- DIY
- How To Make Linocut Christmas Cards
How To Make Linocut Christmas Cards
Making your own Christmas cards shows you've really made an effort. Here's how to make lino cut ones. If making them with kids, you deal with the sharp bits and let them do the printing.
By Kirstie Allsopp
- Lino block
- Cutters
- Ink
- Rollers
- Cards
If you don't have a press to transfer the ink from the lino onto the paper, you can use the back of a spoon
Skill
Easy. I wouldn't call myself artistic, but I found lino cutting quite simple. Your design doesn't have to be perfect - I love the handmade look of these cards.
Budget
You can buy a basic box of tricks in craft shops for less than £12, which will do all your cards - and of course, you can use the kit in years to come.
Time
Depends how many cards you're making! Put an afternoon aside.
Step One: Choose A Design
For those of us whose artistic talents extend no further than painting our faces, lino cutting is the perfect craft. I’ve chosen what I hope will be a simple design - a red snowflake. The first step is to draw the design in pencil onto the lino.
Step Two: Cut Out the Design
Using cutters, the design is formed by gouging out small trenches in the lino’s surface. The ink won’t stick to the cut out parts, so when it’s printed, they will appear white on the card.
Step Three: Ink the Design
Next, cut the shape out and ink it, using a roller.
Step Four: Press Onto the Paper
Put your lino shape onto your card and transfer it to the press, which pushes the ink evenly onto the paper. If you don’t have a press, rubbing the back of the spoon over the paper will work just as well.
Step Five: Enjoy the Finished Card
The very first Christmas card was designed by a Devonshire artist in 1843 and pictured a family, children included, enjoying a festive tipple. My little snowflake is a much more sober image but I’m glad that I’ve played my part in bringing this wonderful tradition back home to Devon.
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