Speedball Speedy-Carve Pink Carving Block – 3 × 4 in

A small block for a focused stamp

The 3 × 4 inch Speedball Speedy-Carve block is a soft pink carving surface for detailed stamps and relief printing. Use the compact rectangle for a leaf, initial, bookplate emblem or small label motif. It gives you a manageable area when you want to try a new carving mark without beginning with a larger sheet.

Plan the image before carving

Draw a 76.2×101.6 mm rectangle on scrap paper and arrange the image inside it. Leave some material around the motif for handling. For a bookplate, check that the lettering and border fit together before transferring the drawing. A simple silhouette also gives you room to compare a rounded gouge mark with a sharper V-cut.

Transfer your drawing and check the marks

Draw with a soft pencil on paper, place the drawing pencil-side down on the block and hold it steady while rubbing the reverse. Reinforce faint lines with pencil. Check lettering and image orientation before carving. The raised areas carry ink; remove the spaces that should remain blank. Support the block on a stable work surface and work in controlled cuts.

Ink, proof and refine

Use water-soluble or oil-based block-printing ink and follow its directions for your chosen paper or fabric. Make a proof impression before starting a batch. Print the same motif on several scraps before decorating a finished card. Small changes to ink coverage or pressure can alter the detail that appears in the impression. Clean the finished block according to the ink maker’s instructions and let it dry before storage.

Material, size and contents

Supplied as one pink, latex-free carving block containing PVC. Nominal size: 3 × 4 inches, approximately 76.2 × 101.6 mm. Metric figures are conversions of the stated inch size. Tools, ink and paper are purchased separately. Speedball specifies hand carving and excludes use with laser cutters.

Helpful guides

Inking your linocut block · Cleaning after lino printing