If you have explored the possibility of carving your own stamps, you may very well have come across linocut kits. Though similar to stamp carving, linocuts are in many ways a world of their own. So the question is, should you try to make our own linocuts.

Though it’s a little more difficult than stamp carving , making your own design for block printing is easy with the right tools. You can start off with a basic kit and then decide whether or not to invest in additional tools. The linoleum is a bit stiffer than the rubber used in stamp carving. I did find I needed to adjust my carving technique a bit and to take more care as I carved. I carved slower, lest I make a mistake or accidentally cut myself.

The most difficult aspect of creating a linocut is to decide what to carve.I have the same issue when carving stamps. I prefer to create designs I know I will use more than once. I also chose to begin with smaller designs, saving the bigger ideas for later when I was more used to the material I was using.

Good Times by Christy Strickler |Supplies Patterned Paper,Die Cuts: Basic Grey; Letters: American Crafts; Tape: Freckled Fawn; Ink: Ranger; Linocuts: Christy Strickler; Other: Buttons

Now it comes down to using your linocut or block print. You can use a brayer with paint or inks designed for block printing. However, if you are on a budget( like me), then you can make due with stamper’s ink pads.You want to use an ink that stays wet and is very juicy. I chose to work with Ranger’s Distress inks. I chose 2 colors. After inking the linocut in the same manner one would ink a stamp, I applied the image to the paper. In some cases, I stamped over the image in the second color which mimicked the look seen in Linocut art.

Making your own block prints is easy, though I do admit that I prefer carving rubber stamps to linocutting. If you do decide to try this technique out, begin with a basic kit to determine if it’s something you like without having to make a major investment. You may want to try your block prints a variety of papers. Textured papers tend to offer a slightly different look to the print when compared to a smooth paper.

Scrapbook Page Techniques for LinoCut Looks, an article from Get It Scrapped