3″ thick printed band of color – linoleum block??

Hello!

I need to print a 3″ thick band of color for a client.  In the past I’ve only printed with set type or polymer plates and I’m not sure the best way to acheive the most even color….

1st —- I was wondering the best way to get an even solid band of color.  Is it a linoleum block? Or is there another method that would be best.

If it IS a linoleum block.  

Where can I get one from?
How do I make sure it’s type high?
Is it something I can just get from dick blick?  And then mount on a base?

Are there some that are higher quality? Easier to carve?

What else do I need to know about printing with one?

Please let me know!
Thanks!!
Shayna

You can do this with a linoleum block. Get a block that’s already mounted on a wood base (it’s actually particle-board), then you’ll need one piece of museum board to lift it to type-high (I think 2-ply is enough). The golden color is supposed to be easier to carve than ‘battleship gray’, but I’m not sure if this comes pre-mounted.Linoleum tends to print ‘salty’, with little white specks, like an all-over texture. To get it to print more solid, you can sand down the linoleum with fine-grit sand paper, or maybe steel wool, until the surface is smooth. It also helps if you over ink a bit.If you don’t want to mess with all of this, you can also get it as a polymer plate – I did this with some large bands of color I needed to print. They weren’t as wide as 3″, but they printed fine.

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