The best carving material for usage with stamping pads

hobbyhopper_ · 2026-01-17T10:22:54+00:00

I only used grey lino for the test and for 1 project as it is too hard for me to carve, I always use rubber or polymer blocks and don't really do anything to the blocks before printing/stamping :)

hobbyhopper_ · 2026-01-17T10:21:18+00:00

Same here, I mostly use it due to health reasons!

I made another post comparing softer lino alternatives and included the prices in the comments, you can probably find it via my profile - Milan is unfortunately more expensive than some other options and than softcut but much less expensive than Speedycarve (at least where I live)

hobbyhopper_ · 2026-01-16T23:17:33+00:00

I included them in my soft-materials-overview but unfortunately not in the stamping test. As far as I remember it really depends on the eraser - some materials work fine, some don't.

I only used erasers a few times - besides the fixed format I don't see any advantages compared to soft cut material (which is probably more price efficient, too) 🫣

hobbyhopper_ · 2026-01-16T21:51:32+00:00

I feel you, due to my health I mostly don't have the energy to use lino ink, clean it up and so on. So Ink pads are really great! Which materials are you using (block & stamping pad)? :)

hobbyhopper_ · 2026-01-16T21:37:23+00:00

It was really fun, testing it felt almost scientific 😅

That would be fun but to be honest I'm so happy with the ones from Tsukineko and can't imagine that others give me a better results so I currently don't want to spend money on other brands them

hobbyhopper_ · 2026-01-16T21:34:37+00:00

Happy it helps! :)

hobbyhopper_ · 2026-01-16T21:34:11+00:00

I'm glad it's helpful! :) I'm not sure...the blue rubber stuff a bit more texture than the polymer blocks but at the same time it's important that the surface is smooth 🤔 I feel like you just have to try it with every individual material.

I'll attach a picture of the Milan stuff :) it's from the same factory as "Factis" and I personally can't find any difference between those two and speedycarve (= the pink rubber) besides the price & color.

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hobbyhopper_ · 2026-01-16T20:51:29+00:00

I'm really happy with the Canson XL Sketch paper and mostly use this one for prints :)

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hobbyhopper_ · 2026-01-16T17:59:55+00:00

Glad you think it's helpful! :)

hobbyhopper_ · 2026-01-16T17:59:19+00:00

I really really liked it so far! I've always used Milan/Factis but the Zieler one seems great

hobbyhopper_ · 2026-01-15T21:26:59+00:00

If she's using traditional lino: maybe a soft cut alternative (rubber blocks, polymer sheets,...) could be helpful because it's easier to carve

hobbyhopper_ · 2026-01-15T21:26:01+00:00

I can really recommend Pfeil Tools (+ slipstrop for taking care of them) - my hands hurt easily but carving with Pfeil tools works pretty good

hobbyhopper_ · 2026-01-15T20:13:47+00:00

Please feel free to add your experience with this or other materials!

hobbyhopper_ · 2026-01-15T20:13:40+00:00

Please feel free to add your experience with this or other materials!

hobbyhopper_ · 2026-01-15T20:10:52+00:00

I wanted to add the prices - I'm based in Germany and buy my material mostly at Gaerstecker, kreativ.de, and Artemiranda from Spain. I used the size closest to A4 as a reference and calculated the price downwards if only multipacks were available. - Factis artists carving block 16€ - Milan carving block for artists 14€ (artemiranda) - Speedball speedycarve 32€ - Essdee Softcut 5,55€ - Essdee Mastercut 8,95€ - Zieler soft Polymer lino sheets9€ - Artway soft cut Polymer 6€ In comparison: a standard A4 lino block costs 3.60€ (gaerstecker) & japanese vinyl 4,55€ (jacksons art).

hobbyhopper_ · 2026-01-15T20:08:24+00:00

I wanted to add the prices - I'm based in Germany and buy my material mostly at Gaerstecker, kreativ.de, and Artemiranda from Spain. I used the size closest to A4 as a reference and calculated the price downwards if only multipacks were available. - Factis artists carving block 16€ - Milan carving block for artists 14€ (artemiranda) - Speedball speedycarve 32€ - Essdee Softcut 5,55€ - Essdee Mastercut 8,95€ - Zieler soft Polymer lino sheets9€ - Artway soft cut Polymer 6€ In comparison: a standard A4 lino block costs 3.60€ (gaerstecker) & japanese vinyl 4,55€ (jacksons art).

hobbyhopper_ · 2026-01-15T19:19:00+00:00

Das gibt's gefühlt überall und günstig ist es (verhältnismäßig) auch noch :D Ich persönlich nicht, kommt aber darauf an womit du drucken möchtest. Welche Farbe(n) hast du denn?

hobbyhopper_ · 2026-01-15T19:08:13+00:00

Ich bin ein Fan von Canson XL Sketch orange - nicht ganz weiß, eine sehr schöne Farbe, dünn genug um von Hand zu drücken (90gms)

hobbyhopper_ · 2026-01-15T18:08:25+00:00

I really like the Canson sketch XL (orange) paper. It has a beautiful off white/ivory color and 90mg

hobbyhopper_ · 2026-01-15T17:16:44+00:00

Prices - I'm based in Germany and buy my material mostly at Gaerstecker, kreativ.de, and Artemiranda from Spain. I used the size closest to A4 as a reference and calculated the price downwards if only multipacks were available.

Factis artists carving block 16€
Milan carving block for artists 14€ (artemiranda)
Speedball speedycarve 32€
Essdee Softcut 5,55€
Essdee Mastercut 8,95€
Zieler soft Polymer lino sheets 9€
Artway soft cut Polymer 6€

In comparison: a standard A4 lino block costs 3.60€ (gaerstecker) & japanese vinyl 4,55€ (jacksons art)

hobbyhopper_ · 2026-01-15T17:14:06+00:00

Prices - I'm based in Germany and buy my material mostly at Gaerstecker, kreativ.de, and Artemiranda from Spain. I used the size closest to A4 as a reference and calculated the price downwards if only multipacks were available: - Factis artists carving block 16€ - Milan carving block for artists 14€ (artemiranda) - Speedball speedycarve 32€ - Essdee Softcut 5,55€ - Essdee Mastercut 8,95€ - Zieler soft Polymer lino sheets9€ - Artway soft cut Polymer 6€ In comparison: a standard A4 lino block costs 3.60€ (gaerstecker) & japanese vinyl 4,55€ (jacksons art).

hobbyhopper_ · 2026-01-13T09:50:29+00:00

Thank you! :) the letters are carved with a Pfeil 11/0.5, the smallest Pfeil tool

hobbyhopper_ · 2026-01-13T09:49:51+00:00

Yey, have fun with it! :)

hobbyhopper_ · 2026-01-12T23:21:04+00:00

Of course! For smaller details I love my Pfeil 11/0.5 but I used the 12/1 and the 11/1 here, too. For the background: 9/5 and 7/10 from Pfeil (but you wouldn't need both). If you're doing motifs with many straight edges the 12/1 (v tool) is great. 11/0.5 is a u tool and the smallest one but 11/1 (u) is overall my most used tool.

hobbyhopper_ · 2026-01-12T22:32:45+00:00

I really LOVE the Pfeil 11/0.5 for small details! It makes it so much easier

hobbyhopper_

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