Make Your Own Rubber Stamps

Working on the projects for this article took me back to my college years and the printmaking studio where I spent so much time. My emphasis area for my BFA in Studio Art was printmaking. At the time I did mostly woodcuts. Rubber stamps are basically made the same way, only the material is much easier to cut. I think if you make one you will be addicted and have to do more. It’s very soothing to cut the negative areas of the stamp away; the time flies by and you’re finished before you know it.

I want to supply you with a list of the items that are needed, a few tips, step-by-step directions in creating a stamp, and also show you a few completed projects that I’ve made using my stamps.

Items Needed:
Paper
A permanent black pen
Ink pad of your choice
An image to carve
Carving material
A carving tool

I have used the Speedy-Stamp carving block for most of my projects. It will be the product that is easiest to find, as both Hobby Lobby and Michael's carry it. I have also used a product from the Dick Blick catalog called E-Z-Cut Printing blocks. It is less expensive and works just as well, but has to be ordered through the catalog.

The carving tool brand I use, Speedball Linoleum Cutters, can be purchased as a set. The set comes with six blades: a Liner, a V-Gouge, a Large Liner, a U-Gouge, a Large Gouge and a Knife. I used a combination of the Liner and the U-Gouge for these projects.

Each blade is numbered and the number corresponds to its size. Numbers 1 and 2 are V's; 3, 4, & 5's are U's (4 is more squared at the bottom); and 6 is similar to an exacto knife blade. Each is helpful for different reasons. The Liner, which is a very small V-Gouge, is used to do the initial cuts around the shapes and the U-Gouge is best for removing large areas. The blades are stored in the handle of the tool when not in use.

It's also possible to buy just the handle and the tools that you want, rather than the entire set. If this is the route chosen, the ones I used are the #1 Small V-Gouge and the #5 Large U-Gouge.

Next are a few tips to keep in mind before you start.

1. Choose an image that doesn’t have a lot of detail.
2. Choose something that will have either multiple uses for you or something that you can’t find on the market.
3. Bold lines are easier to cut and print than small dainty ones.
4. Always cut away from your body and keep both of your hands behind the cutting area.
5. When finished with the tool, store the blades properly as a safety precaution.

The simplest project that I did was a Popsicle. I wanted it for a scrapbook layout and also for summer themed greeting cards. I began by drawing the basic shape on paper. I trimmed my paper to be the same dimensions as the size of rubber that I was going to carve.

I made sure that the lines were nice and thick so they would be easier to cut and easier to transfer to the carving block. The next step is to take your drawing and lay it face down on top of the carving block as illustrated below.

While holding the image in place, firmly rub over the back of the paper. The pressure will transfer some of the pencil markings to the rubber. It won’t be a perfect image. This is what my image looked like.

It’s a bit faint but I was able to see it well enough to go over all my lines with a permanent black pen.

The next step is to cut away at all the white areas. I generally use the fine liner blade to go around the edges of all my black lines and then I use a larger blade to remove the large open spaces. This is what my Popsicle looked like when I finished cutting it.

The next step is to ink it just like it was any other rubber stamp and print it. Because the block is around 1/2 inch thick, it can be placed face down and stamped like any other stamp. However, if the size of the block is much larger than 4” x 6”, it's easier to apply the ink with a brayer than to use a stamp pad. The stamp can be cleaned with your regular stamp cleaner and it will last through numerous printings.

The other two stamp projects that I made were a layout about my fun new car and the title page for my “ME” art journal. I hope you enjoyed seeing my creations and that you’ll be inspired to try it for yourself. If you have any questions just let me know.

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