Intro to Block Printmaking: Create a Set of Greeting Cards

Block printing is a beautiful art form because of its graphic quality, flat design, and handmade feel. Plus, it’s a super fun skill to learn if you are looking for a new, engaging and simple creative practice.

This class is for total bners. If you’ve never touched a printmaking block, carving tool, or ink then this class is for you!

I’m Liz, your instructor teaching from my studio in sunny New Mexico! I’m primarily an illustrator, but my creative journey started with printmaking. This art form has had a huge impact on my creative practice and the artwork I continue to create through my creative business, Prints & Plants.

Now, I’m so excited to share this beautiful creative practice with you.

In This Class, You’ll Learn How to:

create a set of hand-printed greeting cards.

create single color block prints.

create sketches that translate beautifully into a block print design.

transfer your design to a block with my favorite, simple method.

carve printmaking blocks safely, smoothly, and effectively.

use your carving tool to carve with different techniques.

add intentional texture to your block and design.

use best practices for inking and printing your block and cards.

You’ll Walk Away From This Class With:

a set of hand-printed greeting cards to send to loved ones.

an appreciation for block printing as an art form.

a solid knowledge of how to create a single-color block print.

a new creative skill.

new perspectives that can influence your current creative practice.

What You Need:

(This list is also in the Resources document in the Projects & Resources section. The materials list contains affiliate links that I believe in):

To keep it super simple, you can order a Speedball Water-Based Block Printing Starter Set which will give you the essentials to get started. I recommend if you get this set that you also get a 5″x7″ acrylic sheet or bench hook to roll out your ink.

If you’d like to order my favorite specific tools, here they are:

4″ x 6″ linoleum block (I recommend EcoKarve)

Speedball Linoleum Cutter (The No. #1 set is great)

1 color of Speedball water soluble block printing ink (I love black because of the rich contrast with white paper)

Optional: Ink Retarder (slows drying )

Palette knife or plastic knife

Small acrylic sheet to roll out ink (5″ x 7″) -or- an Inking Plate/Bench Hook

4″ Speedball soft rubber brayer to roll out ink

Wooden spoon or baren (or just your hands)!

Blank paper to sketch designs (I like 8.5″x11″ printer paper)

4″ x 6″ smooth, white greeting cards to print your final design (I love LCI)

Alternatively, the slightly smaller recycled cards I am using in the class can be found here.

A number 2 pencil