Top 20 Block Printing Supplies to Master for Designing Custom Textiles at Home
There’s a unique magic in transforming a plain piece of fabric into a vibrant, patterned masterpiece with your own two hands. It’s a connection to an ancient art form, a way to infuse your personality into everything from tea towels to tote bags. If you’ve ever admired a beautifully hand-printed textile and thought, "I wish I could do that," I’m here to tell you that you absolutely can. Welcome to the wonderful world of block printing at home!
Block printing, also known as relief printing, is an incredibly accessible and rewarding craft. It doesn't require a giant, expensive press or a dedicated studio. With a handful of quality tools and a bit of space on your kitchen table, you can start creating stunning, custom textiles. This process allows you to turn your doodles into repeatable patterns, creating fabric that is uniquely yours for sewing projects, home decor, or thoughtful handmade gifts.
This guide is your ultimate checklist for getting started. We'll walk through the top 20 essential supplies, from the carving blocks that will hold your designs to the inks that will bring them to life on fabric. Whether you're a complete beginner eager to make your first print or a seasoned crafter looking to refine your textile printing toolkit, this list will set you on the path to success. Let's dive in and gear up for your printmaking adventure!
The Ultimate Toolkit: 20 Block Printing Supplies for Fabric
Here are the tools and materials that will turn your home into a textile design studio. We’ll cover the absolute must-haves and a few extras that will make your process smoother and more professional.
1. Soft-Cut Carving Blocks
This is where your design journey begins! Soft-cut blocks are, without a doubt, the best starting point for any budding block printer. Made from a pliable, rubber-like material, they are incredibly easy to carve. Think of it like cutting through cold butter—the tool glides with minimal effort, which reduces hand fatigue and makes the carving process a pure joy.
These blocks are perfect for building confidence. Because they are so forgiving, you can focus on mastering your carving technique and bringing your design to life without wrestling with the material itself. Brands like Speedball’s pink Speedy-Carve blocks are a fan-favorite and the go-to recommendation for my students. They hold fine detail well and make the initial learning curve feel much less steep.
Pro-Tip: Soft-cut blocks don't have a "right" side, so you can use both sides for practice or for two different designs, making them very economical when you're starting out.
2. Traditional Linoleum Blocks
Once you're comfortable with soft-cut blocks, you might want to graduate to traditional linoleum. Made from natural materials like linseed oil and cork dust, linoleum (or "lino") is the classic choice for printmakers. It’s a harder, denser material that offers a distinctly satisfying carving experience. It holds exceptionally fine lines and crisp edges, making it ideal for intricate and detailed designs.
Carving lino requires a bit more muscle and control, so sharp tools are a must. Some artists find it helpful to gently warm the surface with a hairdryer for a few seconds to make it slightly more pliable before carving. While it has a steeper learning curve, the professional-quality results are well worth the effort.
Pro-Tip: Look for "unmounted" linoleum, which is just the block itself. "Mounted" lino is attached to a thick piece of wood, which is more common for use in a printing press and less necessary for printing on fabric at home.
3. Fabric Block Printing Ink
This is one of the most critical supplies, and it's a non-negotiable one: you must use ink specifically formulated for fabric. Regular block printing or acrylic ink will feel stiff on the fabric and will likely wash out the first time you launder it. Fabric block printing inks are designed to bind with the fibers of the cloth, creating a soft feel and a permanent, washable design once properly heat-set.
These inks come in a wide range of vibrant colors and are typically water-based, which makes for easy cleanup with just soap and water. Brands like Speedball and Versatex offer excellent fabric printing inks that are reliable and easy to work with. They have a perfect "tacky" consistency that rolls out smoothly onto your brayer and transfers cleanly to your block.
Pro-Tip: You can easily mix custom colors! Start with your primary colors (red, yellow, blue) plus black and white, and you can create an entire spectrum of unique shades for your projects.
4. A Quality Brayer (Ink Roller)
A brayer is the tool you'll use to apply a thin, even layer of ink to your carved block. A good brayer is an investment that will last you for years and significantly impact the quality of your prints. Look for a soft rubber brayer. The soft rubber is more forgiving and does a better job of distributing ink evenly over the carved surfaces of your block, especially if it has fine details.
When you roll ink onto your block, you’re aiming for a texture that looks like fine velvet or the skin of an orange. You should hear a gentle "hissing" or "zipping" sound—that's the sign of a perfectly inked block. If it’s gloopy or silent, you have too much ink. If it’s patchy, you don’t have enough. Your brayer is your key to getting this just right.
Pro-Tip: A 4-inch brayer is a great, versatile size to start with. It’s large enough to cover most beginner-sized blocks quickly but small enough to handle with ease.
5. Lino Cutter Set
Your lino cutters are your carving instruments, the tools that will bring your drawing to life in 3D. A standard set typically comes with a handle and several interchangeable cutting nibs in different shapes and sizes. The two most important nibs are the V-gouge and the U-gouge.
The V-gouge is perfect for creating sharp, fine lines and outlining your design. The U-gouge comes in various sizes and is used for clearing away larger areas of the block. Learning how each nib carves is part of the fun. A basic, affordable set from a brand like Speedball or Essdee is all you need to get started. You can always upgrade to more professional, palm-held tools later on.
Pro-Tip: Always carve away from your body and keep your non-carving hand behind the tool. Safety first! A slip of the tool can cause a nasty cut.
6. Bench Hook
Speaking of safety, a bench hook is an essential piece of equipment. This simple device, usually made of metal or wood, hooks over the edge of your table and provides a stop-end to brace your block against while you carve. This prevents the block from slipping and allows you to use both hands to safely and confidently guide your cutting tool.
Using a bench hook completely changes the carving experience. Instead of one hand trying to hold the block still while the other carves, you can now use your non-dominant hand to help guide the cutter, giving you far more control and precision. This is arguably the most important safety tool in your kit.
Pro-Tip: If you don't have a bench hook, you can place a non-slip mat (like a piece of shelf liner) under your block. It’s not as secure, but it’s better than carving on a slippery tabletop.
7. An Inking Plate
You need a smooth, non-porous surface to roll your ink out into a thin, even layer before applying it to your block. You can’t just squeeze ink from the tube directly onto the brayer! An inking plate is the solution. This can be as simple as a sheet of glass or plexiglass (you can often get a cheap piece from a hardware store or use glass from an old picture frame with the edges taped for safety).
The goal is to squeeze a small amount of ink onto the plate and use your brayer to roll it out vertically and horizontally until you have that thin, velvety layer we talked about. A dedicated inking plate makes this process clean and consistent every single time.
Pro-Tip: An old, smooth ceramic tile or even a laminated sheet of paper taped to your work surface can work in a pinch.
8. Natural Fiber Fabrics
The fabric you choose will have a huge impact on the final look and feel of your print. For beginners, I always recommend starting with natural fibers like 100% cotton, linen, or a cotton-linen blend. These fabrics have a tight, even weave that absorbs the ink beautifully, resulting in crisp, clear prints.
Before you start printing, it’s crucial to pre-wash and dry your fabric. This removes any sizing or chemicals from the manufacturing process and pre-shrinks the material, ensuring your design doesn’t distort after its first real wash. Iron the fabric smooth before printing for the best possible surface.
Pro-Tip: Start with small, inexpensive items like cotton tea towels, canvas tote bags, or fat quarters of fabric. This takes the pressure off and lets you experiment freely without worrying about "ruining" expensive yardage.
9. A Baren or a Wooden Spoon
Once your inked block is placed on the fabric, you need to apply firm, even pressure to transfer the ink. This is where a baren comes in. A baren is a simple, disk-like tool with a handle that you rub across the back of your block. It helps distribute pressure evenly, ensuring all parts of your design make contact with the fabric.
Don't have a baren? No problem! One of the best-kept secrets in printmaking is that the back of a sturdy wooden spoon works just as well. The smooth, curved surface is perfect for burnishing the block and achieving a solid, beautiful print. This is a classic trick I, Goh Ling Yong, still use when I’m in a pinch or teaching a workshop on a budget.
Pro-Tip: When using a baren or spoon, work in small, circular motions, making sure to apply pressure to the center, all four corners, and the edges of your block.
10. A Padded Printing Surface
Printing on a hard surface like a wooden table can result in a patchy, incomplete print. Fabric needs a little bit of "give" to properly receive the ink. Creating a padded printing surface is the secret to getting a rich, solid impression every time.
You don't need anything fancy. A few layers of felt, a folded-up towel, a sheet of craft foam, or a cork board placed under your fabric will do the trick perfectly. This slight cushioning allows the fabric to mold around the raised surface of your block, ensuring a complete transfer of ink.
Pro-Tip: Some printmakers swear by a stack of newspapers, but I find it can sometimes leave an indented texture on the fabric. A soft, flat surface like felt is ideal.
11. Sketchbook and Pencils
Every great print starts with a great design. Your sketchbook is your creative playground. Use it to brainstorm ideas, practice drawing motifs, and plan your compositions. Don't worry about creating perfect drawings; the goal is to get your ideas down on paper.
Remember that whatever you draw is what you will carve away. The raised, un-carved areas are what will be printed. It can be helpful to shade in the areas you plan to leave raised on your sketch. This helps you visualize the final print, which will be a mirror image of what you see on the block.
Pro-Tip: Keep your initial designs simple! Bold shapes, thick lines, and graphic patterns work wonderfully for block printing and are easier to carve successfully when you're starting out.
12. Tracing Paper
Tracing paper is your best friend for transferring your design from your sketchbook onto your carving block. It allows you to refine your drawing on paper first before committing it to the block.
Simply place the tracing paper over your final sketch and trace the design with a soft pencil (like a 2B or 4B). The soft graphite is key to the next step of the transfer process. This method gives you a clean, precise outline to follow as you carve.
Pro-Tip: After tracing, go over the lines on the back of the tracing paper as well. This adds an extra layer of graphite that will make the transfer to the block even darker and clearer.
13. Palette Knife
A palette knife is a small, flexible metal spatula that is incredibly useful in the inking process. It's the perfect tool for scooping ink out of the pot and onto your inking plate. Trying to do this with a spoon or your brayer is messy and wasteful.
Its main advantage, however, is for mixing custom colors. You can use the palette knife to cleanly mix two or more ink colors on your plate until you achieve the perfect hue, all without contaminating your main ink pots. It's a simple tool that adds a level of professionalism and tidiness to your workflow.
Pro-Tip: Wipe your palette knife clean between colors to avoid muddying your ink. A quick wipe with a damp cloth is all it takes.
14. Masking Tape or Painter's Tape
A humble roll of tape is an unsung hero in the printmaking studio. Its primary use is to secure your fabric to your work surface. This prevents the fabric from shifting or stretching while you're printing, which is crucial for achieving a sharp, smudge-free impression.
Tape is also invaluable for creating a registration system for multi-color prints or for aligning repeating patterns. You can create simple L-shaped guides with tape on your work surface to ensure you place your block in the exact same spot every time.
Pro-Tip: Use low-tack painter's tape. It holds securely but peels off easily without leaving a sticky residue or damaging the fibers of your fabric.
15. Craft Knife (X-Acto Knife)
While your lino cutters will do the bulk of the carving, a sharp craft knife is essential for a couple of key tasks. It’s perfect for cleaning up the edges of your block, trimming away any frayed bits, or cutting out large, straight-edged areas of negative space.
A craft knife also allows you to cut your large carving blocks down to a custom size for your specific project. This ensures you’re not wasting material and are working with a block that is perfectly proportioned for your design.
Pro-Tip: Always use a fresh, sharp blade. A dull blade is more dangerous as it requires more force and can slip easily. Use a cutting mat underneath to protect your work surface.
16. Graphite or Carbon Paper
This is an alternative method for transferring your design. After you've finalized your sketch on regular paper, you can place a sheet of graphite or carbon paper (graphite side down) onto your block, place your drawing on top, and trace over the lines with a pen or a hard pencil. The pressure will transfer the design onto the block.
This method is quick, easy, and produces a very clear line to follow. It’s a matter of personal preference whether you use this or the tracing paper method. I often suggest my students try both to see which workflow they prefer.
Pro-Tip: Secure your drawing and the carbon paper to the block with a small piece of tape so they don't shift while you're tracing.
17. Rags, Paper Towels, or Baby Wipes
Printmaking can be a messy business, but it doesn't have to be. Having cleaning supplies at the ready is essential. A stash of old rags, a roll of paper towels, or a pack of unscented baby wipes are perfect for wiping up ink spills, cleaning your inking plate, and tidying your tools.
Baby wipes are particularly brilliant for cleaning ink off your hands and for quickly wiping down your brayer and palette knife between colors. Keeping your workspace clean not only feels better but also prevents accidental smudges and ink transfers onto your final fabric piece.
Pro-Tip: To clean your carved block, gently wipe away excess ink with a damp cloth. Avoid scrubbing too hard or soaking the block, especially if it’s traditional linoleum, which can be damaged by too much water.
18. Apron
This might seem obvious, but it's worth stating: fabric ink is permanent! Protect your clothes by wearing an apron or old clothes you don't mind getting stained. It's easy to lean over your inking plate or accidentally brush a freshly printed piece of fabric. An apron gives you the freedom to create without worrying about ruining your favorite shirt.
Think of it as part of your creative uniform. Putting on your apron can be a small ritual that helps you shift from your daily routine into a focused, creative mindset.
Pro-Tip: Choose a sturdy canvas or denim apron, preferably with a pocket or two for holding small tools or a cleaning rag.
19. Iron and Ironing Board
This step is what makes your beautiful print permanent. After your ink has fully dried (this can take anywhere from 24 to 72 hours, depending on the ink and humidity), you need to heat-set it. This process uses heat to cure the ink, permanently bonding it to the fabric fibers and making it washable.
To do this, place a piece of scrap cloth or parchment paper over your printed design and iron it on a high setting (without steam) for a few minutes, keeping the iron moving. Always follow the specific instructions on your fabric ink container, as times and temperatures can vary.
Pro-Tip: Don’t skip this step! If you forget to heat-set your design, it will fade dramatically or wash out completely the first time it goes through the laundry.
20. Patience and a Playful Attitude
This is the most important supply of all, and it doesn’t cost a thing. Block printing is a craft of practice and process. Your first print might not be perfect, and that is completely okay! Every "mistake" is a learning opportunity. Maybe an imperfect print becomes a cool, grungy texture. Perhaps a slip of the carving tool leads to an unexpected new shape in your design.
Embrace the handmade quality of your work. The slight variations and imperfections are what give block-printed textiles their unique charm and character. A question I often get asked by new students in my workshops is how to make every print identical. My answer is always: "Why would you want to?" The beauty is in the human touch. So, be patient with yourself, have fun with the process, and celebrate every print you create.
Your Creative Journey Awaits
And there you have it—the complete guide to the supplies you need to start designing and printing your own custom textiles at home. Gathering your tools is the first exciting step on a deeply rewarding creative path. The real joy comes from the rhythm of carving, the satisfaction of rolling out the perfect layer of ink, and the thrill of lifting the block to reveal your first beautiful print.
Don't feel like you need to buy everything on this list at once. Start with the basics: a soft-cut block, a simple carving set, one tube of fabric ink, a brayer, and some cotton tea towels. You can build your kit over time as you fall in love with the process.
Now, it’s your turn. What design are you dreaming of creating? A field of wildflowers for a pillowcase? A geometric pattern for a custom tote bag? I would absolutely love to see what you make. Share your first projects on social media and tag me so I can cheer you on! Happy printing
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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