Make a printing block without gouges
Press lines and shapes into white Essdee PrintFoam using a pencil or a relatively blunt object. When you roll on a thin ink layer, the indented lines take up less ink and show in the print. Make cards, simple illustrations and patterns without carving the design with lino cutters.
Choose your size and quantity
You receive five or ten blank sheets, each 10 mm thick, in the selected A4 or A5 size. Choose A5 for small designs and cards, or A4 for a larger composition. A ten-sheet pack gives more room to try different designs. Only the foam sheets are included; the pencil, ink, roller, baren and paper in the demonstration photos illustrate how to use them.
Design, ink and print
Reverse letters and numbers in your design. Press your lines gently into the sheet without piercing it. Roll a thin, even layer of suitable block-printing ink over the surface, lay paper on top and rub the back evenly. Lift the paper carefully and inspect your test print. Too much ink can fill fine lines; use less for the next impression.
Print again or cut smaller shapes
Gently wash water-based printing ink from the block and let it dry before re-inking. The indented design remains; washing does not turn the sheet into a blank block again. You can cut the sheets down for smaller stamps or model making. An adult should handle a craft knife, and children need supervision. For finely carved detail, choose a carving material such as MasterCut.
Choose printing ink for paper. View the complete PrintFoam starter kit.
