SpeedballSpeedy Carve Block, 6 x 12 in, Pink

Still supple after all of these years!I wrote the below review 10 years ago, and figure there might be some people wondering how long this product will last, especially given how much love and work goes into carving your own stamps. So, just for that reason, I've pulled out my old stamps to see how they are doing.They're doing WONDERFULLY! Even after 10 years, the material is still the same consistency--firm enough to hold its shape very well, yet desirably soft and pliable with no breakdown. The unused product can still be carved just as if it were brand new. The carved stamps from 10 years ago take the ink as if they were brand new.(I've attached 3 new photos showing the stamps after 10 years.About attaching stamps to wood:In my experience (I only create smaller stamps, up to about 3 inches), attaching stamps to wood isn't necessary, but it can make using the stamps easier. Small stamps can be directly attached to wood. Larger stamps can be directly attached to wood, or could benefit from being attached with a simple piece of craft foam cut to shape and glued in between the wood and the stamping material (adding foam could allow "give" that makes the large stamps stamp more evenly.)The stamps that I attached to wood scraps were glued to the wood with Aleene's Craft Glue 10 years ago, and that glue still holds the stamps securely to the wood. (Simply sand the wood blocks with a 150grit-or-so sandpaper, wipe the blocks down with a very lightly moist cloth to remove the dust from the sanding, let dry thoroughly, create a stamp impression on one side, attach the stamp to the wood with Aleene's Craft Glue, let dry thoroughly---then, viola!)End 2025 update.---------------Original review from 2015:I can carve very fine details with great successI use this product all the time to create intricately detailed hand-carved stamps. The material is rigid enough to hold its form, yet flexible enough to allow for even image stamping. I find that the material doesn't crumble while carving, and maintains its shape after it has been carved. I can carve very fine details with great success. Every time I use this product, I find no problems in using it; making stamp carving a very relaxing and enjoyable process. With a 6x12 sheet I can make many many stamps!

I took a rubber stamp carving workshop and got frustrated because the material (one of the knock-offs) crumbled so much. This more expensive product from Speedball is worth it for us beginners--it is very forgiving and makes me a better carver!

This is my go-to for block printing, easy to carve and holds up well, doesn’t crumble or tear up after printing several times.

I did print block carving way back in 6th grade but I was just recently looking to get back into stamp carving for letterboxing. I ordered this product so that I can carve my own personalized stamps.Pros:-- Easy to carve-- Doesn't have a 'chemical' smell-- Pleasant texture to work with-- Appears to be holding up well (I have only had it for a few weeks)Cons:-- The edges of the product are just barely sloped but it is enough to have an impact on the clarity of stamping. I found that I had to cut off about a 1/4 of an inch from each side to achieve a flat plane to work with.Conclusions: I really enjoyed working with this product. I have yet to back my product and expose them to the letterboxing elements but the rubber feels like it is substantial. I would definitely recommend and repurchase in the future.

I was new to linoprint when I bought this but it did well . I made a few stamps . I did not know it was a big eraser but I bought 2 so it performed well . Easy to carve .

This is my go to for block printing! Such a great product!

The smaller size is easy to hold on to. And the block carves easily.

CONTEXTWe wanted to get some shirts and dresses printed for our wedding, but when we got the quote from our local printers, it was insane and not worth it. I had already planned to do block printing on some shirts we purchased and had a little bit of practice, so I figured this would be the perfect time to do it.PROS- Very smooth and easy AF to carve.- This is large! One block of this can make a nice, large print on a dress or shirt.CONS- It is quite flimsy, so you'll have to be careful when actually block printing... especially if you make a large print like I did.OVERALLI love Speedball carving blocks! They are very easy to use, even for first-timers.