Clear large areas a little deeper with the U-gouge. 6 Reflect on your print GO FURTHER Plan a two-colour version of your design. Which parts would print in the first, lighter colour? Ask your teacher about reduction printing. Technique instruction guide · Plan, test, fix Not yet Getting there Got it RELIEF PRINTING WITH LINO PRACTICE Plan, test, fix Plan, test, fix WHAT WENT WELL? WHAT WILL YOU CHANGE? WHY DON'T CUT PARTS PRINT? Page 2 of 2
A teaching sequence
Plan and test a relief-print design using safe working practices, use mirror-image lettering, prepare an even ink layer and reflect on the result.
Plan bold shapes and a mirror check
Sketch three ideas, shade the areas intended to print and use the flip check to see whether letters or numbers need reversing. Choose a design and transfer it to lino.
How will the chosen letters or numbers appear in the final print?
Follow the printing sequence. Cutting needs teacher supervision; cut slowly away from your body and keep hands behind the blade.
Read the complete materialTest cutting marks under approved supervision
Cut only under the teacher’s approved supervision and reviewed safety instructions. Use a lino scrap to test the listed marks and record how each prints.
Has the teacher demonstrated the reviewed safe method before cutters are used?
Follow the printing sequence. Cutting needs teacher supervision; cut slowly away from your body and keep hands behind the blade.
Read the complete materialInk and press with the approved tool
Roll a small amount of water-based ink until even, ink the raised surface and press paper over it using the approved tool.
Is the raised surface evenly inked and the paper kept still?
Inspect, troubleshoot and reflect
Lift the paper carefully, use the troubleshooting table for print problems and reflect on what worked, what to change and why cut-away parts stay the colour of the paper.
Which visible print problem suggests a change for the next trial?
Before you teach
Look for the thinking behind an answer, choose the support your class needs and leave room for an independent response.
What to look for
Check that the design has bold cuttable shapes, reversed lettering where needed and a safe cutting setup. On the print, look for even ink and a stable paper position; ask pupils to link one result to a troubleshooting cause.
Give a little support
Begin with a paper design or demonstrate the transfer before cutting. Use a pre-cut sample for pupils who should not handle cutters, provide large shapes and supervise one tool at a time under school policy.
Take the idea further
Ask pupils to plan a two-colour design and explain how they would separate the image into layers. Ask the teacher whether the reduction-printing option is suitable.
Things to keep in mind
Lino cutters can cause injury. The printed safety reminders do not replace a current school risk assessment, a teacher demonstration, appropriate supervision or age-appropriate tool restrictions. The text suggests warming hard lino on a radiator or under a hand; do not use that step until an art educator has checked and approved a safe method. Confirm the complete safety guidance before the activity.
Keep the idea. Make it yours.
Bring your topic, learning goal and class context to PLAI™, then review what you create.
Ideas for using this resource
Sample teaching perspectives on what to try, what to adapt and what to watch for.
Meet The Creators
Meet a creator whose teaching interests connect with this template.
The Curious Pencil
This two-page lino relief-print guide lists a lino block, V- and U-gouges, bench hook, water-based ink and roller. It asks pupils to design bold shapes, reverse lettering, cut safely, ink evenly and reflect on the print.
Chalk Dust & Checklists
The mirror-image explanation connects the planned design to the result on paper. Tool and material names help pupils identify what the teacher must prepare before printing.
Paperclip Perspective
Use a competent adult demonstration and supervision for cutters, secure the lino with the bench hook and follow the school's approved tool procedure. Start with simple shapes and reverse any lettering before cutting.
Tea Break Notes
A short guide cannot replace local risk assessment, tool training or direct supervision. Follow the school's safety rules and use the specified materials only when approved.