How to Make Your Own Linocut Christmas Cards
Would you like to make your own handmade Christmas cards this year? If you enjoy getting creative and making something a little different for friends and family, why not try linocut printing?
I love making Christmas cards using linocut, and I’m pleased to say that I’ve added four new Christmas card designs to my online course, Beginner’s Guide to Linocut Printing.
Over the summer, I’ve been filming new instructional videos and updating the course, so you can now learn how to make your own festive prints alongside the nature-inspired designs already included.
Whether you’re completely new to printmaking or have been curious about trying linocut for a while, it’s a lovely way to learn a new skill and create something personal to send to friends and family this Christmas.
Four new linocut Christmas card designs
The new projects will guide you through making four festive designs, from carving your lino block to hand-printing your finished design.
You’ll learn how to create your own linocut Christmas cards, with step-by-step video instructions to help you through the process.
There’s something particularly satisfying about making a batch of Christmas cards yourself. Once you’ve carved your design, you can print multiple copies from the same block, giving you a set of handmade cards to send to friends and family.
And because each card is printed by hand, every one has its own character.
You can learn to make more than Christmas cards
The Christmas card projects add to the nature-themed designs already included in my Beginner’s Guide to Linocut Printing.
Along with festive prints, you can learn to make linocuts inspired by birds, wildlife, plants and flowers. Each of the projects will help you develop your carving and printing skills while experimenting with different designs.
You don’t need to tackle everything at once, either. The course is self-paced, so you can work through the lessons in your own time and return to them whenever you need a refresher.
What do you need to make linocut Christmas cards?
One of the nice things about getting started with linocut printing is that you don’t need a printing press or lots of expensive equipment.
For the Christmas card projects, you’ll need some basic printmaking supplies:
A lino cutting tool set
A lino block (I’ve used Essdee SoftCut lino)
Relief-printing ink (water-based or oil-based ink)
Paper for printing
Blank greeting cards
A roller (also known as a brayer) for applying the ink
A wooden spoon for transferring the ink from the block to the paper
You’ll learn the basics of carving and printing as you work through the course, with videos showing you how to approach each stage.
If you’re new to linocut, don’t worry. The Beginner’s Guide to Linocut Printing is designed to introduce you to the process step by step, so you can build your confidence as you go.
Learn linocut printing at your own pace
My online course is designed to help you learn from home, whenever it suits you. You can pause the videos, replay demonstrations and take as much time as you need to complete each project.
You’ll also receive one year’s access to the course, along with access to my online community, monthly Zoom Q&A sessions and direct email support if you need a helping hand.
I know that trying a new craft can sometimes feel a little daunting, particularly when you’re learning from home, so I want you to feel supported as you develop your skills.
And who knows? Once you’ve made your Christmas cards, you might find yourself looking for more things to print!
Ready to make your own handmade Christmas cards?
If you’d like to try linocut printing this autumn, the new Christmas card projects are a great place to start. You’ll learn the basics of this satisfying printmaking technique and create your own handmade cards along the way.
You can also explore the course's nature-inspired projects and keep developing your skills long after Christmas.
Find out more about my Beginner’s Guide to Linocut Printing and start making your own linocut prints at home.
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.
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