Evening star., 1949-01-23
Readers Clearing House
BLOCK PRINTING.

from Mrs. P. M. B., Viennd.)
Like Mrs. c. w. H., of Arlington,
I am interested in learning more
about block printing and am eager
" looking forward to other replies to
her request. However, am glad to
pass alopg the information found
on the subject in newspaper I re-
Gently received from another city.
1t read:
Try block printing your Christmas
cards this year for both fun and in
dividuality.
You will need an assortment Of
linoleum cutters, block or two OF
linoleum, a tube of colored ink, a
rubber roller, colored or white con-
struction paper and matching en-
velopes.
It does not take an artist to make
a linoleum block, for any simple
design traced from a magazine will
often make the most effective card.
After tracing the design on onion
skin paper, place piece of carbon
paper face down on the linoleum
block. Then retrace the design with
q sharp pointed pencil onto the
block. Use one of your narrow
bladed linoleum cutters to outline
the design, making clear-cut deep
lines.
Then select a wider tool from your
box of cutters and dig or scoop out
the background in and around the
design. Since the block is printed
backward, all words must be let
tered correspondingly
For example, the word GREET
INGS should be printed with the
word reversed, and the letters them
selves reversed, looking the way the
word would look If held to a mirror.
After the block is cut, use an old
toothbrush to remove excess scraps
from the block and then wipe 1t
clean with a rag which has been
dipped in solvent.
You and the family are now ready
to print the cards. A thick piece OF
glass or smooth Enoleum block OF
good size is used as palette to
tube the ink onto. The print. RUBBER
roller is then pushed back and forth
on the linked palette until there is
a. sickness between the roller and
the paint.
when the roller is we'll linked run
It over the surface of the cut limo
leum block two or three times, max
ing sure that each raised portion Is
thoroughly linked. A little practice
In printing your block will soon
show lust how much ink you desire
for an effect.
Turn the block face down on
piece of paper, and then turn the
block quickly with the paper side
up, being careful not to move the
paper which adheres to the paint on
the block.
Use rolling pin and light pres
sure to roll the paper once or twice
on the block. Remove the paper
and set 1t aside to dry.
Christmas cards can be mounted
on pieces of contrasting paper. A
folder type of card can be made sin
gle or double fold requiring no en-
velope. A Christmas sticker will
hold the sides together after it
has been printed, addressed and
stamped.
Block printed cards may also be
Illuminated with gold, silver or cop
per paints, or may be filled in with
colored paster paint. using brush.
Christmas card supplies will cost
about as follows: One box OF limo
leum cutters, rs cents: one linoleum
block, 3x4 inches, 80 cents; one
roller, s110; one tube of ink, 80
cents; one piece of heavy glass, 20
cents. The total is $2.65.
Construction paper and envelopes
are not included in the above price.
y
CHRISTMAS CARDS:
ROLLAWAY BED?
from Mrs. E. L. H., Alerdndrid.)
Would suggest to Mrs. c. w. H. of
eh iyouoctiuote tho