What you need

A6 lino plate

We use natural linoleum. Most DIY kits contain toxic PVC!

Cutting blades

Brayer

Lino paint

A6 Cardstock paper

Pencil

Protective surface

Paper towels

Scrap paper or plastic

Video tutorial: intro & materials

Good to know

  • You’ll want to have everything within reach so you can focus on crafting. Check the material list in the box on the left and make sure you find a nice space where you can craft. Light a candle, put on some music and get ready for a few hours of cozy crafting.
  • Use templates or freehand your lino art print. Lino cutting is forgiving, so don’t worry about perfection. You should even strive for an authentic and hand made look.
  • Work slowly and enjoy the process of repeating the same cut over and over again. But make sure your cut is not too deep.

Choose your size

We recommend cutting the A6 lino plate in two, so you can make two designs. This is what we did for the examples in these instructions.

Sketch your design

  • Draw your design on (tracing) paper first. Keep it simple. Bold shapes and clean lines work best.
  • Use a simple design like our house or coffee cup. You can find inspiration on Pinterest, Instagram or in musea. Do whatever you like, there are many great options for lino designs!
  • Remember: your print will be a mirror image of your sketch.

Carve your design

This is where the magic happens! Carving, inking, and printing your design onto A6 cardstock.

  • Keep in mind that the parts that you're cutting away will not be inked. You might want to reverse your design.
  • To change blades, put the stick in the back of the knife holder to release the knife point.
  • Take your time while carving and be careful. Start with the outline using a fine V-gouge or knife blade. Then switch to broader blades to clear out the background.
  • Always carve away from your hands and other body parts, and rotate the plate for curves.
  • Don't rotate your wrists, let the blade guide you.
  • You’ll begin to see your image emerge.

Understand your blades

Each blade has a purpose:

  • U-gouge: For clearing large areas
  • V-gouge: For fine lines and details
  • Flat blade: For straight edges
  • Small round: For curves and dots
  • Knife blade: For sharp corners and outlines

Ink your design

  • Squeeze a small amount of lino paint onto a flat surface. A glass or plastic sheet works the best. You can also perfectly use the back of one of the paper bags that are in the craft box.
  • Use your brayer to roll out the ink until it’s smooth and tacky but not too wet.
  • Then roll the ink evenly over your carved lino plate. You want a thin, consistent layer that sits on the raised areas without flooding the carved lines.

Print your design

  • Place your A6 cardstock on a placemat. Lay the linoleum upside down on the paper. Press evenly with your hands, or use a spoon or your blade holder to rub the back of the paper in circular motions. Be firm but gentle.
  • Carefully remove the lino plate to reveal your print.

Clean & repeat

Crafting is about more than making something. It’s a moment to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with your hands, your thoughts, and your joy. It's about experimenting. Learning new skills. As you carve out and print your designs, let go of perfection and enjoy the process.

  • If your painted design is not transferring on the paper, try putting the design on the paper instead of the paper on the design.
  • Rinse your lino plate and brayer or wipe down with a paper towel to reuse it again.
  • Sign your cards or add hand-painted details for an even more personal touch.

Multimediacollage

Vertel over je merk

Video made by The Good Craft. ©2025. Do not copy without consent.

Music in the video is Avant la pluie by Arnito via Uppbeat