r/printmaking Aug 02 '26

meta A post on the stance of r/printmaking and Generative AI use.

1.3k Upvotes

This post is being made to draw attention to rule changes that happened a few months ago, and to clarify the stance of this subreddit on the topic of Generative AI use in our printmaking community:

You are free to have your own feelings on the matter of Generative AI, but the position of this subreddit is that it does not have a place within our community in any capacity.

Using it for image creation for prints is strictly against our rules, as per rule 5:

"AI generated art in any stage of a print's development is not appropriate anywhere in this subreddit."

We were previously more lenient on it, purely because it is not a simple thing to moderate. The supposed tools to check are wrong as much as they are right, and often use AI to search itself which we have no interest to use. In an effort to accept the inevitable that users would use it in concept creation, we tried to facilitate it in a way that allowed it with clear disclosure despite our personal misgivings (which have not wavered). What we found was that most still do not disclose, and the larger implications of Generative AI have grown beyond what the moderation team has any desire to entertain.

If Generative AI did not come with the political, environmental, and ethical issues intrinsically linked to it, it might be different and we would view it as another tool and carry on with just requiring a clear disclosure of use. However, that is not the reality we’re in. The heavy investment and shoehorning into every possible avenue by tech companies, many of which have suspicious if not sinister ties and influence in global politics, makes use and allowance of it effectively an endorsement that we do not wish to have here.

If you are someone who feels they cannot create “good enough” work without Generative AI, you are giving up before you’ve even started. No one was instantaneously amazing at any aspect in art. Making shit art is part of the process, and it takes dedication and practice to improve. I can guarantee that anything you’d make by your own hand start to finish would be infinitely more interesting than what a Generative AI model churns out for you. If you feel like you are not at the skill level you want to be for the prints you want to make, keep making; do artist studies, utilize a sketchbook more often, draw from life, collaborate with other artists to create. Taking shortcuts like using Generative AI will only slow down your own skill development and if noticed, will make anything you make going forward have a shroud of doubt over it.

The internet is a changing landscape with some worrisome aspects, but it also is a wealth of knowledge if you look for it. The process of research (not asking “Chat”) will be of greater benefit to your learning process, and may take you on new creative paths in your work along the way. Printmakers especially have long been a community driven group of artists, relying on each other to learn and make in community spaces. Rarely have I experienced a printmaker guarding techniques, often all the more happy to share with other creatives. 

Why would you outsource the creative process to an AI model that feels nothing and does not carry your artistic voice? If you still wish to take shortcuts at the expense of actual artists, then that’s your prerogative. But this will not be the community for doing so. Generative AI has no place in this subreddit, and usage against our rules will be moderated harshly after a warning going forward. 

If you suspect posts of Generative AI use, please add reasoning/evidence in the report so we can properly evaluate. We are not in the habit of banning without substantial proof.

The same post is being added to our affiliated subreddits r/Linocuts and r/lithography.

Thanks for reading, and happy printing!


r/printmaking 9h ago

self-promo Monthly Self-Promo Thread - A Space for Socials, Sites, and Shops.

1 Upvotes

Here is a space to post your socials, sites, and shops.

This is a monthly reoccurring thread. You can post direct links (please note if NSFW) or handles for other social media sites.

Why don't we allow self-promo otherwise? We have made a concerted effort to keep this space free of commerce and self-promotion, to keep this a community about the work and craft when increasingly many social media spaces have become spaces of commerce. We understand that art is an important source of income for some, so in order to facilitate this without it becoming overwhelming in the rest of the sub, we have made this a reoccurring monthly thread.

NFTs, crypto art, and AI generated art are not appropriate anywhere in the sub.

If you think your comment hasn't posted/been removed, please message us through modmail as it may have gotten caught in our spam filter and need approval before showing up.

**We've added a Discord for r/printmaking!** Link is in the sidebar for those interested.


r/printmaking 9h ago

relief/woodcut/lino Some teeny little Baba Yaga’s huts!

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310 Upvotes

r/printmaking 4h ago

letterpress May I?, letterpress

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119 Upvotes

r/printmaking 12h ago

relief/woodcut/lino Headless Horseman print I made

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367 Upvotes

Just made a few of these


r/printmaking 8h ago

mixed media/experimental My first ceramic tile and an infinity pattern!

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122 Upvotes

I've only made a handful of carvings but I'm really enjoying the experimental side of things. I love how this little wall hanging turned out!


r/printmaking 10h ago

question what methods do you guys use to transfer your artwork onto the block?

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153 Upvotes

I went to the art store and picked up a different material to try carving on—it feels kind of like plastic, or maybe super dense foam.
It was definitely easier to carve, but sometimes the carving tool would crush it, causing some of the edges to collapse so they wouldn't print…
Next time, I think I’ll stick with wood or give linoleum a try..

Since I'm still a beginner, I’d love to know: what methods do you guys use to transfer your artwork onto the block?
I’ve tried drawing directly with a pencil and using tattoo transfer paper, but the transfer gel made the design a bit blurry. I'm looking for something much crispier and more precise.

Also, a huge thank you to everyone who answered my last question!
It was super helpful and gave me so much confidence to keep going. Really appreciate !!


r/printmaking 5h ago

collagraph River and Moon

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32 Upvotes

10x10cm.collagraph


r/printmaking 4h ago

screen print ESTATE & HUBRIS

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17 Upvotes

ESTATE & HUBRIS Triptych.
First panel only.
Screen print, mono print and hand painting on aluminium composite panel.
420 × 594 mm
2026

king George I, equestrian statue outside the Barber institute in Birmingham, England. Originally located in Dublin, Ireland.


r/printmaking 9h ago

relief/woodcut/lino Horse play

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22 Upvotes

A quick rough and ready medieval marginalia inspired print. A lot of my prints have been me carving away and leaving thin narrow lines so it was a nice change to do something with lots of solid black.


r/printmaking 9h ago

wip WIP - Doesn't feel like Autumn yet, but I can dream lol planning to finally finish this pumpkin print I forget about every year 🎃

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10 Upvotes

r/printmaking 20h ago

screen print Screenprint I made in college

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55 Upvotes

r/printmaking 1d ago

relief/woodcut/lino My round or yours?

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200 Upvotes

6 layer reduction taking inspo from my monthly theme 'Cider Orchard'.

I ended up buying a cut crystal tankard for this and took photos but I wasnt vibing with the handle, in photoshop I removed the handle and stretched the glass to make it look more like a British imperial pint. You dont get cut crystal pint glasses but I thought it was a fun nod at the popular cocktail illustrations lots of people do of fancy drinks.

Layers - off white, grey, yellow, orange, dark orange/orange ombre. The last layer I did a brown/dark orange ombre up the pint and on a tiny roller whipped around the rim in a circle with a similar but lighter blend. The blends were my favourite parts and really helped it come to life I thought!


r/printmaking 1d ago

screen print six color screen print

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118 Upvotes

r/printmaking 1d ago

relief/woodcut/lino Linocut bookmarks - triptych

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421 Upvotes

Hi all!

Three bookmarks I've created that somehow tell a story together, but can stand independently as well.

Titles

"Echoing Mountains"

"The Path Between" and

*The Quietest Place on Earth"

Hope you like them 😊


r/printmaking 1d ago

relief/woodcut/lino First print!

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61 Upvotes

I got a feel for the material during the first attempt; I have to say that the poor quality of the knife really had a significant impact. Originally, I had intended to create something more detailed, but the lack of curvature in the carving knives was incredibly frustrating, so I decided to go with an all-black design instead.
But I’m happy with the result; I’ll do some more sketching, get hold of good knives, and produce a more detailed piece.


r/printmaking 1d ago

relief/woodcut/lino Ring-Necked Snake reduction print

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83 Upvotes

This is my second reduction print ever and overall I’m happy with how it turned out :) 9.5x12


r/printmaking 1d ago

tools I’ve started using blue ink and I’m obsessed

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9 Upvotes

r/printmaking 1d ago

mixed media/experimental Goldfish in a bag

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53 Upvotes

I made this lino print as part of my final major project art installation called “the unfair ground”, taking inspiration from when goldfish could be won as prizes at the fair. Did you ever win one?


r/printmaking 1d ago

relief/woodcut/lino This week's work

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58 Upvotes

Both are reductions even though the one above doesn't feel like it, still pretty amateurish, any and all tips are welcome


r/printmaking 2d ago

relief/woodcut/lino Second linocut ever!!

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672 Upvotes

really happy with how this turned out.


r/printmaking 1d ago

intaglio/engraving/etching Etching printmaking - First Attempt

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26 Upvotes

Also based on the lyrics of a Hungarian alternative band.


r/printmaking 1d ago

relief/woodcut/lino The longing to nurture

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20 Upvotes

Linocut print


r/printmaking 2d ago

relief/woodcut/lino Paris riverbanks

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297 Upvotes

Quite disappointed to note only at the end that the roofs are crooked, but it was too late to correct it.


r/printmaking 2d ago

relief/woodcut/lino Frame/Foliage Multi-unit Print

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90 Upvotes

I have been wanting to push my prints larger but I have a small (6x8) press. So I decided to bring in some of my quilting knowledge (the pattern is based on a traditional "Drunkard's Path" block) and work in repeat blocks/units to build a bigger print. Each block is 3x3 so the full piece is 18x18