Printmaking 101: A Beginner’s Introduction to Relief Printing, Screen Printing, Intaglio, and More

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.

Printmaking can be simple, satisfying, and surprisingly approachable.
This Printmaking 101 overview explains the main printmaking families, with a clear focus on relief printing and screen printing.
You will also find a few “starter setups” with direct links to inks, paper, and tools available at Art Noise.

Printmaking Supplies Lino Block Printing Silk Screening

Speedball - Aluminum Frame - 230 Yellow Mesh Monofilament Silk Screen - 20x24" - Art Noise Speedball - Aluminum Frame - 230 Yellow Mesh Monofilament Silk Screen - 20x24" Speedball Printmaking art-noise.myshopify.com speedball-aluminum-frame-230-yellow-mesh-monofilament-silk-screen-20x24

Printmaking 101: what printmaking is, and why relief printing is a great place to start

Printmaking is any process where you create an image on a surface (a block, a screen, a plate, and more), ink it, then transfer that image onto paper or another material. The fun part is that you can repeat the transfer and build a small edition, experiment with colour, or refine the same design across multiple pulls.

If you are new, start simple. At Art Noise, the most approachable entry point for many artists is relief printing, where the raised surface is what prints. That is why you will see relief-focused essentials (blocks, cutters, inks, brayers, and hand-pressure tools) featured so prominently in our Printmaking Supplies collection and our dedicated Lino Block Printing collection.

Want the clearest, step-by-step overview before you buy anything? Start with our in-depth guide to relief printing techniques, types, examples, and supplies, then come back here to choose a method and build a starter setup that matches your space and your goals.

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The big printmaking families, explained: relief printing, screen printing, intaglio, and more

Most printmaking processes fit into a few “families”. Knowing the family helps you choose the right tools, ink, and paper, and it makes printmaking feel a lot less mysterious.

Relief printing (linocut, woodcut, stamp-style printing)

In relief printing, the parts you do not want to print are cut away, leaving the raised surface to receive ink. You roll ink on with a brayer, then transfer the image by hand or with a press. If linocut is your goal, the fastest path is to browse Lino Block Printing and pair it with a reliable ink range like Impressions Block Printing Ink.

Screen printing (silk screening)

In screen printing, ink is pushed through a mesh screen onto the paper (or other material), while a stencil blocks the areas you want to stay blank. This method shines for bold shapes, flat colour, and graphic poster-style work. If you want to explore this side of printmaking, head to Silk Screening for screens, squeegees, and related materials.

Intaglio and planographic printing (quick orientation)

Intaglio is the opposite of relief, the ink sits in recessed lines or textures and transfers under pressure. Planographic methods (like lithography) rely on surface chemistry rather than raised or recessed areas. You do not need to master these first, but knowing they exist helps you understand why different inks, papers, and pressure tools matter.

Paper and ink choices are not “one size fits all”

Even before you get technical, you will notice that paper can change everything. If you want to compare options, explore dedicated papers made for printing in Printmaking Paper, and for lighter-weight sheets and different handling, browse Japanese Paper. For inks, our Printing Ink collection is a useful hub for colour-led browsing.

Speedball Red Baron Unmounted Lino Gray (Various Sizes) - Art Noise Speedball Red Baron Unmounted Lino Gray (Various Sizes) Speedball Linoleum for Printmaking art-noise.myshopify.com speedball-red-baron-unmounted-lino-gray-various-sizes Speedball Red Baron Unmounted Lino Gray (Various Sizes) Speedball Linoleum for Printmaking art-noise.myshopify.com speedball-red-baron-unmounted-lino-gray-various-sizes

Three starter setups: relief printing, screen printing, and a paper-first practice kit

Here are three realistic ways to start, based on the tools and supplies available in our printmaking collections. Pick one that matches your space, your patience level, and the kind of images you want to make.

Starter setup 1: Relief printing at a kitchen table

Carve: Start with a simple cutter set like Speedball #1 Lino Cutter Assortment so you can try a few mark types without overbuying.
Ink evenly: A brayer is the difference between blotchy and clean. The Speedball 4" Pop In Plastic Brayer is built for smooth, even coverage on blocks and plates.
Print by hand: If you are not using a press, add steady pressure with a baren like the Speedball Baren to improve ink transfer and consistency.
Choose an ink you will actually use: For a classic first pull, start with Impressions Block Printing Ink - Black, then expand into colour once your inking and pressure feel predictable.

Starter setup 2: Screen printing, without needing a full studio

Make a stencil quickly: For an approachable entry point, Speedball Speed Screens (3 pack) are designed for creating permanent photo-style stencils at home.
Control the print area: A squeegee like the Speedball 9" Red Baron Squeegee helps you push ink through the mesh with consistent pressure.
Block out a simple shape: For direct block-out approaches, Speedball Screen Filler is one of the classic supplies used in stencil-based screen workflows.

Starter setup 3: Paper-first practice for better results faster

Proof and learn: Pick a paper from Printmaking Paper so you can do small test pulls and see what your brayer load and pressure are really doing.
Try thinner sheets too: Add a small variety from Japanese Paper if you want to explore different surfaces and responsiveness.

Your next steps: a simple Printmaking 101 learning path (plus practical shop info)

If you feel pulled in five directions, use this path. It keeps your first week of printmaking focused, and it makes it easier to improve from print to print.

Choose one method for now. If you want fast results and clear “cause and effect,” start with relief printing. If you want bold shapes and graphic colour, aim at screen printing.
Make one small design. Keep it simple enough that you can finish a first print in one sitting. Small wins teach you more than a huge block you never finish.
Do three test pulls. Change only one variable each time (ink amount, pressure, paper choice), then keep the best one as your reference.
Upgrade only after a repeatable result. Once you can get one clean print on purpose, that is the time to expand your ink colours, paper options, or screen tools.

When you are ready to shop, start with Printmaking Supplies to see the full ecosystem, then narrow down by method. For delivery details (including free shipping thresholds and current destinations), check our Shipping Policy. For returns and exceptions, refer to our Refund Policy. If you are local and want to learn in a community setting, keep an eye on our Events Calendar.