Wood Block Printing With the ShopBot

I have been a TechShop member for a little over a year. I can't say enough about how much I love the studio atmosphere and being able to watch, learn and collaborate with others. I spend most of my time in the Textiles area and do quite a bit with the laser. For this project, however, I wanted a nice deep cut on the block to make printing easier and therefore used the ShopBot.

• ShopBot
• Wood
• Block Printing Ink
• Fabric
• Brayer
• Surface to roll ink ond

I started with simple vector drawings in Illustrator. You can download them and use them as you please. I did neglect to reflect the Texas shape and so my prints are reflected. That was a great learning experience!

Next you'll take your line drawings into VCarve to create the file to cut on the ShopBot. I won't go into details on that as there are many variables based on the wood you select, bits you have, etc. I have included my file as a sample but please check ALL settings if you plan to use it. You don't want to ruin your ShopBot!

Place a small amount of ink on a flat surface. I used a piece of scrap masonite so that I could throw it away afterwards and not worry about cleanup.

Roll the brayer through the ink multiple times to put a nice even coating of ink on the brayer. Carefully roll the brayer in your block only getting ink on the raised portions.

Fold your fabric or place scrap fabric underneath your printing surface in order to provide a small amount of cushion. Place your block where you'd like the imprint made being very careful not to move the block once it has contacted the fabric.

I used a wood mallet to pound on the block but found that simply tapping it with my hand was just as effective.

When you lift the block the fabric might stick a bit so hold your piece down. Admire your work! Repeat :)

I can't wait to create more blocks to create more textiles to create more objects! Hope you will too!

I made it at Techshop!