Block Print for Beginners

A vibrant and wonderful instructional book for block printing! This book gives a straightforward, but detailed overview from needed materials, methods, and a variety of projects. I was interested in this book because I had fond memories of learning this in high school art class. Block printing is incredibly easy to learn and makes such stunning prints! Gorgeous, colorful, step-by-step pictures accompany all of the projects. Some of the projects include: basic block print, multiplate block print, mosaic-effect, and interlocking block print, etc. This is a perfect place to start if you're looking to start block printing!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC.

Brilliant book, I used to do block printing a long time ago and this has got me interested in it again. So many tips and ways to do it safely – which I had forgotten. I can’t wait to have a go again – this book has inspired me for idea’s too.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

#InspiredArtistBlockPrintforBeginners #NetGalley

During the pandemic, I find myself with too much time on my hands and not enough motivation at times, but I'm trying to learn other craft skills and came across this book. As soon as I opened it, something clicked. Within the first few chapters I was looking up block printing starter kits. The book is so simply laid out, with just the right level of information to not scare off a beginner. I'm not a compulsive buyer, but something about block printing is just super exciting to me -- maybe because it involves carving tools. Or learning something new. Or just a great book. Whatever the reason, I'm excited for my order to come in and get started with help from Elise Young.

Arc provided via Netgalley for review.~ I really enjoyed reading this! It is nicely arranged and there are some beautiful projects. I will have to try printing with registration again— it was never fun for me in printmaking class and I always avoided it when possible. This method looks doable...

This book would be a handy book for a beginner printmaker. I would also recommend if you’ve never done linoleum printing before that you hunt down a video tutorial so you can see and hear what the right amount of ink sounds like on a brayer. :-)

Also, the author didn’t really go into cleaning tools, so be sure to look up info about that as well, especially safety if using traditional oil based printmaking ink. I believe it is just as important to know how to clean up a project as it is to start one!

Oh: and always store your brayer so that the roller is not laying on the table.~ if the roller is in contact with the table for a long time it may warp the soft material!

Other than these nit pickings this is a fine art tutorial book.

I first leant about lino printing many years ago while still at school. Since then I have used it for making cards but only very simple designs. This book has been great for not only refreshing my memory but for also expanding my limited knowledge.

The book is laid out very well and in a logical way. I was able to work through the principles and basic and then gradually move on to slightly more detailed patterns and designs. I found the test and images to be beneficial and they complimented each other well.

This is a book that is aimed at a beginner or someone, like me who has a very basic knowledge of lino printing. It is a very good starting point as it gives a lot of useful and practical information as well as ideas for designs and small projects.

An excellent well laid out book and one I would definitely recommend.

This is a really lovely book and would make a great gift to someone interested in block printing. Elise's work is very pretty, the explanations are very clear and accessible to a beginner. It has given me confidence that I can do my own block printing.
The only thing I'd have liked more of is tips on the types of pictures that do well on block print etc.

Block Print for Beginners is a tutorial and instruction guide for block printing written and presented by Elise Young. Due out 16th March 2021 from Quarto on their Walter Foster imprint, it's 144 pages and will be available in paperback format.

It's nice to see arts/crafts tutorial instruction books aimed at other things than drawing and painting. This one is well written and accessible and perfectly suited for beginners with no previous experience. The introductory sections cover a bit of background and a very thorough tutorial on tools and supplies including selection, maintenance, technique, and safety. The book is beautifully photographed throughout in color.

The following chapters contain tutorials which build up progressively from simple to more advanced techniques and projects. The last chapter contains some project tutorials: bookplate, card, wrapping paper, tea towel, and wallpaper. All of the designs are beautiful and inspiring (and can obviously be changed around to suit the artist). Each tutorial includes tools and supplies in a bullet list along with both written and photographic tutorial instructions. Templates are linked from the instructions, not included in the physical book. Important alternatives and creative ideas are provided in highlighted text boxes in the tutorials.

The author and publishers have also included some useful appendices including a glossary and bibliography/resource links lists which are refreshingly international in scope. This is a well made book which would make a superlative choice for group artists' studio, makers' groups, school or public library acquisition, activity groups, and the artist's home studio.

Five stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes

Nice intro to Lino cutting! I liked the project ideas and the instructions were super clear.
Would recommend

This book is great for anyone looking to get into lino printing. Lots of different techniques, clearly explained instructions with photographs illustrating every step of the way. This book packs a lot into it and the variety of projects will allow anyone to master the art of the lino-print but also provide inspiration for anyone who has previously dabbled with this medium. Great book. Would highly recommend!

Elise Young presents a thorough, beautiful, and engaging tutorial style book for people interested in block printing. This art form has been given quite a bit of attention recently with it featured on popular TV shows and the rise of social media artists. Anyone who loves the graphic look of block printing but does not know where to start, this is the perfect book for them. Young takes the readers step by step through the process of researching, designing, and bringing an idea to fruition. Another key aspect of this title is the varied methods presented on how to do block printing. Truly a must add to any crafting collection!

Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this book in return for an honest review.

This book on Block Printing just makes me want to buy all of the supplies and make as many blocks as I can. This has really helped inspire me and the photos that are used to guide are nice as it made it all easier for me to follow.

Rating: 5⭐
Would I Read It Again? Yes
Would I Recommend it? Yes

I have done printmaking for many years now and found this book to be excellent. It covers a lot of aspects of printmaking for beginners, and I felt that it actually covers some areas that were advanced. There are lot of photos and good explanation. The designs are modern and I would certainly recommend this book to anyone who wants to start block printing.

Very cute! Although I've done some experimenting with block printing a couple of years ago, I definitely haven't invested a ton of time in the art form yet. The beautiful artworks in this book is definitely making me want to get carving again, and the tutorials go through projects of many different kinds (including even wallpapers and tea towels). I thought that this would be a great book for anyone interested in trying out a new art form or craft!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC.

If you want to learn about making beautiful and gorgeous block prints, this is the book for you. The author shows a step by step with pictures on how to make block prints. It even shows you how to use more than one color and how to make your own block in any variety that you would like. The illustrations are very helpful and make you feel like you are at a friends house, working on a project together. I really liked how if went step by step and showed you what it would look like while making it and through till the end.

An approachable volume for anyone interested in trying block printing. Printmaker Elise Young demonstrates various techniques for carving your own blocks, applying color, and more. Many beautiful projects to try, with step-by-step instructions and gorgeous photography.

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review
If you've ever wondered about making your own stamps or blocks, want to put color on fabric or paper, or just want to explore a new craft, you'll enjoy this beginner manual. Young makes it simple with clear instructions, options to customize your work, and drawings.

Have fun! This is definitely one for my artsy friends to try.

Learn to create unique, contemporary works of art with traditional carving tools and printmaking techniques. Step-by-step projects and creative lino prints make it fun and easy.


I have a little sister whose incredibly artistic and right now her favourite form of art is linocut, and she inspired me to learn so much more about this technique so when I saw this book appear for review I took my chance to learn more and I am so glad I did, we have been now using these new techniques together.

Young has a really great way of showing and highlighting throughout this book what you need to do in a really simple and refined way that makes everything so much easier to do. We thought we’d make a mess with things such as the puzzle piece printing block but we followed the guide and nailed it, and really refined how we did the simpler things.

The book is also beautiful with examples of cuts in the book being stuff I wish I could do right now and clean and crisp displays of everything you need to know about this artform - it was such an easy guide and highly recommend it if you’re a beginner or someone who knows the basics and wants to build on their skills.

A superb book for a beginner, I highly recommend it.

Written by Elise Young, a Toronto-based artist and creator of Bloomingprint Studio, Block Print For Beginners is a brilliant new guide to printmaking techniques. Starting with the basics of tools/materials and sharing tips on how to find inspiration before moving onto different techniques and project ideas to try, the book is informative and flows really well. There are lots of pictures of finished prints/designs throughout, as well as step by step images and links to download templates which makes it really easy to follow along with the projects.

One of my favourite techniques showcased in the book is the Multicolor Interlocking Block Print. The design idea shown features a cute stack of four tea cups printed in shades of blue, perfectly demonstrating this technique where cutting the block into sections allows you to use a range of different colours and reassemble before printing. Another project I loved was the Mosaic-effect Block Print that shows how you can create an outline stamp design which can be filled with origami papers to add beautiful patterns and colours. Whilst I have created stamps similar to this before I’ve never tried adding in papers so this is definitely an idea I’ve added to my own ‘to try’ list! The final project that really stood out to me was Printing Abstract Forms, where simple geometric shapes are carved as individual stamps and can be used to create a variety of designs. I really love these types of patterns and as the shapes are simple this is a great project idea for beginners.

In addition to those focusing on a variety of techniques, there are also further suggested projects including customised tea towels, wallpaper, wrapping paper and cards, showing readers how the possibilities for using their newly created blocks/stamps are endless! The wrapping paper in particular I thought looked really pretty and would be perfect for unique birthday and Christmas gift wrap.

Near the end of the book there is a handy glossary page as well as resource links to help readers expand their knowledge beyond the ‘beginner’ projects included.

The author’s love of printmaking and creating art using these techniques shines through in Block Printing For Beginners and I would recommend it as a great starter guide for those new to the world of block printing. I would also recommend the book to those who, like myself, have some printmaking experience but might just find a few new ideas to try too.

You can find more about the book and see some of Elise’s beautiful prints over on her Instagram page @bloomingprint

Lots of detailed instructions, step-by-step photos, gorgeous projects and everything you need to know to be successful at block printing. Some of the projects like wallpaper and dish towels are really nice, and there's a big variety of styles and projects. There are tons of gorgeous projects for inspiration with very detailed instructions. A great guide.

I read a temporary ARC of this book via Net Galley.

Block Print for Beginners by Elise Young is an exceptional resource for anyone wanting to learn the art of block printing. I was smitten with the author’s approachable style and easy-to-follow instructions from the first pages of this book. Breaking the book into four sections, allows the reader to be introduced to the materials and fundamentals then progress to basic and more advanced techniques with options for artistic exploration rounding out the offering.

The photographs were crisp and clear, even illustrating the correct and incorrect positions of the hand when using certain tools. Each photograph was captioned with a straightforward explanation.

Having absolutely no experience with block printing, this book gave me the confidence and the resources to begin my exploration of block printing. I will definitely look for future books by this author and highly recommend that anyone interested in learning the art of block printing purchase this book immediately. (I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy and all opinions are my own.)