LINO BLOCKS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 285, 1 December 1934, Page 7 (Supplement)

LINO BLOCKS.

PRINTING FROM THE BLOCK. ARTICLE 11. In the last article you were shown liow to cut a lino block. You wall learn now to make one-colour 'printing from the block. Using the prints, you will'bo able to make designs for Christmas cards, bookmarks, calendars, etc. For printing you will _ require to have your paper cut to size, a small quantity of printers' ink, a roller about 4in long, which may be made from a round piecc of wood having a

short strip of bicycle tube stretched over it, and large 4in nails driven into the ends to form handles, a piece of glass from which to distribute ink to the roller, and a dessert spoon. The colour of the paper will generally govern the colour of the ink to lie used, but black, dark brown or dark blue, may be used for most work. If the ink is too stiff, add a drop of paraffin or .turpentine to ease it a little, and mix well with a table knife. Smear a small amount on the glass, and' run the roller backwards and forwards over the surface until it is lightly ,but evenly covered with ink. The roller, is then paseed over the lino block two or three times in order to thoroughly ink the raised parts, which will print. Be careful not to allow the ink to get down to the cut-out portions, otherwise the print is likely to have a dirty appearance. Ink the block sparingly, rather than too thickly. A piece of the printing paper is then placed on the inked block, and is held firmly in position while the bowl part of the deesert spoon is rubbed over the back of the paper in a zig-zag movement from left to right, and up and down. Have a peep at the proof by. raising

one corner. If the colour is. rich anrl deep, the , print may be pulled, off, but if not, continue with the rubbing. - It -is well to take two or threo proofs, as they generally improve when the linoleum settles down_ to good printing condition. Each time a print is required the block must be inked. Allow the prints to dry before handling. Clean the block with turpentine after every seven or eight prints, as the ink is inclined to accumulate on the edges, and when the printing has been completed giro the block a thorough cleaning. If desired, the subject may be tinted with water coloiir, but it should be used sparingly and judiciously.-