On Saturday, December 10, 2011 our stores hosted a card making demo!  For those that missed it or would like more inspiration, check out this simple card making project for fabulous, custom, handmade cards!  It’s not too late to make your own cards for the holidays.  In 10 simple steps and a quiet evening, you can complete your own set in hardly any time at all!

Materials: card packs or stationery, water-soluble block printing ink, linoleum block, hard rubber brayer, lino cutter set, and scrap board (matboard, cardboard, etc.)

Optional (but helpful) materials: cutting mat, cutting knife, ruler, pencil, glass palette, and spoon

Step 1:  Make sure your block is cut to fit the surface of your card.  Trim larger blocks down on your cutting mat with a cutting knife and ruler.  Map out your design with a pencil on the linoleum block.  Tip: The block will be flipped over to print, so when using text it will need to begin backwards on the top of the block. 

Step 2: Begin cutting your design with your lino cutter.  Use a variety of blades for different line qualities and details.  Don’t cut too deep into the block; always keep the top edge of the blade above the block surface.  Use an extra, small, block or scrap to test the required pressure it takes to achieve your desired look.  Continue cutting until your entire design has been carved out of the block.  Tip: What you cut will not print, the paper will show through.  

Step 3: Pick or mix a color!

Step 4: Lay or squeeze out your color onto a glass palette or scrap board.

Step 5: Use your rubber brayer to pull the ink down. Roll the brayer back and forth to create an even coating of ink on the brayer.

Step 6: Roll the inked brayer on the top of your fully cut block.  Make sure the ink is applied evenly and smoothly across the entire block. 

Step 7: Place your block (ink side down) on the top (front) of your card.

Step 8: Burnish the block to the card.  If the card is smaller, use hands to make sure contact is made between the entire block and card.  Using the backside of a spoon, may be helpful.  Be sure to not slide the block as this will smear your design.

Step 9: Lift up the entire block, starting from a corner, peeling up slowly.

Step 10: Print, print, print!

For more block printing tips check out our videos Linoleum Block Printing, Linoleum Block Printing – Getting Started, and Multi Layer Block Print Technique.

We’d love to see what you make!  Show us your creations on your store’s local Facebook page!