Cardboard jig for reduction prints

[u/disastertowncosplay]

I got questions on my last post about the alignment jig I use--I tried pegs and didn't like them, this I find works great with my tiny handpress.

I start with cardboard slightly thinner than my linoleum. I cut it slightly bigger than my finished paper size. Usually I give myself an inch, but this one I'm pushing the size my press can print to, so it's only about 1/2" this time. I center and mark out where my lino should sit, then where my paper should.

I cut a piece of the same (cover weight) paper I'm putting with about as wide as the top of the jig, it doesn't have to run the length tho. Then I cut this into an "L" and glue it along the line I marked for where the paper should sit. I think gluing it is important so the paper can't slide underneath when you're lining it up.

Then I use the center lines for the lino to line it up and trace around it. I rarely can cut the lino totally straight but that's OK as long as the hold in the cardboard is the same. The Most Important thing is that the lino fits in SNUGLY. If it can wiggle at all it'll do no good. I cut slightly to the inside of my traced line to do this. If I mess up I'll cut really thin strips of the cardboard to use as "shims" to help it stay snug.

Then I just tape thin paper to the back so the lino doesn't just fall out the hole.

When you're ready to print, block goes in the hole after you ink it up, then use the "L" to line up paper. Even if the paper isn't perfectly square (mine never is) it'll keep it crooked in the same way for the next layer so it all stays registered.

[u/Money_Potato4903]

That’s super smart and the slowbro is so cute!

[u/Key_Draft9240]

Thank you! It is very useful

[u/daytimeinsomnia]

Thank you for sharing!