linodruk

Linodruk, or linocut, is a relief printmaking technique in which an image is carved into a sheet of linoleum, a soft, printable block material. The raised areas hold ink and are pressed onto paper or fabric to produce an image.

Process: A design is drawn on the linoleum block or transferred from another surface. The artist uses gouges or knives to carve away the negative spaces. The remaining raised surface is inked with a roller (brayer). The ink is then transferred to paper using a baren or printing press, applying even pressure to ensure the ink is evenly picked up.

Materials and tools: linoleum blocks, gouges, knives, brayer, ink (oil-based or water-based relief ink), baren or printing press, paper or fabric.

Color and editions: Most prints are single-color; multiple colors require additional blocks for each color or a reduction printing process where the same block is used for successive color layers, carving away more after each pass.

History and context: Linodruk emerged as a popular relief technique in the 20th century due to its relative ease compared with woodcut. Linoleum is easier to cut, fast to prepare, and well suited for education, small editions, and printmaking experiments. It has been used by artists in modern and contemporary practice, in posters, book illustration, and fine art prints.

Notes: The term linodruk is used in Swedish and Danish; in English, the technique is commonly called linocut.