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How to Carve a Stamp Print Block

The invention of rubber blocks for stamping makes stamping making much easier than if you were to use a wooden block. This is because rubber is a much softer material than wood, and can be carved with ease using a rubber carving tool. This makes stamp making a much more rapid process, and broadens the accessibility of the craft to those who may not have the time and patience to learn how to carve wood. One drawback of rubber stamps, however, is they are not as durable as wooden stamps.

Things You'll Need

  • Pencil
  • Paper
  • Eraser
  • Rubber block
  • Rubber carving tool
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Instructions

    • 1

      Draw a grid on your sheet of paper, with squares or rectangles that are exactly the same size and shape as your rubber stamp block.

    • 2

      Draw the design for your stamp into the grid using a pencil. Keep in mind that small details may not show up on the final print you make with the stamp, because the ink will obscure smaller details. You should also distinguish which areas of the design you will want to carve out, which will leave a white or blank space on the paper once you ink and press your stamp.

    • 3

      Draw your finalized design onto the rubber block using your pencil, using your grid to help you position each elements of the design properly on the stamp.

    • 4

      Use the rubber carving tool to carefully carve out your design from the rubber block. Start by removing only the surface layer of rubber in case you make a mistake and want to correct it.

    • 5

      Carve the design more deeply into the rubber stamp, to a depth of about two to three millimeters. Rub the rubber bits from the surface before you place your stamp into ink.

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