Linear B, as its predecessor Linear A, is a syllabic script and it is written with 89 different signs (see previous post) which represent both vowels (a, e, i, o, u) and syllables of the form consonant + vowel (e.g. ka, ke, ki, ko, ku). In addition to the syllabic signs there are some 100 ideograms, which represent physical objects, numerals and measures of weight, liquid and dry volumes.

Linear B occurs in four classes of objects: clay tablets, clay labels, clay sealings, and ceramic vessels. For the first three classes, the same method of writing was used. The scribe used a sharp-pointed instrument (stylus) and scratched the signs on a lump of soft clay. The incised pieces of clay were then left to dry in the sun. The fires that destroyed the palaces was the only reason that these documents survived to our days.

The tablets, which form the bulk of the survived documents, are of two principal types: long and thin "palm-leaf" tablets and rectangular "page" tablets. The former is more appropriate for individual transactions or assessments while the latter for longer documents such as lists of personnel, commodities and so forth.

The second form of Linear B text consists of painted inscriptions on ceramic vessels, mostly large jars, on whose shoulders between one and three words were painted before the vessels were intentionally fired. These inscriptions were clearly referring to the place of origin of the product.

References
Hooker, J. T. 1980. Linear B: An Introduction, Bristol.
Rutter, J. "Lesson 25: The Linear B Tablets and Mycenaean Social, Political, and Economic Organization",The Prehistoric Archaeology of the Aegean.