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Rubber stamps are relief-printing blocks, like wood cuts or linoleum cuts. Their small size makes them inexpensive to create and easy to print. They are thus ideal for introducing to students basic printmaking concepts such as image transfer, inking variations, stencil cutting, and color registration.
For an article about the process: Click here

Linoleum cutter with carved polymer block (3"×4"×3/4") The block shows vestiges of the drawing that served as a guide for carving.

Carved polymer block (2 1/2"×3"×1") and prints. Note the characteristic reversal of image from block to print. Blue prints are in water-based ink. Black print is in oil-based ink, with color added to the print.

Use of multiple printings to build image, with crayon additions. Print size: 5" × 4 1/2"

Print (stamp pad ink) with crayon additions to print (5" × 4")

Print from repeats of two stamps (water-based inks with crayon on the print) 5" × 4"

Print from one stamp over-printed in two colors, with crayon additions to print, 4" × 6"

Deeply carved block (left) inked and emboss-printed on clay

Clay embossings from carved blocks. Lower piece inset in felt-covered mounting. Upper pieces painted with glaze when clay had dried.

Piece made from repeat embossing by irregularly shaped block on white craft clay, which was painted when dry and inset in mount.

Painted clay embossing from carved polymer block, inset in mount

Carved polymer block (3" × 4 1/2" × 1/2") used as the basis for the two clay "head" plaques shown in following photo.

Section of exhibition at New York Public Library, October, 2015. The clay head on the left was used to print the head next to it, in a double reversal from the original block. This counter-casting process is a means of creating an image with recessed lines that is easier than carving a block to use for that same purpose.

Section of exhibition at the New York Public Library, June, 2015. On the left is the carved block used to make the chapter heading for the novel "The Telling Pool." Center: clay plaques printed with the same block, then hand colored. Right: front print on vellum paper from same block, with hand-drawn addition (bird) and water color.
For more images from "The Telling Pool" Click here

Print on vellum paper from blocks inked with oil-based ink. Water color was added later to the print, which was placed in a free-standing frame and illuminated from behind.

Teaching at the New York Public Library.

Work by students in classes for adults and children at the New York Public Library 

Stamp prints and wire sculptures by students at PS 75 (NYC)