Make Your Own Seaweed Linocut Print

Inspired by seaweed foraged from Cornish beaches, Anna Roberts from our window design team shares how to make linocut prints like those you’ll see in our latest shop windows.


How to make a seaweed linocut print

Each season we create a series of storytelling displays to hang in our shop windows. From concept to craft, they are designed in-house using simple materials and crafting techniques. 

This spring, Anna has captured the vibrancy of our Sealife collection using linocut printing to replicate the intricate detail of Cornish seaweed. We caught up in the Seasalt studio, where Anna talked us through her process and shared her guide for making your own prints at home. 

“Though the process is simple, the result is beautifully effective.” – Anna Roberts, Seasalt Window Designer 

Your will need:

  • Linocut block 
  • Linocut carving tools 
  • Pencil 
  • Tracing paper 
  • Thick water-based paints 
  • Paintbrush 
  • Roller 
  • Protective mat

To make a wall hanging:

  • Magnetic frame and piece of white card (size of your choice) 

To make wallpaper:

  • A roll of lining paper 

Tracing a shape to make a linocut stamp

  1. Draw your design and trace it onto a piece of tracing paper. Flip your tracing paper and draw over the other side to reverse your sketch (otherwise you will end up with a back-to-front version of your image when you print). 

Tracing a seaweed sketch onto lino to make a linocut stamp

  1. Draw your stencil onto the lino block. 

Carving the linocut stamp

  1. Using a firm gliding motion, start carving away at the area you don’t want to be printed. Avoid pressing too hard and make gradual lines until you have filled the space. 

Making a linocut stamp

  1. When you are happy with your carving, you are ready to start printing. (Note: for wallpaper, I like to make a few different lino carvings to create the design.) 

Painting a linocut stamp to make a seaweed print

  1. Use your paintbrush to work the paint into all the carved grooves until you have covered your stencil with a light layer of paint. 

Printing a linocut stamp of seaweed

  1. Flip your stencil onto a piece of white card or lining paper (paint side down) and, using your roller, press firmly to ensure all the markings come through. For wallpaper, I like to start at the top and work my way down to avoid smudges. 

A seaweed wall hanging made using linocut printing

  1. Once dry, frame your wall hanging using the magnetic frame, or hang your wallpaper.  

Anna Roberts holds her hand printed linocut seaweed wall paper.

We’d love to see what you create. Share your prints with us via Facebook or Instagram with #SeasaltArtsClub