Best Relief Printing Materials of 2025

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Relief printing materials are essential tools for artists, designers and printmakers who want to create high-quality prints. These materials include linoleum blocks, wood blocks, printing inks, brayers, carving tools and printing papers. Relief printing is a traditional form of printmaking that involves carving a design onto a block of material and then transferring the ink onto paper or fabric. These materials are widely available and can be used by anyone who wants to produce their own prints, from beginners to experienced printmakers.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Relief Printing Materials
Essdee Premium Block Printing Ink Set
The Essdee Block Printing Ink is a water-based ink designed for relief printing. Its good tack and transfer properties ensure that your prints are clear and vibrant, making your artwork come to life. Each pack contains five 100ml tubes, providing ample supplies for various projects. As a product made in the UK, you can trust its quality and performance, perfect for both beginners and experienced artists looking to enhance their craft.
Pack of 10 Double Sided Soft Lino Blocks
The Essential Arts Lino Blocks are perfect for those new to lino printing and carving. Each pack contains 10 double-sided sheets, measuring 100 x 150mm, which are 3.2mm thick for easy handling. Unlike traditional lino, these polymer blocks are safer and easier to use, allowing you to focus on your creativity without worry. They do not crumble, ensuring that you can achieve sharp, defined lines with standard lino tools, making your artistic process smoother and more enjoyable.
Essdee L5PKR1 Lino Cutting & Printing Kit
The Essdee Lino Cutting Kit is perfect for creating personalised greeting cards, unique gifts, stunning posters, or even intricate works of art. With six different lino cutters, you have the tools to achieve various designs and styles. The included water-based ink ensures that your creations are vibrant and easy to work with. Additionally, the hand guard provides safety while you cut, giving you peace of mind. The kit is designed for both beginners and experienced users, making it accessible for anyone looking to explore relief printing.
Gel Press A4 Monoprinting Plate for Arts
The Gel Press Monoprinting Plate offers versatility for your artistic projects, allowing you to use various media such as acrylic paints and fabrics. You can easily unleash your creativity by experimenting with textures and colours to create unique prints that will stand out. User-friendly design makes it accessible, letting you simply apply paint and press your chosen material to reveal your artwork. Additionally, this durable print plate is reusable, maintaining its shape for endless creative possibilities, making it an ideal choice for card-making, scrapbooking, and more.
Extra Soft Double Sided Blue Polymer Blocks
The Essential Arts Polymer Blocks are a fantastic choice for beginners exploring lino printing and carving. This pack includes ten extra soft blue polymer blocks, each measuring 100 x 150mm and 3.2mm thick. These double-sided sheets are much easier and safer to use compared to traditional lino blocks, making your creative process smoother. You will appreciate how the polymer does not crumble, allowing you to cut sharp, defined lines with standard lino tools, enhancing your artwork significantly.
ESSDEE Five Cutter Lino Set with Handle
The ESSDEE Lino Cutter Set is an excellent choice for anyone interested in relief printing. This set includes five different cutters, allowing you to create a variety of designs and effects. The inclusion of a sturdy lino cutter handle provides comfort and control while you work. Made in the United Kingdom, this set ensures quality craftsmanship. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist, this versatile set will enhance your creative projects.
ESSDEE 3 in 1 Lino Cutter and Baren Kit
The ESSDEE Lino Cutter Kit offers a versatile solution for your relief printing needs. With ten different lino cutters, you can easily achieve a variety of designs and details in your artwork. The included baren ensures smooth and even pressure during printing, enhancing the quality of your prints. Made in the UK, this kit is a reliable choice for both beginners and experienced artists. You will find it easy to create stunning prints with this comprehensive kit at your disposal.
Essential Arts Safeprint Foam Sheets for Printing
The Essential Arts Foam Sheets are perfect for relief printing. Measuring 165 x 165mm and 3mm thick, these sheets allow you to use everyday items to create unique impressions. Unlike traditional materials, they are easier and safer, making them ideal for beginners. You can easily cut them with scissors or a craft knife, giving you flexibility for model making and other creative projects. These features ensure you can explore your artistic side with confidence and convenience.
Lexicon Select Safe Print Lino Tiles Pack
The LexSel Lino Block Tiles are ideal for relief printing enthusiasts. Each tile measures 16.5 x 16.5cm and is made from polystyrene, offering a lightweight and easy-to-use material for your projects. The pack contains 50 tiles, providing ample supplies for various printing tasks. At 3mm thick, these tiles are sturdy enough to withstand repeated use. Additionally, the included beginner's guide offers helpful hints and tips, making it easier for you to get started with lino printing.
Essential Arts Extra Soft Lino Printing Blocks
The Essential Arts Lino Blocks are a fantastic choice for anyone looking to try out lino printing. Each pack contains five extra soft blue polymer blocks, measuring 100 x 150mm, making them easy to handle. At 3mm thick, these double-sided sheets are much simpler and safer to use than traditional lino blocks. You'll find that the polymer material does not crumble, allowing you to create sharp, defined lines effortlessly with standard lino tools. This product serves as an excellent introduction to the art of lino printing and carving.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is an example of a relief print?
relief printing, in art printmaking, a process consisting of cutting or etching a printing surface in such a way that all that remains of the original surface is the design to be printed. Examples of relief-printing processes include woodcut, anastatic printing (also called relief etching), linocut, and metal cut.
2. What are relief prints generally made from?
A plate is where you create your original image that you want to print multiples of. In traditional relief printmaking, prints are typically made from wood or linoleum. The image is carved into the plate, covered in ink, and then transferred to a porous matrix like paper or fabric.
3. What is the most common type of relief print?
Those with raised printing surfaces are known as relief prints; woodcuts are the most common type of relief print. When the printing surface is below the surface of the plate, the print technique is classified as intaglio.
During our relief printing material research, we found 139 relief printing material products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 25,419 customer reviews through our big data system to write the relief printing materials list. We found that most customers choose relief printing materials with an average price of £12.74.
The relief printing materials are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of relief printing materials, including ESSDEE, Essential Arts, Gel Press, LexSel.

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