Month: May 2013

Very excited about this new product. Transparent Polymer Relief Printing Block. It is similar to Soft Cut but with the bonus of being transparent so you can trace images through. It is a little stiffer to cut than Soft Cut but still softer than Lino.

Draw your image onto a sheet of paper and place under the transparent block.

Cut the paper to the same size as the block and place under the block on a bench hook.

Cut out the background of the block to give an interesting texture.

The finished block.

Thinly roll out your block printing ink and apply an even coat using a roller.

The inked-up block ready for printing.

Place your block on a hard surface, inky side up. Place your paper on top of the block. Use a clean roller to press the ink from the block to the paper, you could also use a wooden spoon or a brayer.

The finished piece!

Full instructions can be downloaded here!

We’ve just received some Safeprint – and it is fab (and quick!). I had a little go this afternoon with my friend’s daughter. It’s really easy to use.

Simply draw your image using a sharp pencil or biro or press objects into it (the end of a ruler or an empty biro works well). Remember anything you draw will be printed in reverse.

Roll out some ink thinly. We used Black waterbased block printing ink but the Speedball Bloc Printing Ink or the Caligo Safe Wash will work well too.

Then roll the ink onto the Safeprint.

Put a thin sheet of paper on top of the Safeprint. Press using a baren or a clean roller. You can turn the paper with the Safeprint stuck to it and press on the back of the Safeprint too. The Safeprint is really soft so not too much pressure is needed.

Peel back the paper and reveal your print.

Here’s one we made just by pushing an empty biro into the Safeprint.