While it's obvious what you cut away on the lino will not be printed and what's left behind is where the ink will be, it's surprisingly easy to forget when you're busy cutting the lino. Because we're used to pushing a pencil across a surface to get the marks we want, and pushing a lino-cutting blade feels very similar. Ensure any open windows or vents don’t encourage the flow of dust or airborne particles onto your workspace.

If you can, get a few different tools: V-gouges, U-gouges, large and small. Use all the tools you have, each will make a different kind of mark. For example, a V-gouge will make a very fine line if you use just the tip. If you carve deeper it will make a wider line.Clean As You Go: Regularly brushing away the lino shavings helps keep your workspace clear and gives you a better view of your progress. Transparency: Using tracing paper can help you visualise how your design will look when it’s reversed, especially important if you’re working with text or directional elements in your design.

Scale Test: Experiment with the size of your design. Sometimes a design might look great small but lose impact when scaled up, or vice versa. So when you’ve got the straight lines down like a true master, try the squares in Figs D & E. You probably will want to draw these out in pencil or pen first, but you should be able to create some very nice squares, but pay close attention to the corners, and try to achieve really nice crisp points to the angles where the straight lines meet.Quantity of Ink: Begin with a minimal amount of ink — roughly the size of your fingertip should suffice for starters. It’s easier to add more ink than to manage an excess. Clear Workspace: Ensure you have a clean and well-lit workspace. Good lighting will enable you to see faint lines more clearly, and a clutter-free area will reduce the chances of accidental smudges. Choose an Appropriate Space: Opt for a well-lit, ventilated area with a sturdy, flat table or bench. Avoid carpeted areas, as lino ink can stain them permanently. Sweep or vacuum the floor to avoid the inadvertent transfer of dust or fibres onto your lino or paper. Flattening: Sometimes, the paper may curl slightly after printing. To flatten your prints, place them under a heavy book or in a press once they’re fully dry.

Consider using a dust sheet or cover to keep your work-in-progress protected when not actively printing. V cutters are the real workhorses for most linocut artists. They can be used for basic outlines, textures, detail cuts, and more. They also cut equally well on both sides of the blade, making them extremely versatile.

For the final presentation, print your finest works on high-quality printmaking paper. I personally vouch for Zerkall: Mould Made Printmaking Paper, which boasts an extra smooth finish, dimensions of 53x73cm, and a weight of 150gsm, offering exceptional results for hand printing.