Soft Cut Block Printing
Wouldn’t your family and friends be impressed if they all received handmade cards this holiday? When you carve a soft cut block, you are able to print many copies very quickly, better than store bought cards any day!
Unlike linoleum plates, the soft cut is easy on the hands. Different sized blades mean that you can create tight tiny lines for texture or thick lines for weight and depth. We’ll discuss ways to transfer your image, create patterns, types of ink, using a “baren” to evenly press the paper into the ink, and share ideas about how to print sustainably and limit the amount of paint that makes its way into our groundwater.
Participants will be making 4×5 inch plates, suitable for a quarter sheet card. Feel free to bring your own images, however, they need to be printed and carved in reverse so that the images will print properly.
Learn about positive and negative space, relief printing, carving techniques, brayers and ink, and leave with a finished block plate and the knowledge to make more at home!
Date and Time: Sunday, September 20th, 2026 from 1pm - 4pm
Location: Stephanie Hargrave Studio
Address: 306 S Washington St #104, Seattle, WA 98104
Cost: $75 (Includes all materials and taxes)
Instructor: Sara M. Hospador
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Policies
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Please wear clothing that you don’t mind if they get stained. Although we don’t intend for you to leave covered in paint, accidents do sometimes happen!
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All materials for all classes are included in your class price. Some classes have the ability to incorporate your own materials, sketches, and tools. Where applicable, your instructor can help you learn how to use your own tools.
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If you cannot attend class for any reason, we will offer an exchange to another class currently on our schedule or class credit up to 48 hours before the class. After that time, no refunds or exchanges are issued out of respect for our teachers who purchase and prepare supplies based on the number of attendees.
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Doors will open 15 minutes before class begins.
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We’ll be starting the class promptly, but late arrivals happen and we’ll do what we can to catch you up on what you’ve missed.
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Please do not attend if for any reason you suspect you might be sick. Please contact the instructor as soon as reasonably possible. At this time, our classes do not have a masking policy, but do feel free to wear a mask and you will be respected for your choice.
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Children under 16 are welcome only at the approval of the instructor.
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Where possible, we strive to keep art supplies out of the environment. At Craft Cats we use techniques to clean brushes and brayers to keep acrylic paint out of our groundwater.
Where to Find Us
This class is located in the maker’s space at the back of the Stephanie Hargrave Gallery. There’s no better place to make art than surrounded by art and artists in the heart of Seattle’s Pioneer Square!
Stephanie’s gallery is on the 2nd floor (suite 104) of the Tashiro Kaplan Building, home of 25 art galleries, co-ops, art spaces, and 50 artist live/work lofts. This historic building (built in 1906 and remodeled in 2004), has preserved stucco beams and preserved storefronts, along with large bright windows to light up our workspace.
The area around the gallery has free parking on Sundays.
Sound Transit’s Link Pioneer Square station is just a few blocks away, and Metro Transit’s D line has a stop just around the corner.
Address: 306 S Washington St #104, Seattle, WA 98104