Why Many Beginners Hate Linocut – And What’s Really Going On
I recently saw a Reel where a beginner said she just didn’t understand why everyone loves linocut – she hated every single second of it. And honestly? I had to smile, because I knew exactly why.
Not because linocut is bad. But because she was making it way harder for herself than it needed to be.
And this happens all the time. When you’re just starting out, you don’t yet know what makes the process easier or more enjoyable – so you wrestle with plates that are too hard, dull knives, and prints that never come out the way you imagined.
I remember my own start. Even though I already had a creative background, I also did pretty much everything “wrong” at first. And still, there was this instant feeling that linocut was my thing. The path to getting there? A bit bumpy.
The Main Reason Linocut Feels Frustrating
Linocut is actually a very meditative craft. You just don’t notice it until you understand a few key things.
Most beginners give up too early because they’re working with materials that are just no fun.
For example, if you grab a cheap, hard plate, you’ve already lost – you end up scraping more than cutting. The knife sticks, the linoleum cracks, your wrist aches, and you think, Why am I doing this to myself?
Same story with dull tools or designs that are way too detailed. Then there’s the ink, which spreads unevenly, and the paper sticking to the plate.
No wonder it feels like a struggle.
Linocut Can Be Easy – Really!
Once you know what really matters, everything changes.
A good, soft plate, sharp knives, a simple design, and a bit of patience – that’s all it takes.
Suddenly, the cutting flows, the inking is even, and the moment you lift your first successful print? Pure magic.
I think linocut is so much about calm, rhythm, and feeling. If you stop fighting the material and work with it, that’s when the flow everyone talks about happens.
So If You’ve Hated Linocut …
… give it another chance. Maybe it wasn’t you – maybe it was just the wrong setup.
Try better tools, simple designs, and take your time.
Linocut doesn’t have to be a fight – it can be exactly the opposite.
And I can help you with two things:
Choosing the right materials – especially as a beginner, it makes all the difference! You can download my free tool list here. Jumping straight in – if you want to get started right away, my online course is perfect for you. In it, I show you everything in video form, step by step, so you’ll know exactly how it works.
