Lino is short for linoleum, a type of durable flooring material made from natural ingredients like linseed oil, cork dust, and wood flour pressed onto a backing. For over a century, lino has been popular in kitchens, hallways, and schools because it's tough, easy to clean, and comes in countless colors and patterns. You've probably walked across lino floors many times without thinking about it: that smooth, slightly springy surface in your school cafeteria or your grandmother's kitchen is likely lino.

The word also refers to linocut, a printmaking technique where artists carve designs into blocks of linoleum. The raised parts get inked, then pressed onto paper to create prints. It works like a fancy rubber stamp: you carve away the parts you want to stay white, ink what's left, and press it onto paper. Many art classes teach linocut because linoleum is softer and safer to carve than wood, making it perfect for creating bold, graphic images. Artists can print multiple copies of the same design, which is why you might see linocut prints sold at art fairs or in museum shops.