Why a Linocut Print Comes Out Backward

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Why a Linocut Print Comes Out Backward

An artist can carve a picture into a block of linoleum. It teaches a quick lesson. The picture on the block and the picture on the paper are mirror images. A letter that looks right on the block will look backward in the print. So artists plan for this from the start.

The artist draws a design on the soft, smooth block. Then small tools with curved or pointed tips cut away the parts that should stay white. What is left is a raised pattern, like a rubber stamp. The tools are sharp. So careful artists push the blade away from their hands.

Next comes the ink. A roller spreads a thin coat of ink on the raised parts. The carved grooves stay clean because they are lower. Then the artist lays paper on the block and presses it with a spoon or a small press. The paper touches the block face down. So left and right swap places. That is why the print is backward.

One block can make many prints. Some artists use more blocks to add colors. Many make a test print first. Then they carve a little more if a spot looks wrong.

Questions

1. What part of the linoleum does the artist carve away?
2. Why do the carved grooves stay clean when the roller is used?
3. How is the paper pressed onto the inked block?
4. Why does the picture come out backward on the paper?
5. If an artist wants a word to read right, what must be done on the block?
6. Why might an artist make a test print first?

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Name ____________________▲

Why a Linocut Print Comes Out Backward

A printmaker who carves a message into a block of linoleum learns a lesson quickly: the picture on the block and the picture on the paper are mirror images of each other. A letter that looks correct on the block will appear backward in the print. Experienced artists plan for this from the very start.

The process begins with a design drawn on the soft, smooth surface of the linoleum. Using small gouges with curved or pointed tips, the artist cuts away every part that should stay white. What remains standing is a raised pattern, like the top of a rubber stamp. The tools are sharp, so careful carvers always push the blade away from their own hands and keep their fingers behind it.

Next comes the ink. A roller spreads a thin, even coat across the raised areas, and the carved grooves stay clean because they sit lower than the roller can reach. A sheet of paper is then laid on top, and the artist presses it down with a spoon, a wooden tool or a small press. When the paper is peeled away, the inked shape has moved onto it. Because the paper touches the block face down, left and right swap places, which explains the reversal.

The real advantage of the method is repetition. One carved block can produce dozens of matching prints, and some artists add a second or third block to layer more colors. Many make a test print before they finish, then carve a little more if a spot looks wrong. In block printing, the carving is permanent, but each print offers a fresh chance to see the work from the other side.

Questions

1. What part of the linoleum does the artist carve away?
2. Why do the carved grooves stay clean when the roller is used?
3. How is the paper pressed onto the inked block?
4. Why does the picture come out backward on the paper?
5. If an artist wants a word to read correctly, what must be done on the block?
6. Why might an artist make a test print before finishing?

Free at teach.peabody.kids

Name ____________________■

Why a Linocut Print Comes Out Backward

A printmaker who carves an image into a block of linoleum learns one lesson almost immediately: the picture on the block and the picture on the paper are mirror images of one another. A letter that appears perfectly correct on the block will come out backward in the finished print. Experienced artists therefore plan for this reversal from the very beginning.

The process starts with a design drawn onto the soft, smooth surface of the linoleum. Using small gouges with curved or pointed tips, the artist cuts away every area that is meant to remain white. What is left standing is a raised pattern, much like the face of a rubber stamp. Because the tools are extremely sharp, careful carvers always push the blade away from their own hands and keep their fingers safely behind it.

Next comes the ink. A roller spreads a thin, even layer across the raised surfaces, while the carved grooves remain clean because they lie below the reach of the roller. A sheet of paper is then laid over the block, and the artist presses it down with a spoon, a wooden tool or a small press. When the paper is peeled away, the inked shape has transferred onto it. Since the paper meets the block face down, left and right trade places, which fully explains the reversal.

The real strength of the method is repetition. A single carved block can produce dozens of matching prints, and some artists add a second or third block in order to layer additional colors. Many make a test print before they consider the work finished, then carve a little more wherever a spot looks wrong. In block printing, the carving is permanent, yet each print offers a fresh opportunity to see the work from the other side.

Questions

1. What part of the linoleum does the artist cut away?
2. Why do the carved grooves stay clean when the roller is used?
3. How is the paper pressed down onto the inked block?
4. Why does the image come out backward on the paper?
5. If an artist wants a word to read correctly in the print, what must be done on the block?
6. Why might an artist make a test print before the work is finished?

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Answer key: Why a Linocut Print Comes Out Backward

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