Transfer Images for Eraser Carving

One of the key benefits of making your own custom stamps is that it means you can create your own unique designs. While it is possible to carve 'free form' images into an eraser or rubber block, or draw directly onto the surface, many people prefer to draw a design onto paper first. This allows your design to be tweaked until it is perfect. Once you have the design on paper, a couple of simple steps are all that is required to transfer the image onto the eraser or rubber block for carving. This is one of the most simple ways of transferring hand drawn designs onto an eraser or carving block.

Drawing an Image

When you are carving your first stamps, bold and simple shapes are the easiest to work with. Inspiration can come from anywhere! Leaves and flowers, letters or numbers, basic figures or animals or doodles are all good for carving. Draw a shape that will fit comfortably onto the eraser. Make sure you use a graphite pencil.

Tracing an Image

If you are not confident about your own drawing abilities, then tracing an image is a good option. Copyright free clipart is a great source of inspiration and all types of designs and shapes are available. To trace an image, place a piece of very thin paper such as tracing paper or kitchen greaseproof paper on top of the design. Use a pencil to draw around the outline of the design.

Resizing an Image

If the image that you have drawn or traced is the wrong size for the eraser, then it is possible to resize the image using a photocopier. Simply set the photocopier to copy at the required percentage - either larger or smaller. You will then need to trace this design so that you have a pencil outline.

See the next page for information about transferring your own design onto the eraser for carving.