Update:
That jig was just okay, and did work well for mounted linoleum. But, ultimately it was not worth all the work because you can simply go to McClain's Printmaking Supplies - www.imcclains.com - and get a Registration Board. Then use unmounted linoleum temporarily bonded to plexiglass. Use their instructions for using the registration board. This is MUCH better, and inexpensive too.
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When I was getting started with linocut, way back about three months ago, I quickly found that I needed something called a "jig" - a frame to hold the block in while I am printing. I cruised around on the internet and found a few homemade jigs to try to emulate. I made one, and it really stunk. I used flimsy materials, and it broke after a short time.
I made another trip to Home Depot to get supplies to make a respectable jig. My mother-in-law gave me a board that she used back when she was making cartoon illustrations for KQED. It's a solid board, and very smooth and straight. My husband had a neat solution for holding the block in place on the jig, but the easiest solution was duct tape. It just works, and it's cheap. There are metal guides on the sides for holding up the edges of the paper at the height of the block. The registration of the layers of color has been quite good, so I'm satisfied for now.
Thank you to my husband for building the jig for me. He is meticulous, and the jig is well built!
i am a stickler for using the right tool for the right job. often, i will not even attempt to do something without having all the right tools at my disposal. good job on your jig! i hope it gets you through all 60 prints very easily ...
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