I get asked a lot about the supplies I use, so I decided to put up this page to help everyone find the answers a little easier. This is what I use, I'm sure there are other products that printmakers use with success, but here are the products that I rely on in my day-to-day work! 

I have added easy to use Amazon links to products available on Amazon. If you found this helpful please use these links to make your purchase. It's an easy way for you to support me, it won't cost you anymore and I get a little bit for helping you find it! 

​Thank you! 

WHAT KIND OF WOOD DO YOU CARVE?

I've recently switched to birch because I can get a little more detail out of it when compared to MDF. MDF is still a great carving surface - I was just ready for a change!

Birch is great, it is actual wood so it has a grain which affects your design. It's just something extra to think about. When you carve with the grain the wood peels away, when you carve against the grain the wood chips away. Both are lovely, but very different. Can be sourced at your local lumber yard. 

MDF is relatively cheap and easy to carve. It is an engineered wood product, so it has no grain to fight. It is commonly found in home improvement stores and lumber yards. When used with power tools be sure to wear a dust mask. 

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What kind of ink do you use?

I use oil-based inks exclusively. My favorite brand is Gamblin.

What tools do you use to carve? 

I personally use Power Grips carving tools. They fit comfortably in my hands, and recommend them to anyone looking for some solid tools! 

​What Kind of Press do you have?

I have two presses 

Conrad E15 Press: It's awesome. I've had it since 2011 and its perfect. Small lightweight and can take a beating. 

www.conradmachine.com/

​Takach 1836: It's beautiful. Precise, pulls perfect prints and is a major investment. 

https://takachpress.com/

What kind of paint do you use? 

I use a lot of different paint for a lot of different projects. But some of my favorite paints are the Golden Fluid Acrylics. You can find those here: ​

How do you sharpen your tools? 

I use a couple different products depending on how much love and attention they need. I'll post them in the order of most attention to least attention. 

1. Flexcut Slipstrop - For use while carving to keep your tools sharp as you work. 

2. Sharpening Stone - For use between carvings when your tools need a little love. 

3. Work Sharp: The wood tool sharpener. - For use every now and then when your tools need a LOT of love. 

You can check out my how to sharpen your tools video on YouTube: ​https://youtu.be/EKzJgfC0nyU

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What do you use to seal your blocks? 

Sometimes I seal my blocks before I carve them. Sometimes I seal the blocks after I carve them. But I always use Bullseye Shellac. 

Sometimes I use Linoleum.

Linoleum is great. It holds detail perfectly. I tend to use it for smaller scale projects, or for prints that I want to look a little more controlled than a MDF block can provide. I prefer the mounted blocks for press use, but they are a little more expensive. I'm including links to both mounted and unmounted linoleum. 

Linoleum is also great for beginners. You can buy a relatively cheap set of tools to see if you like the process before investing in some big boy carving tools! The speedball carving sets are great for starting out. They can do a lot for the $$$$. 

What do you use to clean up? 

I use oil based inks exclusively, so I need to use mineral spirits to clean up. Vegetable oil and degreaser can work too if you don't want to use mineral spirits. But Gamblin makes a great studio safe product. Be sure to grab some gloves too just to be safe. Although Gamsol is advertised not to be absorbed through healthy skin, I always wear gloves during clean-up.