Block printing tool kit

Block Printing Tool Kit

Molly outlines the essential tools you'll need to get started with block printing.

Essential Tools

• Tracing paper
• Printing paper
• Lino cutting toolset
• Pre-mounted lino block
• Stippler
• Eco fabric paint
• Fruit knife
• Biscuit cutter
• Sand paper
• Iron
• Paint brushes
• Tea towel
• Apron
• Fabrics; cotton and linen
• Paint tray

Recommended Tools

• Felt or old wool blankets as padding
• A sturdy and tall table
• Sugar paper
• Khadi paper
• Sketchbook
• Large potato
• Vintage Indian printing blocks

Paints

• Poster paint
• Emulsion paint
• Water-based screen printing paint
• Chalk paint

Printing on Paper

You can print on paper with poster paint, emulsion paint, or screen printing paint.

Printing on Fabric

• I suggest using water-based screen printing paint, emulsion paint, or chalk paint when printing on fabric.
• I use a print pad made of felt mounted on a plywood panel.
• Padding on the table is very important as it soaks up excess paint and has a lot of give.
• Sugar paper is lovely and absorbent.
• Khadi paper is waste from the t-shirt manufacturing process.
• I recommend as thick lino as possible.
• Prints on fabric are set with an iron on a dry setting.
• I recommend washing blocks in cold water and towelling them down, then leaving them to air dry.
• Essdee sells a great Lino Cutting & Printing Kit, which you can get here.

Pre-Made Kits

I sell various block printing kits that can be useful when taking this course. You can find further information about my kits here.