A reduction print is a multicolour print in which the separate colours are printed from the same lino block at different stages
Please download the koala template for use as reference.
In preparation for drawing onto your lino make sure you have your reference in front of you (either printed or on screen). It’s important to have your design thought out before you begin, this way you will have a clear idea of how your finished piece will look.
You will need:
- Micador Easy Cut Lino Squares
- Micador Lino Carving Tools
- Micador for Artists Lino Block Printing Inks
- Micador Hard Rubber Rollers
- Glass or acetate sheet (for rolling ink)
- Grey Lead Pencil
- Permanent Marker
- Palette knife (for mixing inks)
- Paper towel (optional)
Step 1: Draw or trace your lines
Using a graphite pencil, draw or trace your koala design onto the lino.
Step 2: Go over with permanent marker
Once you’re happy with your design, use a permanent marker to draw over your pencil lines. NOTE: We use a Micador Stay Anywhere Permanent Pen so that the lines don’t wash away after inking the lino in the first stage of printing.
Step 3: Start cutting
Begin by cutting out all the parts that are to remain white. For example; nose, around the eyes, fur and tree highlights. Use the small 'V' shaped tool for this precision cutting. NOTE: Our first print will be the background with our white areas reversed out.
Step 4: Mix inks
Mix your ink colour. We made several colours including pink, green and mustard. Feel free to experiment with mixing unique colours.
Step 5: Roll your inks
Using your roller on a smooth surface, roll your ink. Ensure your roller is evenly covered. Then roll your ink onto your cut lino. Note: We used a glass panel, but a sheet of acetate on a flat surface will work just as well.
Step 6: Line up your paper and print your first colour
Take time to ensure your paper is positioned to print precisely where you want it. Carefully place your paper onto your inked lino. Use a rubber roller and firmly roll over the paper to transfer the ink onto the paper. Carefully lift your paper from the lino and you will see your print! Repeat this step for the amount of prints you would like. We made 10 koala prints. Allow to dry for at least 3 hours. NOTE: if you don’t have a rubber roller use a spoon, your hand or something smooth and flat to rub the paper.
Step 7: Wash
Wash your roller and glass or acetate in preparation for the second colour. Notice the black lines of the permanent marker remain on the lino as a guide for further cutting.
Step 8: Second cutting
Now it’s time cut away the areas you want to remain pink. In this piece we want a large portion of the background to stay pink. We use the wide ‘U’ shaped tool for cutting out this large area.
Step 9: Roll black ink
Using your roller on a smooth surface, roll with black ink. Roll your black ink onto your cut lino.
