FREQUENtly Asked Questions
What kind of wood do you use?
I mainly carve MDF; medium density fiberboard; although there are many different suitable surfaces to use for relief printing, and I use different surfaces for different projects depending on the needs of the project. Linoleum, baltic birch, maple and shina just to name a few.
What kind of ink do you use for T-shirts?
I use oil based etching ink's for all of my T-shirts. I am organizing a stain onto a T-shirt.
why do you paint your blocks if it is only going to print black?
The blocks that I paint, I never print. From start to finish they are always intended as a one of a kind work of art. I shape the wood, carve the wood, paint the carving, and then put one last glorious layer of ink on the surface to bring it all together! Equipped with a hanger on the back, it can adorn your walls for years to come!
Why woodcut? isn't screen printing easier?
Woodcut is awesome! It's a simple answer but true. The marks that I can achieve with my carving tools are difficult to impossible to replicate. I love the quality of relief prints, and the challenge of thinking through the limitations of the medium to get to the final product. Screen printing might make more sense sometimes, but I just love the process of relief-printing and wouldn't substitute it for anything!
What kind of paint do you use for you painted carvings?
Cheap acrylic paints, and whatever brand has the best colors. It's not the quality or brand name of the materials you use, it's how you use it.
what is the name of that machine?
That's my handy dandy press! A Conrad E-15 etching press to be more exact!
do you do commissions?
Yes! Go ahead and click "Commissions" over there on the sidebar to the left for more information.
What tools do you use to carve?
I use simple hand-carving tools. The V-gouge is my favorite shape, and I use it for 90% of all the marks I make.
Do you use a dremel?
No. I know a lot of relief carvers use a dremel. I am not a huge fan of the results.
Can you carve my logo?
No, if you want I can do a TAKE on your logo, but as a general rule I don't replicate anyone's work. I am fortunate enough to be able to focus on creating my own work, and simply do not have the time or desire to work in this manner. Plus there are many cheaper and quicker ways to duplicate your logo and branding.
Can you design a t-shirt or logo for me?
Yes! If you like my work and my style I am more than happy to work on a freelance piece for you. My work is very consistent, so if you are looking for something drastically different that what you see on my website and portfolio, I may not be able to help you. But if you love what you see and want to incorporate a Noosh! design into your brand, we can work together! My freelance rate is currently $50/hour for design work. Additional fees may be required depending on the project. Please contact me for further information. Be as detailed as possible so I can answer to the best of my ability.
Can you carve me a block so I can print my own T-shirts?
Unfortunately I do not sell my blocks for other people to print. I can do design work for you, but I will not send you the carved bock for your use.
How long does it take you to do a carving?
It really depends. Each carving is different, how large is the carving, how much detail, is there a lot of black or white area? The short answer is smaller carvings take me 30 minutes to an hour. T-shirt blocks take me 2-5 hours on average. Skate decks take me 8-15 hours. Every project is different. I've been carving since 2008-ish. I've put in a lot of time. I didn't start out this quick.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes! Most everything on my online store ships pretty much anywhere in the world! Shipping costs are calculated at checkout. Click the link in the sidebar to shop! Or click here!