Cheap options for lino printing and other art materials.

FA NG

Hi im an art teacher, the centre im working in wants me to carry out a QQI level 4 in Visual arts but theyve hardly no materials, not even paper and have been reluctant to let me order stuff. I finally talked them round and we agreed I can spend 150 on materials.

Ive been looking at evans art supply and Cork art supply, so far ive covered paints (primary colours + back and white), cartridge paper, buff clay, some paints for lino printing (Primary colours +black and white) some rollers, blades and handles for lino print. Im already over the budget. I need to do a class on lino printing but the supply shops only sell a small amount at a very high price considering I need to buy in bulk.

Could I go to a carpet/lino shop and ask if they have anything? Or are there any cheaper supply shops that cater to schools/businesses with affordable options to buy in bulk?

New Home

I'd say a carpet/lino shop might be your best bet, they may have some cut-offs/remainders they might be willing to give away for free - I know a good while back my local furniture shop (that was also selling flooring) was giving away free samples of carpet (end-of-line stuff), and I got a few that I used as scratch mats for my cat.

FA NG

New Home wrote: »

I'd say a carpet/lino shop might be your best bet, they may have some cut-offs/remainders they might be willing to give away for free - I know a good while back my local furniture shop (that was also selling flooring) was giving away free samples of carpet (end-of-line stuff), and I got a few that I used as scratch mats for my cat.

Thanks New Home, would they sell the kind suitable for visual arts lino printing though? My bathroom lino isnt the same as printmaking lino

New Home

You've got me there... I guess they might, I know the thickness and consistency is different, but they may have some industrial flooring that might do the trick. I guess there's no harm in asking.

Also, have you tried looking through the likes of Adverts for second hand/unused/surplus stuff? You could even post an ad yourself if there isn't anything advertised at the moment.

I'm sure someone will come along soon with better ideas, but if I can think of anything else I'll let you know.

Jellybaby1

Check out this place. I wanted to go myself but I think its mainly for schools. I think you may have to subscribe or join, I can't remember but it might have something there for you.

http://recreate.ie/about/

FA NG

Jellybaby1 wrote: »

Check out this place. I wanted to go myself but I think its mainly for schools. I think you may have to subscribe or join, I can't remember but it might have something there for you.

http://recreate.ie/about/

Thanks Jellybaby They sell allot of recycled materials for crafts but not what im looking for unfortunately I need paints, paper, print and ceramic materials.. I found a very good UK site but they dont deliver here.

New Home

Have you tried to look into Address Pal (An Post) or the Parcel Motel? They can be considered recipients with UK addresses.

FA NG

New Home wrote: »

Have you tried to look into Address Pal (An Post) or the Parcel Motel? They can be considered recipients with UK addresses.

Thanks, im not sure but i'll look into it x

6Kiss

Hey, maybe mdf is a good cheap alternative to lino. I googled it and a reddit thread came up, I can't post the link on here for some reason. If you google "Affordable linoleum/wood alternatives? reddit" it should be top result.

Parcel Motel is great if you need to take advantage of online stores that only deliver to a UK address.

Also, I accidentally noticed that baking paper is good cheap alternative to tracing paper.

Good Luck

FA NG

6Kiss wrote: »

Hey, maybe mdf is a good cheap alternative to lino. I googled it and a reddit thread came up, I can't post the link on here for some reason. If you google "Affordable linoleum/wood alternatives? reddit" it should be top result.

Parcel Motel is great if you need to take advantage of online stores that only deliver to a UK address.

Also, I accidentally noticed that baking paper is good cheap alternative to tracing paper.

Good Luck

Hi 6kiss, thanks for replying. It cant be wood, has to be lino. Wood is too hard to carve into for the learners, it produces dust, theres the danger of splinters and tools for wood cutting are a too sharp for the learners in classroom setting. Lino is soft and used in schools because it's very suitable for learners of different ages and abilities.

I looked into Parcel Motel, it wont work unfortunately also the place im working requires all deliveries to be delivered there. I also dont have a car to collect from Parcel Motel.

donegaLroad

here you go OP

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LINO-CUTTER-HANDLE-AND-6-ASSORTED-CUTTERS-/172860094704

Jellybaby1

That reminds me that I bought a set of those years ago in http://store.evansartsupplies.ie/store/ years ago. Dublin city centre, Mary's Abbey. Walk up Mary's Abbey from Capel Street and take a right up a laneway. I forgot all about them and they probably have your lino as well.

wmpdd3

Hi,

I teach something similar, if you want to PM me I can give you some idea of what we used.

In my experience, floor lino doesn't really work well. We used lino tiles when we were in college, they were very cheap and easier to cut with the cutters. There is also a safety board learners are required to use for insurance in my centre.

Also, an A5 piece of more than enough for each learner, and this can be reused many times with different mediums.

We sketched first, made a version of the print in relief with card board and string etc, printed using acrylic paint on sheets from the 2nd hand shop.

For evaluation, we made books by sewing these samples together.

I'd put out a call to centers / charities looking for acrylic paint donations, it's usually in every cupboard, at least if you had that, you could spend the money on something more specialised.

Get in touch if I can help further.

FA NG

wmpdd3 wrote: »

Hi,

I teach something similar, if you want to PM me I can give you some idea of what we used.

In my experience, floor lino doesn't really work well. We used lino tiles when we were in college, they were very cheap and easier to cut with the cutters. There is also a safety board learners are required to use for insurance in my centre.

Also, an A5 piece of more than enough for each learner, and this can be reused many times with different mediums.

We sketched first, made a version of the print in relief with card board and string etc, printed using acrylic paint on sheets from the 2nd hand shop.

For evaluation, we made books by sewing these samples together.

I'd put out a call to centers / charities looking for acrylic paint donations, it's usually in every cupboard, at least if you had that, you could spend the money on something more specialised.

Get in touch if I can help further.

Hi thanks for replying and for the very useful tips. Ill take you up on that Private message if its alright with you.

nothing

I got my supplies (as a student) from specialistcrafts.ie, they do free samples of some items for teachers, have a decent range of own brand bits too