Why do some prints scream boldness while others whisper with soft, dreamy textures?

Let’s crack the code on these two epic printmaking techniques!

By the end of this article, you’ll know:

• Why one printmaking method is all about bold, punchy designs, while the other brings dreamy, delicate details to life.
• The process behind both techniques, from carving into linoleum like a pro to sketching directly onto smooth stone.
• Which method is perfect for your own creative projects or art collection.

No matter your skill level, you’re about to get the inside scoop on two game-changing ways to make art—each with its own killer style.

What is Linocut? (A.K.A. The Bold and the Beautiful)

Linocut is the badass, hands-on, DIY rebel of printmaking. It’s a relief printing method, which is just a fancy way of saying that an artist carves away parts of a linoleum block, leaving behind raised surfaces that hold ink like a champ.

When the inked block is pressed onto paper, voilà! You’ve got yourself a print.

If you’ve ever made a potato stamp as a kid, congratulations—you’ve already dabbled in relief printing. Linocut is just the grown-up, artsy version of that.

How Linocut Works (Super Simple Version):

1. Carving – Grab your favorite carving tool and start hacking away at the linoleum block like a printmaking pro. The parts you cut away won’t hold ink, so they’ll stay white in the final print.
2. Inking – Roll some ink onto the raised areas using a brayer (a fancy roller). Think of it like buttering toast, but with ink.
3. Printing – Press a sheet of paper onto the inked block and either rub it by hand (old-school) or use a press (fancy). Boom—your print is born!

What Makes Linocut Special?

• Bold, graphic, and high-contrast – If you love striking, eye-catching designs, linocut is your jam.
• Visible carving marks – The little imperfections from carving add texture and character to every print.
• Handmade charm – Each print is inked and pressed individually, so no two are exactly alike.
• Great for beginners – Compared to other printmaking methods, linocut is relatively easy to pick up (and highly addictive).

Where You’ll See Linocut Prints:

• Fine art galleries (artists LOVE this method)
• Book illustrations (think classic children’s books)
• Handmade greeting cards and posters

Linocut is actually a cousin of woodcut printing, but since linoleum is softer than wood, it’s easier to carve.

Artists like Henri Matisse and Picasso took this method and ran with it, creating some seriously iconic work.

Linocut in a Nutshell

Feature	What Makes It Special
Technique	Carving away at a linoleum block to make bold prints
Look & Style	High-contrast, punchy designs that’ll grab your attention
Material Used	Linoleum (softer and easier to carve than wood)
Carving Required?	Yep, you’ll be hacking away with carving tools!
Color Options	Typically just one or a few colors
Difficulty Level	Perfect for beginners and DIY enthusiasts
Best For	Bold, striking designs that stand out

What is Lithography? (A.K.A. The Smooth Operator)

Lithography is the cool, sophisticated cousin of linocut. If linocut is all about bold, graphic carving, lithography is about drawing—literally.

Instead of cutting into a surface, artists draw directly onto a smooth stone or metal plate using a greasy crayon or ink.

Here’s where the magic happens: Water and oil don’t mix. Once the drawing is finished, a chemical solution is applied that ensures the ink sticks only to the drawn areas while the rest repels it.

That means no carving—just smooth, painterly prints with incredible detail.

How Lithography Works (Without the Science Lecture):

1. Drawing – The artist sketches an image onto a specially prepared stone or metal plate with a greasy crayon or ink.
2. Chemical Treatment – A solution is applied to make sure only the drawn areas attract ink, while blank areas repel it.
3. Inking & Printing – The plate is moistened with water to keep the blank areas ink-free, then rolled with oil-based ink before getting pressed onto paper—hello, masterpiece!

Why Lithography is Awesome:

• Super detailed & realistic – Unlike linocut, which thrives on bold lines, lithography lets artists create soft shading, gradients, and delicate textures.
• Painterly effects – If you love prints that look like hand-drawn paintings or charcoal sketches, lithography is your jam.
• Great for large editions – Since the plate doesn’t wear down as quickly as linoleum, artists can produce more prints with consistent quality.
• Used in commercial printing – Ever seen a vintage poster or a fancy illustrated book? That’s lithography in action!

Where You’ll See Lithographs:

• Fine art prints – Famous artists like Toulouse-Lautrec used lithography to create iconic posters.
• High-end book illustrations – Many classic books feature lithographic prints.
• Historic newspapers & posters – Lithography was a major player in early mass printing.

Lithography 101: What You Need to Know

Feature	What Makes It Special
Technique	Drawing directly onto a stone or metal plate – no carving here!
Look & Style	Soft, painterly textures with lots of detail
Material Used	Limestone or metal plate (smooth, baby!)
Carving Required?	Nope, just some good old-fashioned drawing!
Color Options	Multiple colors for vibrant, detailed prints
Difficulty Level	A little more advanced, but totally worth it
Best For	Prints with delicate shading and realistic details

Print Battle: Which Artistic Technique Matches Your Energy?

Shopping for art? Curious about the magic behind these prints?

Here’s the ultimate cheat sheet to find out which style fits your vibe!

Feature	Linocut	Lithograph
Material Used	Linoleum block	Limestone or metal plate
Technique	Carved relief printing (cutting into the surface)	Planographic printing (drawing-based, no carving)
Look & Style	Bold, graphic, high-contrast	Soft, detailed, painterly
Color Options	Usually one or a few colors	Can handle multiple colors easily
Difficulty Level	Beginner-friendly – great for DIY & artists just starting out	More advanced – requires chemicals & special tools
Best For	Expressive, punchy designs with strong lines	Delicate, realistic artwork with shading & depth
Famous Artists	Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse	Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Alphonse Mucha

Breaking It Down for Beginners

• Linocut is for you if… you love bold, striking artwork with high contrast and strong textures. It’s easier to learn, doesn’t require fancy equipment, and is a favorite for DIY artists, handmade prints, and expressive designs.
• Lithography is for you if… you prefer detailed, painterly effects that look like hand-drawn artwork. It’s more complex, involves chemistry (ooh, science!), and is great for soft shading and intricate textures.

Which One Should You Choose?

Still undecided?

Let’s break it down even further:

• Go for linocut if… you love bold, graphic designs and want something that feels hands-on and artistic. It’s beginner-friendly, easy to experiment with, and perfect for handmade, limited-edition pieces. Want artwork that screams handcrafted charm? This method lets you see every groove and mark made by the artist.
• Go for lithography if… you’re drawn to soft shading, rich textures, and highly detailed images. Lithographs have a painterly, delicate quality that makes them feel almost like hand-drawn pieces. If you love classic posters, vintage book illustrations, or art with a smooth, refined finish, lithography is your best bet.
• If you’re buying art… linocut prints tend to be more handmade and available in smaller editions, meaning they can feel more personal and unique. Lithographs, on the other hand, can be printed in larger, more consistent editions, making them a great option if you’re looking for a collectible that captures the artist’s vision with incredible precision.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, both techniques have a long history and a special place in the art world.

Whether you vibe with bold, high-contrast prints or dreamy, detailed designs, either way, you’re scoring a seriously cool piece of art.