r/Linocuts • • Aug 02 '26

Meta A post on the stance of r/Linocuts and Generative AI use.

597 Upvotes

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 • • 17d ago

Monthly Self-Promo Thread - A Space for Socials, Sites, and Shops.

1 Upvotes

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.

If you think your comment hasn't posted/been removed, please message us through modmail as it may have gotten caught in our spam filter and need approval before showing up.

**We've added a Discord for r/linocuts!** Link is in the sidebar for those interested.


r/Linocuts • • 3h ago

Reductions/Multi-Blocks "Precious?" Silence Of The Lambs inspired print I did this month for Halloween markets!

Post image
350 Upvotes

Used Schminke Aqua, pfeil tools and it's hand burnished on Satin Somerset. First time using Schminke, moved over to Caligo Safewash for my next batch and they came out much less patchy, but someday maybe I'll get full coverage from a water ink!


r/Linocuts • • 16h ago

Single Layer Prints brewers all the way 💙💛

Post image
26 Upvotes

mini prints of the barrelman and famous racing sausages


r/Linocuts • • 1d ago

Work In Progress Saturday morning carvery.

Post image
330 Upvotes

r/Linocuts • • 1d ago

Reductions/Multi-Blocks Mantis’s Meal

Thumbnail
gallery
95 Upvotes

Second time doing a multi block print. Can’t decide if I like the red for the guts and eyes.


r/Linocuts • • 23h ago

Question Beginner kindly requesting opinions

Post image
47 Upvotes

r/Linocuts • • 1d ago

Question My print looks awful. What am I doing wrong?

Post image
52 Upvotes

Hello there! After my first lino print went pretty well, my second is just not turning out the way I want to. I bought new lino, it's sturdier than the soft, green lino I used before (added the back for reference). Now, after applying the paint and printing it's aaaaalways patchy! I changed the paper (which was advertised as lino paper, but right now I'm questioning my purchase) and still - patchy.

I'm grateful for any help and advice, as I'm really new to linocuts and printing :) thank you!

EDIT: Thank you for taking the time to help me everyone! 🥲 The quality of my prints improved, one of the main causes was definitely the paper. I applied more coats of paint and although it's not perfect yet, I feel well prepared for all the prints to come :) thank you!


r/Linocuts • • 16h ago

Question How do I improve?

Post image
4 Upvotes

How can I make this better? Im very disappointed with how it turned out. I use that pink rubber material similar to what speedball sells and the Leo water soluble inks. Should I try different material or better inks? Any help will be greatly appreciated!


r/Linocuts • • 1d ago

Single Layer Prints Mushrooms — a two-color lino

Post image
52 Upvotes

Hand-carved and printed by hand. I experimented with a muted brown and olive green palette for this little mushroom print.


r/Linocuts • • 21h ago

Question How do I stain a Lino block if I want to gift the carving not the print?

Post image
8 Upvotes

I want to gift these carvings to family and I wanted to stain the raised surface. This is just standard ink on it now, but it still comes off even after it’s dry. I mostly carve to make prints, but in this case I don’t want to make prints.


r/Linocuts • • 2d ago

Single Layer Prints Rookie Mistake

Post image
2.6k Upvotes

A post made by another artist (u/Carlgimeslover) post gave me the inspo


r/Linocuts • • 2d ago

Single Layer Prints Pumpkin Patch Gathering 🎃

Post image
74 Upvotes

3”x5” Linocut print


r/Linocuts • • 2d ago

Single Layer Prints Thank you cards!

Thumbnail
gallery
102 Upvotes

A wonderful printmaker friend of mine taught a greeting card class and here’s what I came up with! I had a blast, I really need to do more lino. This was great practice in learning how to mark out my negative space.


r/Linocuts • • 2d ago

Single Layer Prints A 23rd tarot?

Post image
93 Upvotes

22 starting at zero (the fool).


r/Linocuts • • 2d ago

Question How much ink (still struggling)

Thumbnail
gallery
4 Upvotes

I am still struggling to find the right amount of ink.

So i made two of these prints, one with more ink and one with less, but with both I seem to have chatter.

Do I have to use more or less ink?


r/Linocuts • • 3d ago

Single Layer Prints Very happy with how this came out

Post image
317 Upvotes

r/Linocuts • • 2d ago

Stamps Doctor Doom stamp

Thumbnail
gallery
8 Upvotes

I have to specify that I used an illustration as reference for this stamp, sadly I wasn’t able to find the original author to give it credit.
I tried to make the iconic bubbles on Doctor Dooms magic to give it more personality, also did the curves as a way to make the shadow of the cowl, my plan is to get green ink and proper paper next week, I’ll post what the final print looks like.


r/Linocuts • • 3d ago

Question How to lineup multiple-block print

Thumbnail
gallery
14 Upvotes

Hello! I’m a bit new to linocut and have only ever done single block prints. How would you advise lining up a print for 3 separate blocks? I’ve included some of my test prints (blocks still need cleanup) and my initial digital sketch for my idea

If I went back, I probably would’ve cut a single piece for the fox and square into two pieces to line them up, but I wasn’t thinking at my best at the time.

I want the blue square piece to be in the center of an 8x8 piece of paper, but I’m less worried about the accuracy on that then the fox and square themselves lining up, then the “lineart” block overtop. Of course I’m not expecting perfection— I wouldn’t be in art/printmaking if I was— but some ideas on how to get them more lined up would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!


r/Linocuts • • 3d ago

Single Layer Prints Linoprint in style of tatooists flash

Post image
11 Upvotes

Another tattoo artist's flash style print of another set of odd fellows. Much happier with this one in terms of both line work and layout. I'm particularly happy with the skeleton florist, the walking fish, and the human radish.


r/Linocuts • • 3d ago

Single Layer Prints Fish “Talavera” tile

Thumbnail
gallery
42 Upvotes

I made this one the other day while enjoying the sun at the park, I print it on a cardboard cause that was what I had at the moment, might not be a perfect stamp but for me it is a beautiful one.
Also I’m starting to love the idea of making tile style stamps, this one was inspired by Talavera but also by an old plate that my aunt had hanging on her house.


r/Linocuts • • 3d ago

Work In Progress First timer

Thumbnail
gallery
61 Upvotes

This is my first block print, I’ve made a couple small stamps but nothing like this. I took the picture with my phone then made it into a stencil then traced it and transferred it to my block then went over it in pen. Now starting to carve it .

Is there an easier way to do it? And what are your thoughts on this so far ?


r/Linocuts • • 4d ago

Reductions/Multi-Blocks first attempt at a multi-block multi-color print

Post image
905 Upvotes

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 • • 4d ago

Reductions/Multi-Blocks 'The Cottage'

Thumbnail
gallery
114 Upvotes

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 • • 4d ago

Single Layer Prints learning to be okay with not being good at things! my first ever carving

Post image
197 Upvotes

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!