Printmaking for Beginners: Everything You Need to Know to Get Started

What Is Printmaking and Why Try It?

Printmaking for beginners is a rewarding entry point into a hands-on art form that combines technique with experimentation. It involves transferring ink from a surface — such as lino, perspex, copper, or wood — onto paper. From fine details to bold graphic lines, printmaking gives artists the chance to work with texture, layering, and repetition.

The process is rooted in centuries of artistic tradition and includes techniques like relief printing, intaglio, and monoprinting. Today, it’s accessible to artists at every level, with tools and materials available for both home studios and classroom settings.

Tools and Materials to Get Started

You don’t need a full studio to begin exploring printmaking. A few basic tools are enough to make your first prints:

• Printing surface – Lino, wood, perspex, or copper plates
• Cutting tools – Lino cutters, engraving needles, or etching tools
• Inks – Water-based for easy clean-up or oil-based for deeper colour
• Brayer – A roller that helps apply ink evenly to your surface
• Baren or press – For applying pressure to transfer your print
• Paper – Smooth, absorbent paper specifically made for printmaking

How to Print with Lino, Perspex, Copper, and Wood

Each surface has its own feel and characteristics. Here’s what to expect:

Lino

Soft, affordable, and easy to carve, lino is one of the most popular starting points for printmaking. Carve your design in reverse, roll ink across the surface, and press onto paper by hand or with a baren.

Wood

Woodcut printing produces bold, graphic lines and allows for natural textures from the grain. It takes more physical effort to carve, but the results are striking. Always cut with the grain to reduce chipping.

Perspex

Perspex is ideal for drypoint etching and monoprinting. You can scratch into the surface with an etching needle, apply ink, and wipe off excess. Pressing the plate onto dampened paper creates sharp, expressive marks.

Copper

Copper plates are used for traditional etching techniques. The design is etched using acid, filled with ink, and wiped clean so only the grooves hold colour. This method requires safety precautions but produces beautiful, precise results.

You’ll find engraving tools, cutters, and printing blocks in our Printmaking Tools.

Choosing the Right Printing Ink

The type of ink you use will influence the final look and your working process.

• Water-based inks – Easy to clean and well-suited to home environments and classrooms
• Oil-based inks – Offer strong coverage and sharper detail, but need solvents for clean-up
• Relief inks – Ideal for lino and wood blocks
• Etching inks – Formulated for metal or perspex plates

For a full range of high-quality options, including student-friendly and professional lines, browse our Printmaking Inks.

What Paper Should You Use for Printmaking?

Paper is just as important as ink or tools in creating a successful print. Here’s a simple guide:

• Lightweight (80–120gsm) – Good for detailed line work or translucent layering
• Medium weight (150–250gsm) – Ideal for most relief prints and monoprints
• Heavyweight (250–300+gsm) – Suitable for deeper embossing and more textured techniques

Always look for acid-free, absorbent paper with a smooth surface.

Inktober Meets Printmaking

Printmaking and Inktober pair beautifully. This popular October drawing challenge is a great time to create small daily prints using lino blocks, drypoint perspex plates, or ink overlays.

Here are a few Inktober-friendly ideas:

• Create a mini lino block for each daily prompt
• Use small copper or perspex plates for daily monoprints
• Layer drawn ink work with hand-printed textures

Learn and Print with Others

There’s something powerful about learning alongside fellow artists. Our Workshops and Events offer printmaking classes for all experience levels. Whether you want to improve your lino carving technique or try out metal etching for the first time, our classes give you space to experiment and grow.