My Stamp Carving & Linocut Essentials
If you've been watching me carve my way through stamps and linocuts and wondering where to even begin, I've got you. I've tested many tools over the years, and I'm sharing exactly what I use and recommend — whether you're just starting out or ready to level up your setup.
The Starter Kit
You don't need much to get started, and that's one of the things I love about this craft. Here's what I'd put in a beginner's kit:
A Speedball gauge with 5 blades is the standard starting point for a reason — the interchangeable blades let you experiment with different line weights and cuts without buying a whole set of handles. Pair that with a 24-pack of 2" square rubber blocks, which are perfect for small stamps and low-commitment carving practice. A 15-pack of stamp pads gives you enough color variety to start playing right away, and a rubber brayer is essential for rolling ink evenly if you start exploring simple block printing.
If you want everything in one shot, there's a solid all-in-one linocut starter kit for around $25 that covers the basics — great for gifting or just taking the guesswork out of it.
Starter Kit Checklist:
☐ Speedball gauge with 5 blades
☐ 24-pack of 2" square rubber blocks
☐ All-in-one starter kit ($25)
Next Level Tools
Once carving becomes a real practice (and it will), here's where I'd invest:
Swap your starter gauge for a 5-pack of Japanese-style power tool gauges — the precision is immediately noticeable, especially for detailed work. Upgrade your block size to a 24-pack of 4x6 rubber blocks so you have room for larger, more complex compositions. A dedicated Speedball ink gives you richer, more consistent color than standard stamp pads, and a lino ink tray keeps your workspace cleaner and your ink usable longer.v
A block printing press is a game-changer if you're doing any kind of edition printing — even pressure, every time. A slip strop blade sharpener will extend the life of your gouges significantly (dull blades are actually more dangerous and way more frustrating). Keep everything organized in a metal toolbox, which also makes your setup feel intentional and portable. And tracing paper is one of those underrated must-haves for transferring designs cleanly onto your blocks.
Next Level Checklist:
☐ 5-pack Japanese power tool gauges
Whether you're carving your first stamp or printing a full edition, the tools really do matter. Start simple, build intentionally, and enjoy the process.