Making a test print in Linocut Printing is a crucial step that might seem like an extra task, but it is actually an invaluable part of the process. Understanding why and how to create a test print will significantly improve your final linocut prints and save you from potential frustrations.
Why Test Prints Matter in Linocut
Creating a test print serves two primary purposes, both essential for successful linocut printing:
-
Carving Progress Check: A test print acts as a visual checkpoint for your carving. It reveals areas where your carving might need further refinement. By printing your block before committing to a final piece, you can identify and correct any unwanted marks, uneven surfaces, or areas that need more carving to achieve your desired design. This proactive approach ensures your final print accurately reflects your artistic vision.
-
Material and Time Efficiency: High-quality printmaking paper, like Japanese Kitakata paper, can be expensive. Using your intended final paper for initial trials can lead to unnecessary waste. Test prints, made on less expensive paper, allow you to perfect your inking and printing technique without wasting valuable materials. This step is a smart way to practice and refine your process, ultimately saving you both time and money in the long run.
While it might feel tempting to skip this step and jump straight to the final print, investing time in test prints is a hallmark of experienced printmakers. It’s a practice that ensures better results and a more efficient workflow. Let’s delve into how to make a test print.
Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Linocut Test Print
After you’ve completed your initial carving and are ready to see how your block is progressing, follow these steps to create a revealing test print:
1. Prepare Your Block:
Begin by removing any tape you used to protect your block during carving. Gently shake off any loose pieces of linoleum or debris. You can also wipe the surface clean with a soft cloth or your hand to ensure a clean printing surface.
2. Ink Preparation:
Next, prepare your printing ink. You’ll need a clean, smooth surface like a glass or plexiglass slab. Ensure it’s free of dust and dirt. For a design around 8×6 inches, start with approximately a 1-inch dollop of ink. Adjust the amount depending on the size of your block – larger blocks will require more ink. Don’t worry about having a pristine glass surface; a clean enough area will suffice. Determining the perfect ink quantity becomes intuitive with practice.
Alt text: A close-up view of black linocut ink dispensed from a tube onto a clean glass slab, ready for rolling.
3. Inking the Brayer:
Using your roller or brayer, start rolling the ink on the glass slab. Use short, even strokes, initially moving in one or two directions within a limited area of about 5-8 inches square. This focused rolling prevents the ink from spreading too thinly and drying out prematurely. Continue rolling until the ink achieves a smooth, even consistency with a slightly stippled texture. This texture indicates the ink is properly emulsified and ready for even application. You can experiment with rolling forwards and backwards or just in one direction to find your preferred technique – there’s no single right way.
Alt text: Hands using a rubber brayer to spread and smooth black linocut ink on a glass surface in preparation for inking a block.
4. Inking the Linocut Block:
Once your ink is smoothly rolled on the glass, transfer it to your linocut block. Roll the inked brayer across the ink on the glass, and then apply it to your carved block. Repeat this back-and-forth rolling motion, re-inking the brayer from the glass slab as needed, until the block is evenly covered with a smooth, dark layer of ink. You should no longer see the bare linoleum beneath the ink. The number of rolls needed will vary depending on your block’s size, but typically 10-25 rolls should suffice. Practice will help you judge when your block is adequately inked – another benefit of test printing!
Alt text: A linocut block being inked with a brayer, showing the even application of black ink onto the carved linoleum surface.
5. Making the Test Print:
With your block inked, take a piece of test paper (newsprint or any inexpensive paper works well). Gently place it onto the inked block, being careful not to shift or slide it once it makes contact. Lightly press down with your fingers to ensure the paper adheres to the inked surface.
6. Burnishing:
Place a piece of wax paper, slightly larger than your block, over the test paper. Using a burnishing tool – this could be a wooden spoon, a squeegee, or a specialized burnisher – apply firm, even pressure across the wax paper. Rub across the entire area of the block, test paper, and wax paper “sandwich” to transfer the ink from the block to the paper. The burnishing time will depend on the size of your print and paper type, ranging from 1 to 10 minutes. For a smaller test print, 2 minutes might be sufficient.
Alt text: A wooden spoon burnisher being used to apply pressure to the back of test paper placed on an inked linocut block to transfer the image.
7. Revealing Your Test Print:
Carefully set aside the wax paper – it can be reused for future prints. Gently rub the back of the test paper, especially over areas with fine details, to ensure good ink pickup. With thinner test paper, you might faintly see the image through the back. Take a corner of the paper and slowly peel it away from the block. There should be a slight resistance, but the paper shouldn’t stick excessively. Once fully peeled, lay your test print ink-side up to dry.
Congratulations! You’ve just created your first test print!
Analyzing Your Test Print and Next Steps
Examine your test print closely. Identify areas where the ink coverage is uneven, where lines are too thick or thin, or where unwanted marks appear. This analysis will inform your next carving steps. You might need to carve away more linoleum in certain areas or refine details. After making adjustments to your block, create another test print to check your progress. Repeat this process until you are satisfied with your test prints and confident in moving on to your final prints on your chosen paper.
Tip for Handling Inked Prints:
Remember that inked paper absorbs moisture, making it delicate and prone to tearing. Handle your test prints with care, especially after removing the wax paper, to avoid damaging your print. Gentle touch is key!
By mastering the art of test printing, you’ll gain greater control over your linocut process, resulting in higher quality prints and a more rewarding printmaking experience.
