Speedball Mounted Linoleum Blocks

Speedball Mounted Linoleum Blocks deliver a perfectly flat, finely textured surface designed to capture your sharpest relief carvings without gaps or hollows. Mounted on a sturdy base for ultimate stability, these blocks are a printmaker’s best friend for pulling crisp editions using both water-soluble and oil-based inks.

• Brand: Speedball

• Format: Mounted for stability

• Cutting Depth: 1/8"

• Ink Compatibility: Water-soluble or oil-based relief ink

• Available Sizes: 3" x 4", 5" x 7", 9" x 12"

[+] The Creative Details: Performance & Feel (Click to Expand)

We love mounted linoleum for both beginners and seasoned studio printmakers because it completely eliminates the frustration of warped or curled carving surfaces. The rigid backing keeps your artwork perfectly flat, ensuring your brayer distributes ink evenly across the high points for a solid, gap-free print.

• Stable Carving: The mounted design anchors your work, making it safer to carve and easier to register your prints.

• Crisp Details: The fine, flat linoleum surface holds fine lines beautifully without crumbling.

• Studio Tip: Pair these blocks with a set of Speedball Lino Cutters and a smooth rubber brayer for the best results.

[+] Studio Guide: How to Use & Store (Click to Expand)

• Canadian Winter Prep: Linoleum reacts strongly to temperature. If your block arrives freezing cold from an Ottawa winter delivery, let it acclimate to room temperature before you start carving. Cold lino is brittle, hard to cut, and tough on your wrists!

• The Hairdryer Trick: For a buttery-smooth carving experience, gently warm the surface of the block with a hairdryer for a minute or two before you take your gouge to it.

• Safety First: Always use a bench hook to hold your block, and keep your non-carving hand behind the blade at all times.

[+] Artist FAQs: Your Questions Answered (Click to Expand)

What kind of ink works best on this mounted block?

You have complete flexibility here; this linoleum is suitable for use with any water-soluble or oil-based relief ink. It handles rich, highly pigmented colors (and colours!) beautifully without absorbing your medium.

Do I need a printing press to use a mounted linocut block?

Not at all. While a press is wonderful for large editions, these mounted blocks provide such a stable, rigid base that you can easily pull a fantastic hand-rubbed print using a traditional baren, a wooden spoon, or even a glass drawer knob.

Is this a good choice for beginners learning block printing?

Absolutely. Unmounted sheets can sometimes slip or curl, but because this block is mounted for stability, it stays put on your desk. This makes it much easier to control your tools as you learn the foundations of relief carving.