How to Make a Rubber Tube Print

An old Tibetan woodblock.

In ancient times, woodblocks were used to transmit art and text to paper or fabric. It was the best way to mass print before the printing press, as the ancients would laboriously carve out intricate designs or long scriptural verses onto blocks of wood. You don't need to learn how to carve wood, however, to make your own version of a woodblock. It's called a rubber tube print, and it's cheap and easy. Here's how it's done.

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Pen
• Scissors
• Rubber tire tubing
• Glue
• Small wooden board
• Paint

Instructions

How to Make a Rubber Tube Print

1. Draw your desired design or picture on a piece of paper.

2. Cut the design or picture out of the paper and place it on top of the rubber tire tubing.

3. Trace the outline of the design or picture onto the tubing with a pen.

4. Cut the design or picture out of the tubing using scissors. You should now have a piece of rubber tubing in the shape of your design or picture.

5. Glue the piece of rubber tubing (that you just cut out) onto a small block of wood. Wait for the glue to dry before proceeding to Step 6.

6. Cover the piece of tubing with paint, then press it carefully onto whatever you wish to decorate.

Tips & Warnings

• Use your print to decorate cards, stationary, tablecloths, curtains--you name it.

• When you are applying paint to the rubber tubing, be sure not to get any on the wood!