Please note that we no longer stock Speedball Speedy Carve Blocks, we suggest Essdee MasterCut Carving Blocks as an alternative. The MasterCut Carving Blocks can be used in the same way as Speedy Carve Blocks and the following information will apply.
The Speedy Carve block is made from smooth and flexible rubber. It cuts easily with lino cutter blades and does not crumble, making it ideal for creating detailed prints. The latex free rubber also stops the block from slipping around while it is being cut.
The wavy lines on this carving block were cut freehand using a lino cutter.
More about the Speedy Carve block
The blocks are available in a choice of 3 sizes; 3″ x 4″, 4″ x 6″ and a large 6″ x 12″. They can be used as they are or easily cut to the required size with a craft knife (please see Essdee MasterCut Carving Blocks as an alternative).
Speedball recommend that the Speedy Carve is used with water soluble paints and block printing inks. We suggest using Essdee Block Printing inks and Essdee Fabric Block Printing inks. Alternatively, an acrylic based paint thickened with Daler Rowney System 3 Block Printing Medium will work equally well.
The rubber is so flexible that it can be used to print onto cylindrical objects such as plant pots, tin cans or cardboard tubes.
Uses for the cut Speedy Carve block
The print below was created using Jacquard Lumiere paints. These thick acrylic paints are water soluble and available in a large choice of shimmering colours for a variety of surfaces, including fabric. The paint has pooled slightly in the recesses of the cut block and thickening the paint would produce a finer print.
Block printing inks have are formulated specifically for printing and applied to the block using a brayer roller. The brayer is used to cover the block with a uniform coating of ink helping to ensure a clear transfer. If you prevent the paint or ink from drying on the block, it is easy to wash off with soap and warm water.
We used the same cut Speedy Carve block as a texture sheet or stamp for polymer clay. Polymer clay is a smooth modelling clay which can be low temperature heat hardened in a domestic oven.
The 6mm deep block can also be cut to make a mould for fine modelling materials such as Art Clay Silver clays. Use a little petroleum jelly in the mould and release the item while gently flexing the block.
Essdee MasterCut Carving Blocks
Although we no longer stock Speedball Speedy Carve Blocks, Essdee MasterCut Carving Blocks have similar properties and can be cut easily to make texture stamps for use with polymer clays or moulds for shaping Art Clay Silver Clays.
