Lino cutting is one of those crafts that gets under your skin. There's something deeply satisfying about carving into a block, rolling ink across the surface and pressing it onto paper to reveal a print that's entirely your own. If you've been thinking about giving it a go , or you've already caught the bug and want to go further, here's a guide to the different courses we offer from our Shropshire studio, and how to choose the right one for you.
Best for: Complete beginners | Format: Single session
If you've never picked up a lino tool before, this is where to start. Our Introduction to Lino Cut & Printmaking workshop covers everything from the basics of carving and tool safety to inking up your block and pulling your first print.
By the end of the session you'll have a finished print to take home and a solid grounding in the fundamentals. It's a relaxed, friendly session, no experience required, and no artistic background needed. If you can hold a pencil, you can do this.
Choose this if: You're curious about lino cutting and want to try it before committing to a longer course, or you're looking for a creative day out with a tangible result.
Best for: Those with some lino experience | Format: Single session
The Jigsaw Lino Cutting Workshop introduces a clever and satisfying technique: you cut your block into interlocking pieces, ink each piece in a different colour, reassemble the jigsaw and print the whole thing in one press. The result is a beautifully multi-coloured print made from a single block, no registration required.
It's a wonderfully accessible way to explore colour printing, and the jigsaw method has a pleasing logic to it that makes the process feel almost like a puzzle as much as a craft.
Choose this if: You've done some lino cutting before and want to explore colour in a single session, without the complexity of registering multiple separate blocks.
Best for: Those ready to work with multiple blocks | Format: Single session
The Multiblock Lino Cutting Workshop takes colour printing a step further. Rather than cutting a single block into pieces, you carve separate blocks, one for each colour, and print them in layers to build up a multi-colour image. This gives you greater control over your design and opens up more complex compositional possibilities.
You'll learn how to plan a design across multiple blocks, how to register your prints accurately so the layers align, and how to think about colour and layering from the outset.
Choose this if: You're comfortable with lino cutting basics and want to develop a more considered, layered approach to colour printing with greater design flexibility than the jigsaw method allows.
Best for: Those ready to go deeper | Format: Three evening sessions
The reduction technique is one of the most exciting, and irreversible, methods in lino printing. You start with a single block, print the lightest colour first, then carve away more of the block and print the next colour on top. The process continues until the final, darkest layer is printed. Because you keep carving away the same block, there's no going back, which makes it wonderfully focused and a little thrilling.
Our Lino Cut Reduction Course runs across three evening sessions, giving you time to work through the process properly, let layers dry between sessions, and really get to grips with the technique. You'll leave with a finished reduction print and a deep understanding of how the method works.
Choose this if: You're comfortable with the basics of lino cutting and want to commit to a more involved project over multiple sessions. This course suits people who want to develop their printmaking practice seriously.
Best for: Regular makers who want a creative community | Format: Ongoing sessions
Print Club is something a little different. Rather than a structured course with a set outcome, Print Club is a regular open session for people who want dedicated time and space to make, with guidance on hand when you need it.
Whether you're working on a new lino design, experimenting with a technique you've been meaning to try, or simply want the company of other makers, Print Club gives you the time, the tools and the encouragement to get on with it. It's become a firm favourite for people who've done one of our courses and want to keep the momentum going.
Choose this if: You already have some printmaking experience and you're looking for a regular creative practice rather than a one-off workshop. It's also a lovely way to meet other makers.
Here's a quick summary to help you decide:
All of our workshops take place in our Shropshire studio, with all materials provided, plenty of tea and cake, and a relaxed atmosphere where there's no such thing as a wrong print. We'd love to have you.
Browse all our workshop experiences and book your place online.
Not sure which lino cutting tools to buy? We break down the options, from Pfeil to Essdee, and explain why trying a variety in one of our Shropshire workshops is the smartest first step before spending on kit.
