Understanding the Materials: What Are Soft Lino Blocks and Traditional Lino?
Soft Lino Blocks: Modern Polymer for Effortless, Safe Carving
Soft lino blocks are made from a modern polymer material specifically engineered to be easier and safer to carve than old-style, linseed-based lino. At BCreativetolearn, our Super Soft Grey Lino Blocks and Transparent Super Soft Lino Blocks are designed so anyone—children, teachers, beginner artists—can jump into printmaking with confidence and minimal risk.
- Material: Non-crumbling, smooth polymer
- Use: Double-sided, forgiving to mistakes, does not require force or warming
- Availability: Various sizes from small (150x100mm) to large (300x400mm)
- Benefit: Consistent sharp lines and easier to see designs (especially on transparent blocks)
- Audience: Ideal for beginners, children, educators, and busy classrooms
Traditional Lino: The Classic, Durable Printmaker’s Choice
Traditional lino (often battleship grey lino) is made from a combination of linseed oil, cork, and a hessian fabric backing. This is the material many professional artists grew up with, and it’s loved for its unique texture and ability to reproduce extremely fine, detailed lines—if your hands are strong enough to handle it!
- Material: Linseed oil, cork dust, hessian backing
- Features: Tough, sometimes brittle; requires warming for ease of carving
- Benefit: Holds detail beautifully in skilled hands, works well for repeated runs and larger prints
- Audience: Best suited for advanced secondary, college, or professional use
Side-by-Side: Key Differences That Matter
| Feature | Soft Lino Blocks | Traditional Lino |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Carving | Very easy, minimal effort required, no warming, excellent for children and beginners | Tough, needs warming, requires force—can frustrate and tire students |
| Safety | Low risk of slips, softer to the touch, less hand pressure needed | More slips and accidents if not supervised closely Can be hazardous for young pupils |
| Detail | Excellent sharp lines for most educational projects | Ultimate crispness for very fine line work |
| Surface Durability | Does not crumble, holds up over repeated use | Can become brittle if old, surface may crack |
| Who Should Use? | Schools, children, beginners, outreach sessions, casual crafters | Experienced artists, advanced students, specialist printmakers |
| Cost and Value | Affordable packs, double-sided economy | Good value per size, but tools wear faster and need replacing more frequently |
What Does This Mean in Real Classrooms and Studios?
Our experience working directly with UK schools, art clubs, and craft groups is clear: when children or first-timers are using traditional lino, frustration can set in quickly—even before they start inking! Hand fatigue builds up, slip hazards lurk, and the fun starts to wane if designs aren’t transferring as expected. By contrast, soft lino blocks—like our Super Soft Grey Lino Block 300mm x 200mm—let students of all ages finish their carving and printing within the same lesson. Creative motivation stays high because results appear quickly, and safety worries plummet.
The Safety and Success Factor: Why Soft Lino Wins in Most School and Home Settings
- Young hands are protected. Carving tools glide without sudden give that causes slips on hard lino.
- Instant feedback means better learning. Students see quick progress, boosting confidence and enjoyment.
- Easier to correct mistakes. Designs can be erased and redesigned before printing—perfect for experimentation!
- Less mess, less waste. Soft lino doesn’t leave behind brittle crumbs or chip away at the edges.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Soft Lino Blocks
- Select the right size. For most projects, 150mm x 100mm or 200mm x 150mm gives just enough room for imagination but fits easily in smaller hands.
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Use a safe, ergonomic handle. Pair your block with sturdy tools like our Sturdy Plastic Lino Cutter Handles.
Sturdy Plastic Lino Cutter Handles - Experiment with transparent blocks. They’re amazing for layered effects and careful registration—older children love seeing their composition line up perfectly!
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Finish with the right roller. Our Hard Rubber Lino Rollers 100mm ensure even inking, helping designs print crisply.
Hard Rubber Lino Rollers 100mm
Choosing the Right Product for Your Project
At BCreativetolearn, we've carefully curated our lino block range with the express goal of balancing creativity, affordability, and safety. Our Super Soft Grey Lino Blocks 150mm x 200mm and Transparent Super Soft Lino Blocks 200mm x 150mm are popular with UK teachers for a reason—they set everyone up for success, even if nobody in the room has ever carved before.
Final Thoughts: What’s Best for Safe, Successful Printmaking?
In our experience, soft lino blocks are the best choice for nearly every educational, community, and beginner craft scenario. They remove the main frustrations of traditional lino: they’re safer, easier, and foster real creative confidence. Traditional lino will always have a home among professionals, but for young learners and enthusiastic home artists, soft lino lets the artwork—not the material—take centre stage.
Ready to get started or upgrade your printmaking toolkit? Browse our full collection of safe, classroom-friendly lino blocks and tools—sourced and tested for performance in real UK schools and studios. If you have questions, feel free to reach out—we love helping teachers, parents, and new creatives discover the joy and safety of lino printing!
