{"id":4899,"date":"2020-09-29T09:00:25","date_gmt":"2020-09-29T16:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.textileindie.com\/?p=4899"},"modified":"2023-10-25T14:35:30","modified_gmt":"2023-10-25T21:35:30","slug":"block-printing-acrylic-paint","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.textileindie.com\/block-printing-acrylic-paint\/","title":{"rendered":"Block Printing with Acrylic Paint"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Block printing with acrylic paint is a method of printing on fabric or paper using a block of linoleum or rubber with a design carved into the surface. The block is dipped in a mix of acrylic paint and textile medium and then stamped onto the printable material.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Materials and tools you need to make a block print<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are two materials I would suggest for creating your block printing block\u2014either linoleum or rubber. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Linoleum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Linoleum is a hard material. A design is carved into the surface of linoleum using a sharp set of carving knives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Working with linoleum blocks takes patience and focus. Because the surface is hard, the carving process is slow and takes a lot of knife control and hand strength. This kind of block makes a beautiful print, but may not be the best material for a beginner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Linoleum blocks make a better print on paper. The hard surface transfers the design to the surface of the paper more accurately and crisply.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\nSpeedball Unmounted Linoleum Printing Block – 4” x 6”<\/a>\n\n\n\n

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Rubber<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I would suggest beginners start with a rubber block because it has a softer surface and carves more smoothly than the linoleum block. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

By using a set of carving tools, a rubber block can easily be designed and carved. The caution with rubber blocks is to take care when cutting. The material gives to the knife so readily, you can accidentally slip and carve more than you intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rubber blocks are great for printing on fabric because they are flexible and can adjust better to the surface of the fabric, as opposed to the harder rigid linoleum block. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\nSoft-Kut Printing Block – 12” x 12”<\/a>\n\n\n\n

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Carving set<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The carving set I’ve been using is a cheap craft store set of knives that I got as a kid. They are duller than I would like, and someday I will upgrade to better tools. My point is you can start with something super simple, especially when working with soft rubber. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blick Art carries a versatile, affordable set. I love how the tips fit in the handle making this a great tool and project for on-the-go. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\"Speedball<\/a>\n\n\n\n

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Using carving tools<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Carving tools come in several different types. Each one works for various aspects of the carving process. I’ll share the specific blade types I’ve used the most and how I’ve used them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Triangle blades (multiple sizes)<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

This blade is V-shaped. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I use it in removing material around my design. This blade can carve a grooved surface in the negative space (the area you are removing block material from). Depending on personal taste, having some of the grooved surface show up in your print can add to the interest of the design. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I suggest having several different sizes of this blade so that you have options for getting into large or small spaces. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Semicircle blades (multiple sizes)<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

This blade is curved to form a half-circle. These are great blades for removing material around your design, for the negative space. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I suggest having several different sizes of this blade so that you have options for getting into large or small spaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Small or big oblique blade<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

An oblique blade is a knife with an angled sharp edge. This is an excellent knife for cutting around the outlines of your designs. I use it to separate the material\/design I want to remain on the block from the area I will be removing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This way, when I use the semicircle or triangle blade to remove the negative space areas, I don’t nick into the design I wanted to keep; the pre-made cut ends the removal cut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Using carving tools safety<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Carving tools are knives in a variety of shapes and angles. They are sharp and, if used improperly, can cause injury. My grandpa used to drill into me and my siblings that we always needed to cut away from ourselves. The one time my brother got careless, he ended up getting ten stitches on his thumb. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting away from yourself is a crucial safety precaution. However, with block printing, it can be very tempting to get careless and just follow the pattern on the surface – whatever direction it’s aiming. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

My tip here is to move the block, not the direction you are cutting. This will also protect your wrist from getting tweaked trying to work in a weird position that could cause stress injuries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I want to be making things with my hands well into my wisdom years, so I try to think about these things now. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Creating a block print design<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Starting with something simple and geometric is ideal for your first block print design. I started with this set of shapes with which I did a straightforward design. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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From there, I was able to make something a bit more detailed like this design. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The difficulty comes in identifying which aspects of a design are negative or positive space. The negative space is that which won’t be printed onto the fabric surface; it will be the fabric showing through. The positive area is the design and what you will be block printing with acrylic paint. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can either sketch your own design and figure out which parts will be negative and which will be positive space. Or you can find block printing designs online. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’ll be using these simple geometric blocks to show you the process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Here is a printable version of these designs you can use to make your own blocks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Geometric Block Printing Patterns<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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How to carve a rubber block<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Using a set of sharp carving tools and a rubber block, I will show you the process for carving a geometric block print. Use these directions for any design of your choice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • Print or draw your design on a piece of paper. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Cut out around the design.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Trace around the design with a thick line of pencil.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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    • Transfer the design to the surface of your block: Place the graphite side down on your rubber surface. Using one hand hold the paper in place and use the other hand to rub the end of a pencil over the backside of the paper until the pencil lines transfer to the rubber surface. Go in and darken all the lines with your pencil.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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      • Using the oblique blade, carve around the design aspects you want to keep on the block<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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        • Begin carving away the negative spaces using the triangle or semicircle blades<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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