Speedball Speedy-Carve Blocks

This is my go to for block printing! Such a great product!

I have just done my first block printing. It was easy to carve. Definitely will buy more.

I took a rubber stamp carving workshop and got frustrated because the material (one of the knock-offs) crumbled so much. This more expensive product from Speedball is worth it for us beginners--it is very forgiving and makes me a better carver!

I use this product to create unique stamps that I press into stoneware clay. This product is thick, which allows me to carve both fine details and create dimension. The stamps clean with soap and water, store flat, and last for many years.

I like this because it is fast to carve, but I don’t like that material tears really easily. It’s hard to explain, but I had already tried to carve on the other material. I don’t know what that’s called. I have to look it up, but it’s a harder surface. It’s not wood. It’s a different laminate type material anyways that one seemed to have worked better this one I do like that you don’t have to push his hard so I guess if you’re practicing it’s a great piece to practice on especially if you’re trying to hurry up see if it’s for a gift or something like that like I did. I liked it for that purpose. I bought an extra piece because I thought that I would use it again, but I didn’t rush back into it like I thought I would’ve.

Still supple after all of these years!I wrote the below review 10 years ago, and figure there might be some people wondering how long this product will last, especially given how much love and work goes into carving your own stamps. So, just for that reason, I've pulled out my old stamps to see how they are doing.They're doing WONDERFULLY! Even after 10 years, the material is still the same consistency--firm enough to hold its shape very well, yet desirably soft and pliable with no breakdown. The unused product can still be carved just as if it were brand new. The carved stamps from 10 years ago take the ink as if they were brand new.(I've attached 3 new photos showing the stamps after 10 years, and showing some stamps I attached to wood 10 years ago.)About attaching stamps to wood:In my experience (I only create smaller stamps, up to about 3 inches), attaching stamps to wood isn't necessary, but it can make using the stamps easier. Small stamps can be directly attached to wood. Larger stamps can be directly attached to wood, or could benefit from being attached with a simple piece of craft foam cut to shape and glued in between the wood and the stamping material (adding foam could allow "give" that makes the large stamps stamp more evenly.)The stamps that I attached to wood scraps were glued to the wood with Aleene's Craft Glue 10 years ago, and that glue still holds the stamps securely to the wood. (Simply sand the wood blocks with a 150grit-or-so sandpaper, wipe the blocks down with a very lightly moist cloth to remove the dust from the sanding, let dry thoroughly, create a stamp impression on one side, attach the stamp to the wood with Aleene's Craft Glue, let dry thoroughly---then, viola!)End 2025 update.---------------Original review from 2015:I can carve very fine details with great successI use this product all the time to create intricately detailed hand-carved stamps. The material is rigid enough to hold its form, yet flexible enough to allow for even image stamping. I find that the material doesn't crumble while carving, and maintains its shape after it has been carved. I can carve very fine details with great success. Every time I use this product, I find no problems in using it; making stamp carving a very relaxing and enjoyable process. With a 6x12 sheet I can make many many stamps!

CONTEXTWe wanted to get some shirts and dresses printed for our wedding, but when we got the quote from our local printers, it was insane and not worth it. I had already planned to do block printing on some shirts we purchased and had a little bit of practice, so I figured this would be the perfect time to do it.PROS- Very smooth and easy AF to carve.- This is large! One block of this can make a nice, large print on a dress or shirt.CONS- It is quite flimsy, so you'll have to be careful when actually block printing... especially if you make a large print like I did.OVERALLI love Speedball carving blocks! They are very easy to use, even for first-timers.

My favorite carving rubber. Perfect for smooth and easy cuts.