Linoolõige

Linoolõige, or linoleum cut, is a relief printmaking technique in which a design is carved into a sheet of linoleum. The raised surfaces of the block are inked and pressed onto paper, fabric, or other substrates to create prints, producing a mirror image of the carved design.

Materials and process: A linoleum block is prepared and a design drawn on its surface or transferred from paper. Carving tools such as gouges and knives remove the areas that will appear white in the final print. Ink is rolled onto the block with a brayer, and paper is pressed onto the inked surface by hand or with a printing press. The block can be reused to make multiple impressions; for multi-color prints, separate blocks or the reduction method are used, with careful registration to align colors.

History and use: Linoleum cuts gained prominence in the 20th century as a more affordable alternative to woodcuts. The technique is valued for bold lines, strong contrasts, and its suitability for education, small studios, and contemporary art practice. It has been used by artists around the world to produce everything from bold graphic images to delicate tonal work.

Techniques and variations: Common approaches include single-block prints, multi-block prints with color registration, and reduction linocuts in which colors are printed sequentially from one block by carving away areas after each color layer. Finishing steps include drying the prints and signing the edition. Linoolõige remains popular in artist studios and printmaking classrooms for its accessibility and expressive potential.