FAQs — Britt & Mars Print Co.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is relief printmaking?

In relief printing, the artist draws a design on a smooth block of material (wood, rubber, or in Britt’s case, linoleum) and uses carving tools to cut away areas that are not to be printed, leaving behind the raised surface of her designs. The surface of the block is then inked using a brayer (roller). A sheet of paper is then placed on top of the block and pressed, either by hand or with the aid of a press.

What materials do you use?

Britt usually draws directly onto unmounted linoleum, which she then carved by hand. She prints with Cranfield Caligo Safe-wash printing ink on various papers.

How do you print the blocks?

Britt uses an etching press to pull her prints, with additional hand burnishing.

Are all prints made by hand?

Yes, all prints are made by hand, by Britt. The process of printmaking is handmade at its core: drawing, carving, inking, printing. All her designs are her original drawings; there is no use of AI or other assistive technology/image generation in her art.

Other items such as stickers, cards, totes, etc that include her original art are manufactured by other companies.

How are prints packaged?

All prints are packaged by Britt in a plastic sleeve with a cardboard backer. All packaging is acid-free.

Why do some prints of the same designs look different?

Each print is an accurate reflection of how the block is printed. Due to the handmade nature of printing, no two prints look exactly alike. Each print has its own subtle and unique variations and imperfections.

Do you take commission requests?

Commissions are considered on a selective basis, determined by subject matter, size, and print run. Please see this page for more information. You can contact Britt here to inquire.