Wooden Printing Blocks & Initials

The Old Printing Shop of London has over 500 decorative images of objects, animals, scenes and symbols and letters in various styles, typefaces and sizes. These wood printing blocks, produced by traditional techniques, have copper surfaces mounted on wooden blocks as shown on the left. They are lightweight and robust and make ideal inexpensive gifts which can easily be sent through the post.

Our printing blocks are used in the same way as rubber stamps, they produce an excellent print. We have many rubber stampers customers who collect from our 500 designs. Rubber stampers like to buy from the old printing shop, as our blocks are fairly priced, very hard wearing, great selection and can be displayed in one our printing trays.

Wooden printing blocks aren't simply decorative - they can be used to stamp images and initials onto correspondence, the flyleaves of books, and anything else you wish to personalise.

Wooden printing blocks start at £3 for around 3/4" (2cm) square block, to £5 for a block 2" (5cm) square. Larger blocks of up to 4" (10cm) square are available, and these are priced individually. All blocks are 3/4" (2cm) high, and all dimensions are approximate.

Wildlife and animal images are very popular and we have a huge selection to suit all ages and interests, a few of which are illustrated here. Click on any of the examples below for a closer look.

We have a range of wooden printing blocks with images relating to hobbies and interests, history, mythology, music, transport, military insignia, churches, buildings, rural scenes and a great deal more. A few samples are shown below - click on any for a better view.

London scenes are popular with both Londoners and visitors and we have quite a varied selection of scenes, symbols and icons such as the double-decker bus. There are a few samples here - click on any for a better view.

The blocks are practical tools: you could make your own greeting cards as shown by our Christmas stamp!

Initials are available in 4 types, constructed from copper on wood. You can purchase initials individully, or buy them in sets that spell words, which may be used in businesses for design work and adverising or at home to form family names etc. Below we have 4 different types of initial displayed. Initials can also be displayed in a printers typecase.

Here are a few examples of our initials. We have four alphabets to choose from and you can click on any examples for a clearer view.

All initials are of the same standard height 3/4" (2cm).

We can send any initial in any of the styles shown here by post anywhere in the world. If there is something particular you'd like email us (don't forget to specify which letters you would like) or, better still, come and visit us at Portobello Road, Covent Garden or Oxford - see Contact the Printing Shop for full details.

Individual printers lead type is also available in various styles and sizes. This is ideal for marking pottery, leather and printing.