Block Printing

A brayer, sometimes called a roller, is a tool used to get an even coating of ink applied to your block surface for printing. For a variety of block and ink types, Speedball offers two main materials for brayers with soft rubber and hard rubber options.

A baren is a handheld tool used to apply pressure to evenly transfer an image from a block for a smooth print. Often disc shaped, barens can be made from a variety of hard surface materials good for different printing methods.

In block printing, your carving must be a mirror image of your desired print as the printing process necessitates the paper or block be flipped over when transferring the inked image. This means you must carve any letters reversed so they print correctly.

Both are certifications recieved from the Art and Creative Materials Institute as a result of extensive toxicological testing. AP is for products that contain no materials in sufficient quantities to be toxic or injurious to humans, including children, or to cause acute or chronic health problems. CL is for products that are labeled in accordance with the chronic hazard labeling standard and are certified to be not hazardous if used in accordance with directions on packaging.