How to Carve a Rubber Stamp
Imaginative Crafts, Do-It-Yourself Projects and Video Tutorials by Robert Mahar, robert-mahar.com
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Materials:
Carving block
Carving tool with V-shaped and U-shaped nibs
White copy paper
Pencil
Wood block
Ink pads
Blank cards and envelopes

Directions:
1) Print desired text or image and trace with pencil. Place face down on carving block and burnish back to transfer image.

2) Slowly carve around image with fine point V-shaped carving tool. Rather than carve deep gouges, make multiple shallow passes. Remember that carving tools are very sharp, always carve away from your body and hands. Use a folded paper towel when changing the carving nibs to protect your fingers.

3) Remove larger ‘negative space’ around image with wider point U-shaped carving tool. Carve approximately ¼” x to ½” around your image and then cut away the excess using scissors or a craft knife.

4) Temporarily adhere carved stamp to a wood block with double stick tape.

5) Ink carved stamp and press onto paper cards & envelopes, creating stationery.

Helpful Tips:
We used the Speedball Speedy Carve Stamp Making Kit which includes both the carving block and the carving tool with both V and U-shaped nibs.