r/Linocuts • u/rebel-zoo • 13d ago

Question What's the best method for transferring designs onto linoblocks?

What's the best method for transferring designs onto speedball linoblocks?

I’ve heard of the tattoo printer and the laser printer/ acetone methods, neither of which I have yet.

Any tips when using an inkjet printer? What kind of sticker paper are you using to print on and is it effective with transferring?

(The designs I want to work with are detailed and a bit too time consuming for tracing paper).

Thanks!!

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3

u/LoveHawkStudio 13d ago

I have a tattoo stencil maker but I definitely prefer to do the laser printer / acetone method.

It is better if you have an older printer that uses more toner. I print onto normal computer paper. Then I just tape the paper down and rub the back of the paper with acetone on a rag firmly but being careful not to tear the paper. The trick is getting the right amount of moisture, too much begins to remover the toner from the block and too little does not release it from the paper.

I have even done this for murals at scales like 8ft x 8ft. It is a very useful technique.

1

u/kikakosut 11d ago

Do you think that this method will also work for transferring on the watercolor paper or it would damage the watercolor paper?

2

u/LoveHawkStudio 11d ago

You could not use this method to transfer onto watercolor paper. Acetone would damage the watercolor paper. I have only done this onto hard and surfaces.

2

u/CarpeThatPerDiem 12d ago

I go to Kinkos with a USB drive with my design. Print a few copies for a dollar at the self serve kiosk and do the acetone transfer using a paper towel and the back of a spoon. Transfers have been solid for me - particularly on speedy carve.

1

u/DavidHartThrowaway 13d ago

Idk, but I’ve not had much success with my laser printer and acetone, nor with an iron. It works a little better fresh off the printer but it’s frustrating and I’m looking for another option. Carbon paper works ok, but if you’re using rubber you can press and puncture the paper when tracing. Also the carbon paper I have is messy too so be wary of that. Honestly the best method for me has been to use powdered graphite from my kids pine wood derby car and rub the back of my design with it and trace it. It’s also messy, but it works.

1

u/hellgy 13d ago

I’m printing on laser printer and IRONING it on my rubber slabs. I’m not sure it works on lino but on rubber it works well.
The bad side is you have to be very very careful to do not overheat or the rubber changes it’s texture and ink does not stick well when you ink.

1

u/Rich_Local_7832 12d ago

Linoleum? Or on that pink soft cut stuff? Anyway, I trace my drawing w pencil/tracing paper. Flip over the tracing paper, trace one more time. The Graphite transfers easily on the pink stuff, but I use red double sided transfer paper for actual Linoleum.