Printer's block?

[SilverSnow]

I have a small collection of printer's blocks (just because). These were originally used on the printing press as illustrations. They're heavy wooden blocks with a thin layer of metal. The metal layer has the image inscribed on it in reverse - just like a rubber stamp, only the inscribing isn't as deep as the carved out part of a rubber stamp.

I would like to use these printer's blocks in my stamping. The last one I got is a really pretty floral thing. I tried using it just like a rubber stamp but the image didn't transfer very well. I used alcohol ink the first time. I'm going to experiment some more but has anyone ever tried using these? If so, can you share some tips?

[Angelnorth]

I have a couple my DH picked up for me on a flea market stall.

I've had sucess using them in my BigShot so you might try that if you have a manual die cutter - you'll probably need to do a bit of experimenting to get the right thickness of plates/shims but it works beautifully to push the metal imprint into the paper and get a good impression where the lines are very slightly debossed. I used pigment ink (it would have been Brilliance or Versafine since those are my go-tos - it's long enough ago that I don't remember which, sorry) and thick paper.

I used a cutting plate, then some scratch paper, then the thick paper (the scratch paper was just so there'd be just a little bit of "cush" under the printing surface but not much), then the inked block face down on the paper and enough scrap cardstock to make the sandwich thick enough with the final plate on top. Roll it through the machine and you should be good to go!

I guess the die cutter is effectively doing the same job as the original printing press would have done - it applies pressure all over the block and pushes it into the paper more than you could do with your hands.

HTH!