These 5 Products Frustrated Me as a Linocut Beginner
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Some products can cause more frustration than necessary. Learn which materials really help you – and which ones to avoid to stay motivated!
Maybe you know this feeling: when a new hobby excites me, I want to know everything immediately, and I’m so hyped that I just want to start. I watch countless videos and slowly understand the process (or at least I think I do 😄). But when it’s finally time to start myself, questions arise: What should I buy? I don’t want to waste money – who knows if I’ll stick with this hobby?
Often, beginners are tempted to start with cheap products – totally understandable! HOWEVER, I have to admit: some budget supplies backfire. They lead to frustration because they simply don’t work properly. And as a beginner, you can’t always tell whether it’s your technique or the product that’s the problem.
From my experience, some products are fine to save on, but some professional-quality tools are actually much more beginner-friendly than their cheap alternatives.
Here are my top 5 frustrating products for linocut beginners – and better alternatives.
Brayers (Rollers)
Steel-frame rollers are probably the cheapest you can find, while my favorites, Speedball soft rubber brayers, are mid-range. (There are also rollers over €60, which I personally find way too expensive!)
The downside of the steel-frame roller is that it doesn’t handle much pressure. Applying ink with these rollers is uneven, which tempts you to press harder. Uneven ink transfer shows in your print. With practice, beginners can still get decent results with them – but at first, you might get disappointed by prints that are too dark in some areas and too light in others.
Soft rubber brayers are a dream: they distribute ink evenly and smoothly. Cleaning hard rubber rollers is easier, but for me, print quality comes first.
Ink – Water-based or Oil-based?
I started with large tubes of water-based ink, including Schmincke linocut colors. I thought, “A reputable brand, it must be good!” – but I was wrong. The ink sometimes dried while I was printing, and printing in summer heat was a nightmare. I had to apply excessive pressure to get an even result, and eventually, I had to tear the paper off the plate because it had stuck. Frustrating! I didn’t know if it was my fault or the ink.
My answer for linocut beginners: oil-based AND washable ink. You might think oil-based ink means messy cleaning with smelly solvents – fortunately, that’s not the case 😀. Caligo Safe Wash Relief Ink from Cranfield is amazing: excellent print quality, yet easily washable with water and soap.
Carving tools
Again, my credo: don’t skimp on the wrong tools! A set with three different blade sizes covers many functions and is perfect for beginners. I used a cheap interchangeable blade set during university – a nightmare! Combined with a hard, old linoleum block, it ruined my enjoyment. Carving should be meditative and relaxing.
Sharp blades are safer for beginners too: they reduce the risk of slipping. Cheap blades require more control and experience to get good results. Investing in quality carving tools is worth it.
Hand Burnishers
My first hand burnisher wasn’t suitable for my projects. Felt burnishers might work for small stamp designs, but not for linocut. You can’t build enough pressure.
Instead, this Japanese hand burnisher works perfectly! It’s mainly for the first press, then you can switch to a wooden spoon. Still, it’s part of the routine and essential for good results.
Paper – Here You Can Save
Fancy watercolor or heavy 300 gsm paper looks luxurious, but for beginners printing by hand, it’s not ideal. Heavy, textured paper requires more pressure and patience to achieve even results – often frustrating for new linocut beginners.
Smooth, lighter paper around 130–180 gsm is easier to print on and delivers clean results quickly. My personal favorite is 160 gsm design offset paper – similar to what’s sold as cartridge paper.
Paper choice is personal, though. Heavy, textured papers can beautifully enhance single-color or floral designs. For beginners, however, choose easy-to-print paper first, then experiment as you gain experience.
Why Good Materials Are Worth the Investment
Bad prints are frustrating. While trial and error is part of learning, beginners need small successes to stay motivated. The wrong products can quickly ruin your enjoyment. Poor ink coverage or uncomfortable tools can make you give up on printing.
It’s understandable to want to save money at first. But investing in a few high-quality inks and tools makes your start so much easier – and you can always resell them later if you want to try something else.
👉 Want to know which products are truly worth it for linocut beginners? Download my free PDF tool list. If you want to start right away: in my online course, I show you step by step how to create your first multi-color linocut print – frustration-free, fun, and successful! 🥳
Linocut Tool Guide
Still unsure which tools and products you need for your lino printing starter kit? Just download my guide with product recommendations for linocut beginners – on 6 pages I list all the materials and tools I need to make my colorful prints – and you can do it too!
Buy Linocut Supplies – Where to Find Everything You Need
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If you downloaded my free tool list, or watched my videos on Instagram, you probably have a good idea of what you really need as a beginner (or even advanced) linocut artist.
But here’s the question: Where can you buy all these supplies? I’ll share where I personally buy my favorite products and which shops I recommend.
Manufacturer Websites
Some brands I love list on their websites where their products are sold worldwide. That’s always the first place to check. If your country isn’t listed, have a look at neighboring countries and their shipping options.
My personal favorites:
My ink rollers are from Speedball Art
My carving tools are from Pfeil
My linoleum blocks are from Essdee UK
My relief inks are from Cranfield
Germany
There are some art material stores that I like very much, because I can buy everything bundled in one place there. For Germany this is gerstäcker or www.kreativ.de (the stores are identical). Boesner.com also sells the Pfeil tools and has some stores in Germany, but they don’t sell the inks I’d recommend, so Boesner is only second choice for me. The Dutch store polymetaal.nl is also recommendable (although the website is a bit strange).
Worldwide
In the UK, I like to buy from www.jacksonsart.com or www.handprinted.co.uk. You can also check out amazon – in Germany the selection there is rather poor but in other countries this could be a good source.
Some more shops that sell printmaking products (found on Cranfields website):
France: www.geant-beaux-arts.fr
Netherlands: www.gerstaecker.nl
Denmark: www.aartdevos.dk
Sweden: www.ibwahlstrom.se
USA: www.dickblick.com
Conclusion
Sometimes you just have to do a Google search yourself – I can’t research every country. But maybe you know other linocut artists nearby who can give you advice. That can make finding the right supplies much easier.
You don’t have to buy exactly the products I recommend. These are personal favorites based on my experience. If you can’t find them locally, look for alternatives that are available to you. Like with any hobby, it’s rarely a one-time purchase – so it helps if getting your supplies is easy and convenient. And if you are curious about the products you’ll need for lino printing, check out this article!
Linocut Tool Guide
Still unsure which tools and products you need for your lino printing starter kit? Just download my guide with product recommendations for linocut beginners – on 6 pages I list all the materials and tools I need to make my colorful prints – and you can do it too!
Do You Need a Printing Press for Linocut? Tips & Alternatives
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To keep it short: it depends. As always. I spent the first 1.5 years without a linocut press, and it worked perfectly fine. But once you’ve experienced using a press, you probably won’t want to go back.
One thing is certain: you don’t need a press to get good prints from your linocut block! It just requires more effort – mainly physical strength.
Do you need a linocut press?
Learn to love linocut first before investing in a press. Once you’re ready and can afford it, you won’t regret the purchase.
For beginners, hand burnishers and a wooden spoon are enough to get beautiful prints.
Want to know more about essential tools for beginners? Check out my article: Linocut Tools for Beginners.
Alternatives to a Press
Before we talk about presses, let me show you the best alternatives.
Hand burnishers are very useful. In English, they’re called “baren.” There are many variations:
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Classic bamboo baren: Traditional tool in Japanese woodblock printing, works very well for linocuts too. You hold it by the handle and rub the paper in circular motions. I mainly use it to lightly fix the paper for the first press.
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Speedball baren: Has a firm padded surface that glides smoothly over the paper without damaging it.
The Wooden Spoon
A wooden spoon is essential. You could use metal, but it can get quite hot after prolonged rubbing. My wooden spoon was once part of a salad set – a regular cooking spoon works too. Make sure it has a smooth surface to protect the paper.
Use the spoon to rub your design in small circular movements. Important: place the paper on the block, not the other way around.
Another alternative are brayers. Look similar to ink rollers and can apply ink. My recommendation: they don’t replace the wooden spoon and are less convenient.
The Hand Printing Press
If you print a lot, you might want to consider a hand press. I bought a hand press from Jan (Woodzilla) in 2020:
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Price: around €300 plus shipping
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Size: A3 – you can print A3 paper and smaller formats
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Delivery: includes a felt mat for even pressure
My first print with it was a revelation! The results were so even and easy to achieve that I could hardly believe it.
Still, printing by hand works too, but it requires patience and strength. You’ll spend several minutes in a slightly bent position to get as close as possible to the block. A high worktable can help, but not everyone has one at home.
Linocut Tool Guide
Still unsure which tools and products you need for your lino printing starter kit? Just download my guide with product recommendations for linocut beginners – on 6 pages I list all the materials and tools I need to make my colorful prints – and you can do it too!
Finding your own linocut style – how my artistic process evolved
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I’ve always been creative. As a child, I loved drawing, and later I went on to study design, where I discovered my passion for illustration. So when I started with linocut printing in 2018, I already had plenty of creative background and motivation — but honestly, I had no idea what my style should be.
And to be fair: if I hadn’t found a linocut style that felt natural to me early on — one that suits this technique, that I can constantly reinvent — I might have lost interest. Finding your own style gives you confidence, direction, and the feeling that you’ve truly arrived.
Finding your own linocut style takes time, patience, and curiosity. Experiment with color, shapes, and themes — and one day, you’ll realize you’re not searching anymore. You’re simply creating. And that’s where your style truly begins.
The Beginning: Black and White and Searching for Expression
My very first linocut print was a portrait of a Viking woman — my “Lagertha.” Looking back, it’s funny that her eyes are closed. I was afraid that a fixed gaze would look lifeless. That little insecurity eventually became my trademark: women with their eyes closed.
Back then, my prints looked very “typical linocut” — black and white, bold contrasts, hand-carved. I liked that, but something was missing. I wanted more depth, more emotion — something that felt more me.
First Experiments with Color and Themes
The next big step was an experiment: a print of a snake and skull — inspired by the “Dark Mark” from Harry Potter. It was the first time I played with color layering and overlapping shapes. It wasn’t quite there yet, but it felt like I was getting closer.
Then came a piece with cicadas and peonies — and that’s when I realized how important color is to me. Color changes everything. It shapes the mood, the atmosphere, the emotion. From that moment on, I knew that color would become a defining part of my linocut style.
The Breakthrough: My First “Girl” Portrait
In autumn 2018, I created the first girl that would define my current body of work — and everything clicked. This was exactly what I wanted to do! I was so excited about the result that I immediately started sketching the next one… and the next, and the next.
Over time, I added more and more symbolism to the motifs, playing with meaning and visual storytelling. That’s how my series concept was born — portraits of girls, each with their own symbolic theme and color palette.
This serial approach gave me structure and freedom at the same time: because the composition stayed the same, I could focus on creativity — the symbolism, the color choices, the emotion.
What I Learned: Finding a Linocut Style Takes Time
You can’t force a personal style — it develops naturally through practice and experimentation. Every print teaches you something. Even when you think you’re “off track,” you’re actually moving closer to what feels authentic.
And even once you’ve found your linocut style, it won’t stay fixed forever. As you grow more confident, you’ll start exploring new directions and influences. That’s part of the creative journey.
Don’t rush it. Explore what inspires you, notice what keeps showing up in your work, and pay attention to what feels easy and joyful. Those are often the clues to your personal linocut style. I recently saw a great video by Brooke Glaser on YouTube. Maybe this will help you. It’s more about illustration, but the two disciplines are still closely related.
I’m curious to see how my own work will evolve in the next few years — maybe it’ll look completely different. And that’s the beauty of it: style is always evolving.
Linocut Tool Guide
Still unsure which tools and products you need for your lino printing starter kit? Just download my guide with product recommendations for linocut beginners – on 6 pages I list all the materials and tools I need to make my colorful prints – and you can do it too!
Linocut Tools for Beginners – Save Money on Your Starter Kit
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Which tools does a linocut beginner actually need? When you’re just starting out, you probably don’t want to spend a fortune — and definitely don’t want to buy the wrong materials. Still: don’t skimp in the wrong places!
Cheap tools can quickly become frustrating because they’re harder to handle and give worse results.
From many of my own attempts I know: dull knives, hard lino blocks, or unsuitable inks lead to messy prints — and sometimes even to injuries. The best solution is a mix of beginner and pro tools.
In this article you’ll learn where you can save money and when an investment is worth it.
If you’d rather get started right away: 👉 Download my free tool checklist for your linocut starter kit here!
Linocut Carving Tools
A good carving knife is the heart of your linocut kit. Dull or cheap knives make carving dangerous and imprecise.
These three blades are totally enough to start with:
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Medium V-gouge: For fine lines and deep grooves
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Wide U-gouge: For clearing larger areas
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Flat gouge: Versatile and forgiving
Save or invest?
💡 Invest! Cheap sets dull quickly and usually can’t be sharpened. Good knives stay sharp for years and make carving safer and more precise. My favorite are Pfeil tools
Ink rollers
When it comes to ink rollers, I recommend striking a balance. I use soft rubber rollers because they distribute the ink evenly and are easy to use.
Tip: Two or three rollers are enough to start with—one narrow and one medium width. If you mainly work in A4 format, you don’t need a larger one.
Save or invest?
💡 Better to invest. I wouldn’t recommend the rollers with the round steel frame from ABIG, for example. Instead, the Speedball deluxe soft paint rollers are fantastic, and the even cheaper soft rubber rollers from Essdee UK are also great to work with.
Relief Ink
My most important tip: use oil-based, washable linocut inks.
Water-based inks dry extremely fast — especially in warm conditions — and make printing multiple impressions difficult.
My favorite: Caligo Safe Wash Relief Ink (Cranfield Colours)
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Cleans easily with water & soap
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Excellent printing properties
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Silky-matte finish
Save or invest?
💡 Invest! Good ink is key to clean prints. For years, I have been working exclusively with Cranfield’s Caligo Safe Wash Relief Ink.
Paper
Expensive paper isn’t necessary. For starting out, smooth, easy-to-print paper is enough. I use, for example, 160 g/m² Design Offset White, which is also used for flyers and magazines. However, I buy that from a local print shop.
Tip: The heavier or more textured the paper, the harder it is to print — especially without a press. Smooth paper is ideal for beginners.
Save or invest?
💡 Saving is fine! Start with affordable paper and move to handmade or specialty paper once you have more experience.
Linoleum Blocks – Classic Remains Favorite
My favorite is classic grey lino, often called Battleship Grey. It smells nice, cuts well and gives the typical linocut feel. Other variants like brown lino or softcut/vinyl behave differently when cutting and feel different.
Save or invest?
💡 Invest moderately! Classic linoleum from Essdee UK is my favorite. But you definitely need sharp carving tools for this!
Barens & Wooden Spoon – Printing Without a Press
If you don’t own a press, you can still get lovely impressions using a wooden spoon or a Japanese baren. It takes a bit longer, but it works wonderfully — especially for small formats.
Save or invest?
💡 Saving is fine! A wooden spoon is often completely sufficient. A baren is a nice addition!
Conclusion – Where to Save and Where to Invest
Don’t save on carving tools and ink – these make the difference between fun and frustration.
You can save on rollers, paper, and barens.
As for lino: traditional grey combined with sharp tools is the perfect match for great results.
With the right tools, linocut printing becomes pure joy, and you’ll achieve good results quickly. That way, you’ll stay motivated and avoid unnecessary frustration.
I can help you in two ways:
👉 Download my free tool checklist to find a selection of products that are perfect for beginners.
👉 Or jump right in with my online linocut course, where I show you every step in easy-to-follow video lessons.
Linocut Tool Guide
Still unsure which tools and products you need for your lino printing starter kit? Just download my guide with product recommendations for linocut beginners – on 6 pages I list all the materials and tools I need to make my colorful prints – and you can do it too!