“Linoleum may be a substitute for wood, but it is a medium in itself worthy of the consideration of the best block printers.”

— Perry, R. W 1883

Linocut printmaking is an artistic process. Specifically, a linocut is a type of relief print. The artist first carves an image into a block of linoleum, then ink is rolled onto the uncut surface of the block and, finally, paper is laid on top of the block and pressure is applied to produce a print. It’s also known as a lino print or linoleum block print.

Linoleum was invented by Frederick Walton (UK) in the mid-1800’s, first patenting the material in 1860. At that time, its main use was that of a floor material, and later in the 1800’s as actual wallpaper. However, by the 1890’s artists had started to use it as an artistic medium.

​The list of famous artists who contributed to the art form in its first 50-60 years is long, but they include Edward Bawden, Pablo Picasso, Sybil Andrews, Claude Flight, Frances Gearhart, Leopoldo Mendez, William Rice, and Lill Tschudi, just to name a few.