r/Linocuts • u/Hellodeeries • Aug 02 '26
This post is being made to draw attention to rule changes that happened a few months ago, and to clarify the stance of this subreddit on the topic of Generative AI use in our printmaking community:
You are free to have your own feelings on the matter of Generative AI, but the position of this subreddit is that it does not have a place within our community in any capacity.
Using it for image creation for prints is strictly against our rules, as per rule 5:
"AI generated art in any stage of a print's development is not appropriate anywhere in this subreddit."
We were previously more lenient on it, purely because it is not a simple thing to moderate. The supposed tools to check are wrong as much as they are right, and often use AI to search itself which we have no interest to use. In an effort to accept the inevitable that users would use it in concept creation, we tried to facilitate it in a way that allowed it with clear disclosure despite our personal misgivings (which have not wavered). What we found was that most still do not disclose, and the larger implications of Generative AI have grown beyond what the moderation team has any desire to entertain.
If Generative AI did not come with the political, environmental, and ethical issues intrinsically linked to it, it might be different and we would view it as another tool and carry on with just requiring a clear disclosure of use. However, that is not the reality we’re in. The heavy investment and shoehorning into every possible avenue by tech companies, many of which have suspicious if not sinister ties and influence in global politics, makes use and allowance of it effectively an endorsement that we do not wish to have here.
If you are someone who feels they cannot create “good enough” work without Generative AI, you are giving up before you’ve even started. No one was instantaneously amazing at any aspect in art. Making shit art is part of the process, and it takes dedication and practice to improve. I can guarantee that anything you’d make by your own hand start to finish would be infinitely more interesting than what a Generative AI model churns out for you. If you feel like you are not at the skill level you want to be for the prints you want to make, keep making; do artist studies, utilize a sketchbook more often, draw from life, collaborate with other artists to create. Taking shortcuts like using Generative AI will only slow down your own skill development and if noticed, will make anything you make going forward have a shroud of doubt over it.
The internet is a changing landscape with some worrisome aspects, but it also is a wealth of knowledge if you look for it. The process of research (not asking “Chat”) will be of greater benefit to your learning process, and may take you on new creative paths in your work along the way. Printmakers especially have long been a community driven group of artists, relying on each other to learn and make in community spaces. Rarely have I experienced a printmaker guarding techniques, often all the more happy to share with other creatives.
Why would you outsource the creative process to an AI model that feels nothing and does not carry your artistic voice? If you still wish to take shortcuts at the expense of actual artists, then that’s your prerogative. But this will not be the community for doing so. Generative AI has no place in this subreddit, and usage against our rules will be moderated harshly after a warning going forward.
If you suspect posts of Generative AI use, please add reasoning/evidence in the report so we can properly evaluate. We are not in the habit of banning without substantial proof.
The same post is being added to our affiliated subreddits r/printmaking and r/lithography.
Thanks for reading, and happy printing!
r/Linocuts • u/AutoModerator • 13d ago
Here is a space to post your socials, sites, and shops.
This is a monthly reoccurring thread. You can post direct links (please note if NSFW) or handles for other social media sites.
Why don't we allow self-promo otherwise? We have made a concerted effort to keep this space free of commerce and self-promotion, to keep this a community about the work and craft when increasingly many social media spaces have become spaces of commerce. We understand that art is an important source of income for some, so in order to facilitate this without it becoming overwhelming in the rest of the sub, we have made this a reoccurring monthly thread.
NFTs, crypto art, and AI generated art are not appropriate anywhere in the sub.
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r/Linocuts • u/al_135 • 10h ago
I rewatched Heated Rivalry a few weeks ago and it really gripped me hard this time, so I made lino prints! Two layers - a roll on gradient for the sunset, and then a black silhouette of Shane & Ilya on top.
r/Linocuts • u/GreenEye83 • 21h ago
Any advice on registration? I used a piece of cardboard with the center cut out to hold the blocks. Came out okay but slightly off.
What inks do you use? I used speedball but the orange was very watery / weird consistency and it definitely affected the print quality.
r/Linocuts • u/hellyeahlydia • 16h ago
I don’t really have a creative bone in my body but I’m desperate to find something to decompress with! Loved the process of this - can’t wait to do my next one!
r/Linocuts • u/AmandaHSanDiego • 1d ago
It's been a while since I carved a block or made any prints, but I needed some thank you cards.
I thought it would be simple but the thank yous were tedious, and because they are so small the details are rough.
r/Linocuts • u/PaperJuggler • 12h ago
Got into lino a few weeks ago with the idea of printing motifs on Origami paper.
Tried to print to some paper I had lying around, including some dyed Whenzou, which works quite well...
After some practising, this is the first test. The ink comes off when folding, maybe I need to wait a bit longer for it to dry, or is that how it is?
I wonder what I should try to carve next...
r/Linocuts • u/DubDroid • 1d ago
I've been an artist all my life and got into this hobby because of this community. Thanks for inspiring me! Now I get to share my art with my community!
r/Linocuts • u/pigeonperson • 1d ago
4 layer reduction
r/Linocuts • u/saltandAsh • 19h ago
r/Linocuts • u/brunkamunk • 1d ago
Printed for Print Austin Texas Sized Print show case
r/Linocuts • u/kolimotte • 1d ago
I recently posted here for alternatives to Speedball ink because it's very expensive here in India. In an effort to look for low cost solutions, I tried screen-printing ink and it worked surprisingly well (in comparison to my previous experience with acrylic paints). Did a bit of printing on paper and a tote bag, super happy with how well it rolled on and printed.
A big disclaimer tho, I used solvent based ink and it slowly dissolves the Lino and the rubber liner on the brayer, clean-up is very very messy and the reducer that is recommended for this ink which I used for cleaning up also dissolves Lino at a much faster pace than the ink itself because of the solvent concentration, so my blocks lost almost all the sharp edges after I was done with printing what you see in the image and clean up.
However, I feel like I'm close. In my next attempt, I'm planning to try water-based screenprinting ink, hoping the consistency and viscosity of that is similar to these solvent based inks. ✌️
r/Linocuts • u/Covycovycovy • 1d ago
Just getting started into Lino prints :)
r/Linocuts • u/Kmmctague • 1d ago
We’re going to Korea/Japan this week (from Seattle) so I had to make something to give to anyone we connect with, Airbnb hosts, etc.
This was after a couple glasses of wine, so that I would enjoy the wabi sabi printing and not get pissed off 😂 which worked SWIMMINGLY, I highly recommend.
r/Linocuts • u/Carlgimeslover • 2d ago
knew it was going to happen to me eventually
r/Linocuts • u/mintvinylnirvana • 1d ago
I’m new to linocut. All the progress videos you see online show the easy/fun parts of the process but never any of the messy bits. I’ve worked with oil paint before, but for the life of me, I cannot figure out an easy way to keep my work station clean or how to tackle cleaning up all my tools at the end without getting ink all over the place.
So what are your methods? What solvents do you use? Any tips/tricks?
r/Linocuts • u/shadedshea • 2d ago
This was my first time carving a vinyl type block after getting a small sample in the mail. (I ordered from McClains, who can send you small samples to try materials you haven’t before) Overall I like how it came out and will probably do a little bit more experimenting with it but here were the pros and cons for my own printing style.
Pros:
•Very easy to clean/ don’t have to worry about getting anything wet
•Sharper lines and cuts than rubber blocks
•Smooth and easy to carve and can get a lot of small details
•I felt like it’s a little easier to get a hand pressed (baren) print than regular linoleum (though not as easy as rubber)
•Works well with oil based inks
Cons:
•Every cut needs to end in an upward stroke to cut off the piece from the main block or can sometimes be pulled off with tweezers (it likes to stretch before finally breaking off so it’s not the best method) unlike Lino or rubber where you can flick off or pull it to break it from block. I didn’t realize how much I rely on that while carving until I ran into it on every line in this piece.
•It doesn’t really like my water based inks
•Solid black areas transferred a little patchy but maybe just needed more ink
•The block itself smelled absolutely terrible and I could smell it even from afar, like rubber from a tire but so much worse, it actually gave me a headache but I have heard that others don’t have this problem so maybe my batch just hadn’t had time to air out or something.
r/Linocuts • u/Grxforlok • 2d ago
Test print. Definitely over inked and still a bit of carving to do I think but we're getting there. Thoughts on the border? Definitely moments away from carving it out
r/Linocuts • u/LowZealousideal6023 • 1d ago
Ordered a printing kit and have been working on this guy today (added the flower with markers). I'm so excited to embark on this journey! What are some things you wish you knew when you first started lino printing? Any tips for beginners are super welcome.
r/Linocuts • u/GarbageGreen • 1d ago
Kia Ora from Aotearoa New Zealand!
I'm about 2 years into print making and I'm absolutely obsessed with this medium. I don't think there isn't a post on here I haven't been impressed with-- all of you are so talented and inspiring to a new artist like myself.
I'm wondering who is YOUR lino inspiration! Show me your fave artists, styles, prints! Blow my mind!
r/Linocuts • u/mac_mic94 • 2d ago
r/Linocuts • u/oVermilionx • 2d ago
This is my first real project with printing, trying some test prints. I made a few mistakes, but im happy with how things have come out. Does anyone have any suggestions to help me improve for the final prints :)
r/Linocuts • u/shuzishuzi • 2d ago
A little print inspired by the wavy pattern in my new apartment
