different lino blocks - compare and contrast

Following on from a previous post detailing my tools and suppliers, I wanted to expand a little bit on the different types of lino blocks that I use and why I use them.

I alternate between three main types, depending on what I’m creating; traditional grey hessian-backed lino, Japanese vinyl and Speedball speedy carve. Below are some pros and cons I’ve assembled based upon my experience with the three types.

Traditional grey hessian-backed lino

This grey material is most commonly associated with lino printing. Below, you can see some example cuts into the lino using a variety of different sized tools and the block I carved to print 'Alley Cats'.

Pros

• Inexpensive to buy

• Buy in pre-cut A4/A3 blocks or a large roll

• Great for fine detail

• Widely available

• Physically easy to carve

Cons

• Difficult to cut into smaller blocks as the backing it so strong

• Can be difficult to clean as ink stains the block

• Degrades over time and becomes dry and brittle (at room temperature, fresh lino should be bendy and have that lovely linseed smell)

• Can be difficult to see where you’ve already carved

Japanese vinyl

This blue-green vinyl is a lot more aesthetically pleasing I find than grey lino and either side of the block can be carved. Cutting into it reveals a black layer underneath which is great for seeing where you have already carved.

Pros

• Relatively inexpensive to buy

• Buy in pre-cut blocks

• Black layer revealed as you cut into the block

• Easy to cut block without mess

• Great for large blocks of colour/minimalist designs

• Easy to clean the block after use

Cons

• More difficult than grey lino to physically carve (tools need to be sharpened frequently)

• Less widely available

• Fine details can be difficult to achieve without practise

Speedball speedy carve

I use this pink rubber material for making my wood mounted stamps as it works incredibly well with an ink pad but I have seen artists use much larger blocks to create full size prints too.

Pros

• The best stamp carving material available

• Incredibly easy to carve physically

• Blocks can be very easily cut

Cons

• Expensive to buy

• Unforgiving (even the smallest mistakes will show on a print)

• Less widely available than traditional lino

What type of lino do you prefer to use and why? Let me know in the comments below.