How to Get the Right Ink Amount in Linocut Printing – Avoid Common Mistakes
Too much or too little ink can ruin your linocut prints. Learn how to balance ink, paper, and pressure for perfect results without frustration.
I will help you understand linocut printing step by step, try it out for yourself, and create your own prints.
Getting the right amount of ink is one of the trickiest parts of linocut printing. Too much or too little ink — both can mess up your print. The good news: once you know what to look (and listen!) for, it’s easy to fix.
Too much ink – why it becomes a problem
Using too much ink isn’t the end of the world, but it often leads to messy results. You’ll notice ink spreading beyond the carved areas or fine lines filling in and disappearing.
Another issue: oil-based inks take much longer to dry when applied too thickly. A normal, thin layer may dry in a few days, but if it’s too heavy, your print can stay tacky for weeks.
How to tell you’re using too much ink
You can see it and hear it! If there’s too much ink on your roller, it will sound like you’re walking through mud — a wet, sticky noise while rolling.
The right amount of ink sounds smooth, quiet, and almost dry. In my online course, I even show you a short video lesson where you can hear and see the difference — and learn exactly how to find that sweet spot.
Too little ink? No big deal!
Having too little ink is far less of a problem. You can simply add a bit more or increase the pressure while printing.
The secret to beautiful linocut prints lies in the balance between ink, paper, and pressure. Once you get a feel for it, your prints will come out clean and vibrant.
If a print doesn’t turn out perfectly, don’t get discouraged. Often, small adjustments are all it takes to improve your results.
In my online course, I’ll guide you step by step through finding the perfect ink amount, achieving strong and even coverage — and rediscovering the joy of printing.
