The Process

We are surrounded by inspiration. Many of our designs are rooted in nature, where the shapes and colours of flowers and foliage provide ample possibilities for creativity. Lizzie has a keen eye for pattern and finds ideas in all sorts of things. Petals, leaves, buds, bulbs, architecture, tiles – there’s a pattern to be found in everything.

Lizzie’s sketchbook is where designs first come to life and find their shape. Pages are filled with scribbles and experiments until a design emerges in pen, pencil and paints. It’s a book filled with colours and brushstrokes. Eventually, after much redrawing and perfecting, the lines are traced and transferred onto a sheet of lino.

Using a set of specialised lino carving tools, Lizzie carefully cuts into the lino, following the curves and edges of her pencil lines. Different tools create a different carving – whether the line needs to be hairline thin or thick and bold. They can also be used in a variety of ways to form a range of textures. For a smooth finish, the carving will be deeper and flatter, and for a bit of authentic tactility, some raised edges might be kept. Everything is intentional, each push of the tool deciding how the finished print will look. It’s a process that takes patience and steady hands.

This is where all the delicate work pays off. As ink is rolled onto the lino block, the design comes to life, and though the first test is always a bit scary, it’s also hugely rewarding. Print tests help us to decide on colours and repeats, and we start to get a better idea of what it will look like as a finished fabric.

The cleanest print is scanned and digitised before being refined, recoloured, and arranged into a repeating pattern. This is the stage where a hand-printed design makes the transition from paper to fabric, ready to take its place in our collection.

All our fabrics are digitally printed in the UK. This process allows us to reproduce the exact detail and character of the original design while reducing waste and maintaining the quality of our products.

Compared with traditional rotary screen printing, digital fabric printing significantly reduces the environmental impact of textile production. It can cut water usage by more than half, lower energy consumption, minimise chemical waste, and reduce carbon emissions.

By printing designs directly onto the fabric, inkjet printers remove the need for screens and their associated cleaning between production runs. It uses the exact amount of ink required for a design, reducing material waste. Digital printing is less heat-intensive than traditional printing methods, further limiting the overall carbon footprint of production.

Book Lizzie for a private workshop or sign up via Victoria Works Studios.
Spend the day designing, carving, and printing your own lino block, or take it a step further and make your own lampshade, cushion, or tea towel.

Perfect for birthdays, hen dos, or just a creative day out.

Get in touch to discuss your ideas.