How to Carve a Stamp

Instead of limiting yourself to store-bought stamps, let your imagination run free by making your own. With only a few items, you can carve your own stamps and start making creative, one-of-a-kind designs.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Purchase an Artist Carving Block at an art or crafts store or online. Mastercarve is one brand that makes these blocks, which feel like erasers and cut easier than traditional linoleum blocks. They come in two different sizes: 2½" x 2½" x ¾" and 2½" x 5" x ¾".

2. Cut the block to whatever size you wish for your stamp.

3. Outline the stamp on a piece of paper and draw the design into the square that you would like on your stamp. Practice this until you get the picture the way you want it.

4. Draw your design onto the stamp with a washable marker or a pencil.

5. Use a carving tool especially made for carving stamps to carve out your picture. You can purchase these at the same place you purchase your carving blocks. Carve an outline around your drawing to make a perfect stamp of your creation.

6. Try your stamp out with a stamp ink pad to see how it looks. Make any changes you wish to make if it doesn't look quite right.

Tips & Warnings

• Leave a frame all the way around the block of your stamp if you wish.
• If you don't like the way your stamp has turned out, you can turn the block over and use the other side.
• Instead of an ink pad, you can also use water washable markers or paint to use your stamp.
• You can also use your new stamp to make images on fabric with fabric paint.

Resources

• The Stampington & Company website has Mastercarve products for sale.