How to make linocut prints with two colours or more
Updated: Oct 9
There are four main techniques to make linocut prints with more than one colour.
Reduction lino print
Multi-block lino print
Jigsaw lino print
Hand-coloured lino print
Reduction lino print Multi block lino print Jigsaw lino print Hand coloured lino print
What is a reduction linocut print?
Reduction linocut is a block-printing method in which each colour layer is carved from the same lino block. Artists carve part of the design into the block and print it. The process is repeated for each colour layer. Artists often print from lightest to darkest, with the lightest colours printed first and the darkest last, often referred to as a ‘sabotage’ print.
Advantages
The advantage of this method is that registration (how each colour layer lines up) is easier.
Disadvantages
The block is destroyed as each layer is carved. Once the edition is printed, you can’t print more.
Examples
Reduction lino print design Carving block for colour 1 Colour 1 reduction print Carving block for colour 2 Colour 2 reduction print Carving block for colour 3 Colour 3 reduction print Finished print
What is a multi-block linocut print?
Multi-block linocut is a block printing method that uses more than one piece of lino to create a design. Often, each colour is carved onto a separate lino block. I now use the multi-block method for all my multi-coloured prints.
Advantages
The advantage of this method is that you can print part of the edition and return later to print more.
The lino block isn’t destroyed as with the reduction print technique.
You can test-print the design first and adjust the lino blocks and colours before printing the final edition.
Disadvantages
As the design is carved into several blocks, it can be harder to register it accurately.
Learn how to make linocut prints
Online courses and workshops
Multi-block linocut print example
I made this 3-colour hare linocut print for my How to make a multi-block linocut print online course. The images below show the individually carved lino blocks and the lino print as each layer was printed. I printed light to dark.
Multi-block linocut block 1 Multi-block linocut print 1 Multi-block linocut block 2 Multi-block linocut print 2 Multi-block linocut block 3 Multi-block linocut print 3 Multi-block linocut print Multi-block linocut print
Examples of my multi-block lino prints
Ingleborough lino print 
Staithes lino print 
Nidderdale lino print 
Curlew lino print 
Lealholm lino print 
Whitby Steps lino print 
Swaledale II lino print 
Malham Cove lino print
Multi-block print example: How Swaledale II is made.
The images below show the carved lino block, inked-up block, and corresponding printed layers that make up the final print. To create the print, each inked-up lino block is printed on top of the previous colour.
Lino block 1 Inked block 1 Lino print 1 Lino block 2 Inked block 2 Lino print 2 Lino block 3 Inked block 3 Lino print 3 Lino block 4 Inked block 4 Lino print 4 Lino block 5 Inked block 5 Swaledale - Lino print 5
What is a ‘Jigsaw’ linocut print?
Separate pieces of lino are ‘jigsawed’ together to create one design. The jigsaw technique lets you ink a design in multiple colours and print it in one go. The design is carved into one lino block. It is then cut into separate pieces for each colour in the design. Each piece is inked separately and reassembled like a jigsaw before laying the paper on top to print the design.
This is the method I first used when I started lino printing in multiple colours.
Advantages
You can ink a design in multiple colours and print it in one go.
Less planning.
Disadvantages
The jigsaw pieces can move in a roller or etching press, so this method suits hand-burnishing better.
It suits plastic lino better, as traditional lino is likely to deteriorate at the edges.
Each colour needs to be a manageable shape and size.
Each colour needs to be a separate, manageable shape and size that will jigsaw back together easily.
Examples of my early linocut prints
Softcut jigsaw lino blocks 1 Inked jigsaw lino blocks 1 
Softcut jigsaw lino print 1 
Softcut jigsaw lino print 2 
Softcut jigsaw lino blocks 2 
Softcut jigsaw lino print 3 
Softcut jigsaw lino blocks 3 Softcut jigsaw lino blocks 4 
Softcut jigsaw lino print 4
Examples of students' linocut prints from my workshops
Carved jigsaw lino blocks 1 
Inked jigsaw lino blocks 1 
Jigsaw lino print - turtle 
Carved jigsaw lino blocks 2 
Inked jigsaw lino blocks 2 
Jigsaw lino print - octopus 
Carved jigsaw lino blocks 3 
Inked jigsaw lino blocks 3 
Jigsaw lino print - squirrel 
Jigsaw lino print - flowers 
Jigsaw lino print - building 
Jigsaw lino print - flower 
Jigsaw lino print - view 
Jigsaw lino print - seed heads 
Jigsaw lino print - landscape
What is a hand-coloured linocut print?
A design is printed in one colour, and you add additional colours by hand-painting with watercolour, inks, or another painting medium such as Brusho.
The design must be printed in oil-based ink so it doesn't bleed when you paint the water-based colours on by hand.
I first used this method when I started lino printing.
Advantages
You carve and print from one lino block, so there are no registration issues.
Disadvantages
The method is not suitable for printing using water-based inks.
Watercolours, inks and Brusho are not always as lightfast as printmaking inks. Check with the individual manufacturers about their colours.
The paper may buckle if you hand-colour large areas. You can overcome this by stretching the paper.
Examples of students' lino prints from my beginner's linocut workshops
Inking lino print 1 Printing lino print 1 Hand coloured lino print 6 Painting lino print 6 Hand coloured lino print 1 Hand coloured lino print 2 Painting lino print 3 Hand coloured lino print 3 Hand coloured lino print 4 Painting lino print 5 Hand coloured lino print 5 Painting lino print 7
Linocut and printmaking tools and materials
Find out more about the tools and equipment needed to create linocut prints in my 'lino cutting equipment' blog.
Would you like to learn how to make a linocut print?
Whether you’re completely new to linocut or ready to develop your skills, I offer online linocut courses and hands-on workshops in York to help you learn at your own pace.
Linocut Online Courses
Learn from home with step-by-step video lessons, guided projects and online support.
Beginner’s Guide to Linocut Printing: Learn the basics and make your first one-colour linocut print.
How to Make a Multi-Block Linocut Print: Build your skills and learn how to create colourful multi-block prints.
Linocut Workshops in York
Join me in my York garden studio for a relaxed, hands-on linocut workshop. Classes are kept small, with a maximum of four people, so there’s plenty of individual tuition and time to ask questions.
Level 1: Introduction to Linocut Printing
Level 2: “Jigsaw” Linocut Printing
Level 3: Multi-Block Linocut Printing
My book: Printing Birds and Wildlife in Linocut
Printing Birds and Wildlife in Linocut by Michelle Hughes is a practical, step-by-step guide to creating your own linocut prints. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced printmaker, the book covers everything from simple one-colour prints to jigsaw, reduction and multi-block techniques, with plenty of guidance to help you develop your own ideas and confidence.
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About Michelle
I’m Michelle Hughes, a North Yorkshire landscape artist and printmaker based in York. My original linocut prints are inspired by the Yorkshire Coast, Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors and the wider British countryside.
I gather ideas and take photographs while walking and cycling, then bring them back to my garden studio in York. I simplify my photographs into bold, stylised designs, carve them into lino blocks and hand-print each limited edition on my etching press using oil-based inks.
What a great tutorial. Your work is beautiful and so inspiring. thank you! (from Jo Gee Textile Art)