Carving a Wood Block for Printing

• 1). Lightly draw the design you wish to print on the linoleum side of the wood block. The area you draw will be carved out, leaving the positive or raised image as the final design for your stamp.
  
  
• 2). Use the carving tools to carefully carve out your design. Play with textures, repeated marks, curvy lines, dots and dashes to create different effects.
  
  
• 3). Blow off your linoleum block once you have finished carving. This is to make sure no leftover dust will affect your final print.
  
  
• 4). Pour about 2 tablespoons of your preferred silkscreen ink color into a tray and spread it around a bit so it is even and flat. It should not be deeper than the linoleum on your block.
  
  
• 5). Dip the linoleum side of your block into the ink and then press it onto a test piece of newspaper. You may find that you have to stamp it a couple of times on the newspaper to achieve a good print that shows all of the lines that you have carved.
  
  
• 6). Press the linoleum block onto a piece of ironed fabric to stamp on your design. This can be repeated as many times as you like.