Printmaking is such a creative art form—it lets you make beautiful images on paper with carved blocks, plates, or screens. You don’t need a fancy studio to get into it, either. These days, printmaking kits bring the tradition right into your home, giving you the tools to dive right in.
Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been making art for years, printmaking kits are an easy way to try linocut, woodblock, or screen printing. Most kits come with carving tools, printing blocks, ink, brayers (rollers), and paper—basically everything you need to start making your own art.
When you’re picking out a kit, check out the quality of the tools, any safety features, and what’s actually included. Sharp, sturdy carving tools really make a difference. If you’re new, look for finger guards or comfy handles. The type of block matters too—softer linoleum is easier for beginners, while wood blocks let you get into finer details if you’re more advanced. Your choice will shape what you can make and how easy it’ll feel.
Best Printmaking Kits
Printmaking lets you create beautiful art at home without needing complicated gear. These kits give you what you need to jump right in. Whether you’re new to this or have a little experience, the right kit can help you get creative and learn along the way.
Speedball Deluxe Printmaking Kit
This kit packs in everything you need to start printmaking, and the quality of the tools is honestly impressive.
Pros
- Complete set with premium cutters, blocks, and multiple ink colors
- Includes a detailed instruction booklet for beginners
- Durable tools that hold up over time
Cons
- Not a ton of paper included
- Only one brayer size, which isn’t ideal for big projects
- Water-based inks dry out pretty fast
Ever wanted to try block printing but felt lost on where to begin? The Speedball Deluxe Block Printing Kit takes out all the confusion. You get a mounted linoleum block and a Speedy-Carve block, plus a solid lineup of cutters with comfy handles.
What’s nice here is the attention to little things. The lino handle stores your cutters inside, so you won’t lose them, and the tempered steel cutters have sharp, precise edges. With the soft rubber brayer and four colors of water-soluble inks, your first prints will look way more polished than you’d expect.
The bench hook does double duty as a work surface and inking plate, keeping your area neat. It’s great for making custom greeting cards, art prints, or even fabric patterns. The trilingual instructions walk you through the basics and then some. Whether you’re just beginning or getting back into printmaking, this American-made kit gives you pro results without the hassle of buying everything separately.
ESSDEE Lino Cutting & Printing Kit
This all-in-one kit is a fantastic pick for both beginners and more experienced artists, thanks to the variety of tools and materials.
Pros
- 22-piece set with everything you need to get started
- Comes with both traditional lino and easier Soft cut blocks
- Safety features make it good for kids (10+ with supervision)
Cons
- Brayer sometimes rolls ink unevenly
- Some cutters don’t stay sharp with heavy use
- Packaging can get banged up during shipping
The ESSDEE kit opens up a whole world of printmaking right at your table. Six different lino cutters let you experiment with all kinds of textures and styles. You get both traditional and Soft cut blocks, so you can pick what fits your project or skill level.
Safety-wise, this kit really delivers. There’s a hand guard and a safety cutter, so even younger artists (with an adult nearby) can join in. The smart 3-in-1 Barren helps transfer ink and keeps your tools organized.
Cleanup is a breeze with the water-based ink, and the ink tray helps contain any mess. For the price, you get nearly everything to start making custom prints, cards, and stamps—just add paper and your own ideas!
Speedball Starter Printmaking Kit
The Speedball Super Value Block Printing Starter Kit gives beginners all the basics for making prints without spending a ton.
Pros
- All-in-one beginner set with the essentials
- Speedy-Carve block is easier to cut than linoleum
- Ink washes up easily with water
Cons
- Small 4×6 inch block limits the size of your projects
- Only three cutting tips included
- Block might be too soft for super detailed work
If you’re curious about printmaking but don’t know where to start, this Speedball kit makes it easy. You get a carving block, cutting tools, a brayer, and black water-soluble ink—enough to make your first prints right away.
The tool handle stores your cutting tips inside, which is handy, especially if you’re working with kids or in a classroom and don’t want to lose sharp tools.
What can you make? Tons of stuff—custom greeting cards, personalized stationery, or even wrapping paper. The Speedy-Carve block is much easier on your hands than regular linoleum, so it’s great for your first projects. The block size is small, but it’s perfect for practice before you move on to bigger things.
The Printmaking Bible
This hefty guidebook is a must if you want to dive deep into printmaking, whether you’re a total newbie or already have some experience.
Pros
- Covers a ton of printmaking techniques
- Packed with step-by-step instructions and troubleshooting tips
- Includes artist interviews for real insight
Cons
- Some techniques could use more detail
- Might feel overwhelming if you’re totally new
- Not exactly portable—it’s a big, heavy book
If you’re curious about different printmaking methods, this 416-page book has you covered. It walks you through materials, tools, and techniques for everything from relief to intaglio, lithography, and screen printing. The instructions are clear and help make tricky processes feel more manageable.
Artist interviews pop up throughout, showing you how the pros do it and offering a little inspiration. Gorgeous color examples will get your creative juices flowing, and the troubleshooting sections help you fix common problems before they get frustrating.
Chronicle Books published it, and it’s great for teens, college students, or adults. The 9.5 x 10.75-inch pages give you lots of space for detailed illustrations, though it does make the book a bit hefty—almost 4 pounds. But if you’re teaching, learning, or just want a solid reference, you’ll find yourself coming back to this one again and again.
Pixiss Rubber Stamp Making Kit
This stamp carving kit is a fantastic choice for beginners who want to try printmaking without spending a lot.
Pros
- Comes with 12 easy-to-carve rubber blocks—way softer than linoleum
- Includes a cutter tool and 6 blade types for different carving styles
- Great value for the price
Cons
- Cutter handle could be sturdier
- Not the best for fine detail work with the included blades
- Some folks have received kits with missing parts
Thinking about making your own custom stamps? The Pixiss kit gives you the basics to get started. You get 12 pink rubber blocks (4×6 inches, 1/4 inch thick), so there’s plenty of room for practice.
The rubber carves super smoothly—honestly, it’s much easier than linoleum—so you can focus on your designs instead of fighting the material. The cutter tool comes with six blades for different lines and textures.
For less than $20, you’re set up with a complete starter kit. Sure, the handle isn’t top-of-the-line, but it works fine for learning. Some people upgrade their tools later, but this kit is a solid way to see if printmaking is your thing.
Famous Places Engraving Art Book
Royal & Langnickel’s engraving kit hits that sweet spot between art and learning, letting you make shiny, eye-catching artwork even if you’ve never picked up a pencil.
Pros
- Comes with 12 preprinted designs and 12 blank sheets
- Fun facts about famous places on every page
- Spiral-bound and easy to toss in your bag
Cons
- The tool takes a little getting used to
- Only includes famous places (so, no animals or fantasy scenes)
- A few pages are trickier than others
Ever felt like trying a creative hobby but worried you’d need serious art skills? Honestly, you don’t need any with this booklet. Just grab the included tool and scratch away at the top layer—suddenly, bold metallic colors pop through and your design comes to life.
Each page highlights a famous place from around the globe, and you’ll pick up a few interesting tidbits as you go. The spiral binding keeps everything neat, and you can bring it along for a road trip or just stash it in your backpack.
It’s a solid pick for both kids and adults. No paint, no mess, no brushes—just a scraping tool, 12 cool designs, and 12 blank sheets for your own ideas. If you’re looking for a chill, satisfying hobby that doesn’t demand “talent,” you might just find yourself hooked.
Oopsu Printmaking Starter Kit
Oopsu’s printmaking kit really gives beginners a head start, packing in all the basics for a pretty reasonable price.
Pros
- Has blocks, tools, and a brayer—no extra shopping needed
- The soft rubber blocks are easy for newbies to carve
- Good bang for your buck
Cons
- Some tools aren’t super sharp
- Brayer feels a bit basic
- Block sizes are on the smaller side
Ever thought about printmaking but didn’t want to drop a bunch of cash? Oopsu’s kit includes four rubber carving blocks, carving tools, and a 4-inch brayer roller—pretty much everything to get you stamping.
The soft rubber makes carving way less intimidating than old-school linoleum. You’ll find the tools handle the material without much fuss, so it’s not a struggle to get crisp lines for cards or wrapping paper.
What’s nice here is you don’t have to hunt down extra pieces. The brayer rolls ink on smoothly enough for hobby projects. Sure, the tools aren’t pro-level sharp, but for beginners or anyone just dabbling, they’re totally fine.
Kids, teens, and adults can all have a go—great for school assignments or just weekend crafting. The blocks are best for smaller designs, so think stamps, bookplates, or scrapbook accents.
SunPrint Solar Paper Kit
The SunPrint Solar Paper Kit lets you make vivid blue-and-white prints using nothing but sunlight, water, and whatever objects you dream up.
Pros
- Super simple to use—just follow the instructions
- Results in bold Prussian blue prints with sharp contrast
- Works for art and science projects alike
Cons
- Not a ton of sheets in the pack
- You’ll need a sunny day for the best outcome
- Gotta develop images quickly after exposing
If you want an activity that feels a bit like magic and a bit like science, this kit is a winner. Just lay out your objects on the special paper, set it in the sun, rinse it off, and voilà—your design appears in crisp blue and white.
You can use leaves, flowers, keys, lace, or really anything that casts a shadow. With 15 sheets of 8″x12″ paper, you get plenty of chances to experiment. The acrylic overlay keeps everything in place while you’re working.
Watching the images develop never gets old, honestly. Developed by educators at the Lawrence Hall of Science at UC Berkeley, the kit sneaks in some learning about photography and light while you play. Each print turns a striking Prussian blue with bright white shapes—great for summer days, classrooms, or just trying something different without a lot of gear.
Pixiss Printmaking Starter Kit
Pixiss offers a solid starter kit for folks curious about stamp making, with a nice mix of tools and materials all in one box.
Pros
- Has carving blocks, tools, and 15 ink pads
- Soft rubber blocks are easy for beginners
- Loads of creative potential
Cons
- Carving tools aren’t super sharp for fine details
- No instructions in the kit
- Might outgrow it if you get serious
Thinking about making your own stamps? Pixiss gives you three pink rubber blocks, a precision knife with six blades, a linocut cutter, and 15 colorful ink pads—pretty much everything you need to get started.
The soft blocks are a relief if you’re new to carving. They’re easier on your hands and more forgiving when you make mistakes. Kids and adults can both use them, though you’ll want to keep an eye on little ones with the sharp tools.
Custom stamps can jazz up greeting cards, scrapbook pages, gift tags, or home decor. With 15 ink pads, you won’t run out of color choices. While the tools might not cut super fine details, for a beginner, this kit’s a great way to test the waters without spending a lot.
WAYCOM Printmaking Starter Kit
WAYCOM’s 18-piece stamp making kit brings you everything you need to dive right into printmaking.
Pros
- Comes with carving tools, rubber blocks, and 8 color ink pads
- Soft rubber blocks are easier than classic linoleum
- Multiple blade options let you try different carving styles
Cons
- Blocks are a bit small at 4×6 inches
- Cutting tool assembly can be confusing at first
- Some folks say the cutter isn’t as smooth as pro tools
If you’ve been itching to try stamp making, this kit gets you started fast. You’ll find a linoleum cutter with six blades, four pink rubber blocks, eight colorful ink pads, a hobby knife, and even a pencil for sketching.
The softer rubber blocks make carving less of a chore—way easier than stiff linoleum. Each block is 4×6 inches and a quarter-inch thick, so there’s enough space for most designs.
The eight ink pads give you plenty of color, and the non-toxic ink washes right off with soap and water. The different blades let you play with various carving techniques—whether you’re making cards, decorating stationery, or whipping up gifts for friends.
At this price, it’s a good deal for anyone who wants to see if printmaking is their thing. Advanced artists might eventually want fancier tools, but this kit has everything you need to jump in and start creating.
Buying Guide
Picking out a printmaking kit can feel a little overwhelming, but it’s all about finding what fits you best. Let’s break down what actually matters here.
Experience Level
How much experience do you have? If you’re brand new, you’ll probably want something simple and straightforward. If you’ve been at this for a while, you might look for more advanced tools.
Types of Printmaking
- Linocut/block printing
- Screen printing
- Etching
- Mono printing
Which one catches your eye? Each style uses its own set of tools and materials, so it’s worth figuring out what excites you most.
Kit Contents
Check what’s in the box—does it come with the basics for your chosen technique? Honestly, I’d go for quality tools over a bunch of extras you might never use.
Material Quality
Good carving blocks and inks make a huge difference. If you use better materials, your prints turn out nicer, and your tools last longer. Seems obvious, but it’s easy to overlook.
Workspace Considerations
How much room do you actually have to work? Some methods sprawl out and take over your table, while others stay pretty compact.
Budget
Prices are all over the place. Sure, you can spend less, but sometimes paying a bit more upfront saves you headaches later. Think of it as investing in your own creativity.
Safety Features
Are there safety guards on the cutting tools? Any kid-friendly options? Your fingers will definitely appreciate a little extra protection!
The right printmaking kit can really open up new creative possibilities. Take your time, weigh what matters to you, and you’ll find something that fits your style.
