Lino Printing

I experimented with lino printing as I have never done this before and thought that I could use the final piece in my chocolate packaging. I chose a design I liked, which was a Koi Carp, and cut into the lino block with a sharp lino tool. This is so that when ink is placed onto the block it does not go into the cut out lines so when printed an image is created. 

I placed black ink on a tray and ensured I had two rollers, paper and newspaper. This was so I could use one roller to roll the ink onto the block and another to roll over the upside down block so to press it down onto the paper. The newspaper is so to make sure I don't get ink on the table.

I flipped the block upside down so that the ink side was placed on the paper. Make sure not to move it otherwise it will smear so hold it firmly and still.

I then rolled over the block with a roller pressing down the ink so the ensure I get a clear design from the ink. 

I then removed the block to reveal my ink design. As you can see none of the ink has gone inside the lines so creating a clear image of my Koi Carp. Even though a blotchy effect has appeared, perhaps from the ink being uneven, this will add to the effect of the design. 

To edit the colours and neaten the print up I scanned the piece in to Photoshop so I could begin changing the design.

First of all I changed the background colour using the fill tool and selecting colours that would match well with the print of a Koi Carp

Below is my final lino print design which I have edited on Photoshop. I added colour and detail so to enhance the print and make it stand out and realistic to a fish. I will use this print on my Asian chocolate packaging as a element among all the other images. I could also produce another lino print and/or create another Koi Carp by choosing different colours and emphasising the oriental theme more by using reds and golds.