We're sorry
There was an error adding this product to your cart. Please close this window and try again.
Inspired? Create and share by tagging @HallmarkStores.
Even as an adult, it’s fun to give your mom a handmade gift to celebrate her on Mother’s Day, her birthday or just because. Block printing—also called rubber stamping and linocut printing—is a simple way to add a colorful personal touch to always-useful tea-towels and bandanas.
Even better: You can use the stamp you make to create multiples, like bandanas in different colors or a monogrammed set of tea towels. Hallmark designers made a batch to show us how it’s done.
Even Easier DIY Towels
We’ve simplified the whole process with Tea Towel Handprint Kits. You’ll get everything you need to add your family’s handprints to cute towels (on purpose and in cute colors instead of dirt for once).
Make some 2” squares on your tracing paper and sketch some simple designs: Try flowers, hearts, rainbows, flowers, stars leaves, geometric shapes or letters.
When you like your sketch, go over it with the pencil again, pressing down harder. Then flip the tracing paper over, sketch side down, on a piece of the linoleum block and rub over the lines with your pencil so the lead on the transfers to the rubber.
Use the cutting tools to carve out the rubber where you don’t want color. Try the larger cutting tools to carve out bigger spaces and smaller ones to get close to the shapes you’re going to leave.
When you’re hollowing out your stamp, don’t worry about being perfect. Block printing looks great when backgrounds have little bits of color where you left some rubber.
Your stamp is ready! Squirt a little fabric paint on to a paper plate and roll the brayer until it’s completely—but thinly—covered. If you’re using a foam brush, don’t overload it.
Before you block print on the towel or bandana, practice stamping on plain paper or scrap fabric to see how much paint coverage you’ll need and how you want to space your design. You can also wipe off the stamp and cut out more rubber if you need to.
To print, carefully press the stamp on to the fabric and lift it off slowly. If you’re stamping more than once, apply more paint each time.
Here are some different ways to make different designs with the same stamp:
Or add another stamp with a new color for lots more options!
Let your design dry while you make more. Why stop at just one? When you finish, follow the instructions on the fabric paint to make sure it sets permanently.
Now they’re ready to give as gifts and use to wrap presents. Ideas on that below!
Ways to give your block print gifts
You can give your linocut bandanas and tea towels in approximately a gazillion ways. Here are a few we love.
Tie together a set of color-coordinated towels, napkins or bandanas
Wrap up a box of chocolates, a book or two, or a homemade treat
Give a bottle of her favorite beverage
Watch as Keepsake Artist Charles Young explains how Hallmark's decades-long artistry in the world of papercraft has i...
That feeling of seeing Cinderella’s castle in person. The dazzling wonder of the Main Street Electrical Para...
Holiday lovers, we see you! While other people are drenched in summer sweat, we know you’re dreaming of a white Chris...
Hot take incoming: Cards are basically mini time capsules. Not only do you get to hold on to a piece of someone’s han...
Some of your favorite Hallmark friends have gathered for fun and festivities this holiday season! Keepsake Ornament c...
We LOVE a new Keepsake Ornament series, and this one promises to be totally adorable. The Welcome to Elfville series ...
Get ready for friends, family and fireworks—and break out the red, white and blue for Independence Day. It’s time ...
Fall brings cooler nights, cute sweaters, homecoming games and tailgate parties. It’s time to flip the calendar page,...
Is it hot enough for you? Well, we’re here to add some extra sizzle. It’s time to flip the calendar page, check ou...
We love dads. They’re uniquely brilliant, wise beyond reason, silly in the best way and caring in the sweetest. The r...
This week we are closing in on the 2025 Dream Book cover and so much more in our week four behind the scenes look....
Happy anniversary, Peanuts! We’re celebrating 75 years of Charlie Brown and the gang with an extra-special c...
Another week of Dream Book sneak peeks with all the snow and sparkle you'd imagine from Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments!
Father’s Day only comes once a year—so it’s time to make the most of this chance to celebrate the dads and father fig...
Milestone birthdays are an excuse to go BIG. And if you’ve got a big birthday coming up (yours or theirs!) and are in...
Milestones don’t come much bigger than a 100th birthday. Turning 100 is a major accomplishment for anyone—not just in...
A 90th birthday party is a truly special time. It’s a chance for family and friends to celebrate the guest of honor a...
An 80th birthday is a truly remarkable milestone! Just think of all the change an 80-year-old has seen in their lifet...
Seventy is not just another birthday. A 70th birthday is a (hopefully) retired hoot. A celebration and continuation o...
If you know someone turning 60, you know it’s a pretty incredible milestone to celebrate. When you turn 60, you’ve li...