Relief Printing Supplies: The Minimal Starter Kit for Linocut (and Smart Upgrades)

December 7, 2025

Written by: The Art Noise Team

The Art Noise Team shares practical guides on art materials, studio workflow, and techniques, written for working artists and beginners alike. Our content is grounded in day-to-day conversations with artists in Kingston, Ontario, and focuses on helping you choose supplies with confidence.

Relief printing is a fast way to turn a drawing into repeatable prints.
Shop linoleum blocks, cutters, brayers, barens, and a deep range of Impressions block printing ink colours.
Pair it with printmaking paper (or Japanese paper for a different feel) and you are ready to carve, ink, and print.

Printmaking Ink Printmaking Paper Printmaking Supplies

Speedball Red Baron Lino Block (Mounted) Grey (Various SIzes) - Art Noise Speedball Red Baron Lino Block (Mounted) Grey (Various SIzes) Speedball Printmaking art-noise.myshopify.com speedball-red-baron-lino-block-mounted-grey-various-sizes Speedball Red Baron Lino Block (Mounted) Grey (Various SIzes) Speedball Printmaking art-noise.myshopify.com speedball-red-baron-lino-block-mounted-grey-various-sizes

What this collection is, and who it’s for

If you want to carve a design and print it multiple times, linocut and block printing is a practical place to start. This collection brings together the core workflow pieces, block materials, carving tools, ink, rollers, and hand-pressure tools, in one spot.

New to relief printing, or teaching it in a classroom. Start with a small block, a basic cutter, one brayer, one ink colour, and a simple pressure tool, then build from there. For a quick overview of the process, see our relief printing guide.

Shop Lino Block Printing

How to choose, 4 quick shopper paths

Path 1: Minimal starter kit, pick a carveable block, one cutter, one brayer, one ink colour, and a baren. Add paper and you are printing.

Path 2: Colour builder, if you want a palette, start with Impressions block printing ink, then add blocks and tools around it.

Path 3: Paper-focused, if you care most about feel and detail, start with printmaking paper, then match ink and pressure tools to it.

Path 4: Expand the toolkit, if you already print and want options, browse printmaking supplies and add a second brayer size or an accessory that improves control.

If you are comparing different ink families across projects, you can also browse printing ink as a wider hub.

ABIG Lino ABIG Linoleum for Printmaking art-noise.myshopify.com abig-lino ABIG Lino ABIG Linoleum for Printmaking art-noise.myshopify.com abig-lino

Good, Better, Best, plus a clean-print checklist

Good, keep it simple: one mounted block like Speedball Red Baron Lino Block (Mounted), one brayer like Speedball 4" Pop In Plastic Brayer, and one ink colour.

Better, add comfort and coverage: a second roller size such as Speedball Metal Frame Soft Rubber Brayer, plus more paper for proofing.

Best, improve consistency: print by hand with a Speedball Baren, and choose a block size that matches your edition goal.

Roll out a thin, even ink layer before you ink the block.
Print a quick proof first, then adjust ink amount and pressure.
Work in overlapping passes with steady pressure, especially on edges and solid shapes.
Wipe and clean tools soon after printing so ink does not dry on rollers.

If you want a softer carving feel, consider a block option like Jack Richeson Mounted Easy Cut Lino.

Pairing suggestions, and what to try next

For paper variety, try Japanese paper alongside printmaking sheets, it can change the feel of hand pressure and texture. If you want to do more testing and proofing, add a stack of printmaking paper so you are not precious with your early pulls.

Ready to start. Explore the full Lino Block Printing collection, and if you are ordering online, review our shipping policy before checkout.

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