What should block printing creators offer on Patreon?

Block printing creators offer Patreon content that captures the calibration layer behind each print that videos compress out: ink consistency at each print session, carving depth decisions that produced specific line qualities, pressure calibration for even ink transfer across the full block, and substrate-specific documentation for paper vs fabric printing. The Process tier ($10–15/month) delivers each project's full documentation: block material and preparation method, ink brand and type, consistency assessment at the session, roller pass count for ink charging, print pressure method (baren, wooden spoon, or press), substrate, and the first-pull vs late-run print comparison that documents how the block performs over a print run. The Pattern Release tier ($12–18/month) adds monthly carved block patterns with the full carving specification — design file, recommended block material, gouge sizes for each design element, carving depth target for lines and clear areas.

How should block printing creators document ink viscosity for Patreon?

Ink viscosity documentation uses the palette knife ribbon test as the standard consistency check: lift a small amount of ink on a palette knife and hold the knife horizontal, then tilt slowly — at correct viscosity for block printing, the ink drops off in slow ribbons 2–4cm long that hold together without running freely; too thin ink runs off in a continuous stream; too thick ink drops off in chunky masses or holds stiff peaks. Water-based block printing inks are humidity-sensitive: at high relative humidity (above 70% RH), water-based inks thin slightly and require less water in any dilution; at low humidity (below 40% RH, common in heated winter interiors), the same ink thickens more quickly and may require retarder medium addition to maintain working consistency across a long print session. Oil-based inks are less humidity-sensitive but temperature-sensitive: cold temperature makes them stiffer and requires more rolling to achieve even slab coverage. Document ink brand, base type (water-based or oil-based), any additions (water, retarder, extender), room temperature and humidity at printing time, and the consistency description or ribbon test result — so patrons can replicate the working ink state rather than estimating from the manufacturer's specification.

How does carving depth affect print quality, and how should it be documented?

Carving depth determines which areas receive ink from the roller and print, and which remain uninked and print as white (or the substrate color). The decision is not arbitrary: it follows from the design element type and the line width. For fine lines (hairline to 0.5mm width): carve using a V-gouge at a 30–45 degree approach angle to the block surface, to a depth of 1.5–2mm; approach from the side of the line rather than the center to preserve the line ridge; the shallow angle preserves more block material around the narrow ridge and reduces the risk of undercutting the line. For medium lines (0.5–2mm): V-gouge or small U-gouge, 2–3mm depth. For broad clear areas (non-printing regions): U-gouge or wide fishtail gouge, 3–5mm depth; clearing too shallow (under 2mm) causes the ghost line problem. The ghost line is a visible printed mark in a nominally clear area caused by the ink roller depositing ink on the shallow carved floor before the area has been cleared deeply enough to be below the roller’s ink transfer zone. Prevention: clear all non-printing areas to at least 3mm depth; test-print on scrap paper before the final substrate and examine ghost areas under raking light; re-carve any area that shows unwanted marks. Document the gouge sizes used, the depth target for each design element, and any ghost-line corrections made between the test print and the production run.

What are the iOS rates and Apple Tax for block printing creator audiences?

Block printing creators reach audiences through YouTube (process documentation and technique tutorials), Instagram (finished print photography and block carving in-progress), and TikTok (print reveal and carving transformation content). YouTube block printing and linocut process tutorials show 55–65% iOS. Instagram block printing and craft accounts show 70–80% iOS. TikTok block printing reveal content shows 75–85% iOS. A process educator at $300/month with 60% iOS faces approximately $300 × 0.60 × 0.30 = $54/month ($648/year) starting November 1, 2026. At $400/month with 70% iOS: approximately $400 × 0.70 × 0.30 = $84/month ($1,008/year). The fix is Patreon's web-only billing toggle plus bio link updates on all platforms to the direct Patreon page URL.

KeepTier guides · 2026-06-26

Patreon for block printing creators: ink viscosity calibration, carving depth documentation, pressure mechanics, iOS rates, and the Apple Tax in 2026

Block printing Patreons retain when they deliver the calibration layer that the print reveal video cannot carry: ink consistency at the session, carving depth decisions that produced the specific line quality, and pressure mechanics that make prints reproducible across substrates. Block printing audiences are YouTube and Instagram-primary with iOS rates in the 60–80% range — Apple Tax exposure begins November 1, 2026.

Who block printing creators are on Patreon

Block printing separates into three creator types with overlapping audiences but distinct documentation needs. Relief carvers work in linoleum, rubber, and wood, and their Patreon content is the design and carving documentation: the image design, the carving sequence, the gouge selection by design element, and the proofing record from first pull to final edition. Fabric block printers use carved blocks or commercial stamps to print repeat patterns on textile, and their documentation covers ink-to-substrate compatibility, repeat registration mechanics, and the fabric preparation and heat-setting protocol that makes the print washfast. Paper and card block printers work on fine paper, greeting card stock, and artist paper, and their documentation covers substrate selection, ink consistency for paper (different from fabric printing), and edition management for limited-run print sales.

Ink viscosity calibration

The palette knife ribbon test

Ink consistency for block printing is thicker than for screen printing but thinner than for letterpress. The palette knife ribbon test is the standard consistency check: scoop a small amount of ink with the palette knife, hold the knife horizontal over the slab, then tilt slowly. At correct block printing consistency, the ink drops off the knife in slow, distinct ribbons 2–4cm long that separate cleanly and hold their shape before spreading; too-thin ink runs off in a continuous stream that cannot be controlled; too-thick ink drops off in clumps or holds rigid peaks that resist spreading when rolled. Document the test result alongside the printing session record.

Water-based block printing inks (Speedball, Akua Intaglio used for relief, Caligo Safe Wash) are humidity-sensitive in both directions. At high relative humidity (above 70% RH), water-based inks thin slightly during the print session as the high ambient moisture content slows surface evaporation; a session started at correct consistency may need a retarder medium addition within thirty to forty-five minutes to maintain working consistency. At low humidity (below 40% RH, common in heated winter interiors or air-conditioned studios), water-based inks thicken faster and may need a drop of water added to the slab to maintain the ribbon-test consistency across a long session. Oil-based inks (Cranfield, Gamblin Relief) are not humidity-sensitive but stiffen at lower temperatures; cold-studio printing in winter may require warming the ink slab slightly or extending the initial rolling time before printing. Document room temperature and humidity alongside every session record.

Ink charging the block: roller pass count documentation

The number of roller passes across the block directly determines how much ink is deposited on the printing surface. Too few passes produces uneven coverage with lighter ink where the roller did not reach; too many passes deposits excess ink that fills fine-line details and produces a “fat” print with thickened lines and filled negative spaces. The standard approach for full-coverage blocks: three even roller passes in alternating directions (left-to-right, right-to-left, and top-to-bottom) charges the block surface evenly; for fine-line blocks where line fill is a risk, two passes with careful alignment to the block edges is usually sufficient. Document the pass count and pattern (directional vs omnidirectional) in the session record alongside the ink consistency description.

Carving depth documentation

V-gouge vs U-gouge selection by design element

Gouge selection follows from the line width and design element type. V-gouges (also called veining tools or line tools) cut a narrow V-shaped channel and are the primary tool for fine lines, hairlines, and crisp-edge work. U-gouges (also called fluters or sweep gouges) cut a rounded channel and are used for medium lines, organic curves, and clearing non-printing areas. Fishtail gouges and wide sweep gouges clear large non-printing areas efficiently. The practical documentation for each design element in a block: which tool was used, the approximate tool size (1mm V, 3mm U, 6mm fishtail), the approach angle to the block surface, and the target depth in millimeters.

Carving depth targets and the ghost line problem

The depth thresholds for each design element type: fine lines (hairline to 0.5mm) require 1.5–2mm depth at the cut edges to lift the line ridge above the floor; medium lines (0.5–2mm) require 2–3mm depth; large-area clearing requires 3–5mm depth. The ghost line is the most common carving problem: a visible printed mark in a nominally clear area (a white area in the design) caused by the ink roller depositing ink on the carved floor that was not cleared deeply enough to be below the contact zone of the inked roller.

Ghost lines are most common in areas cleared with insufficient depth (under 2mm) and in areas where a wide tool was used in a single pass without overlapping passes at the edges, leaving shallow ridges between passes. Prevention protocol: clear all non-printing areas to at least 3mm; make a test print on scrap paper or newsprint before committing to the final substrate; examine the test print under raking light (angled light from one side that reveals low-contrast marks not visible under direct light). Mark ghost areas on the test print and re-carve those specific locations before the production run. Document the number of test prints made and the ghost-line corrections required, because the test-print count is an indicator of block complexity and helps patrons plan their own carving sessions.

Print pressure calibration

Consistent pressure across the full block is the variable most commonly under-documented in block printing process videos, which typically show the finished print without documenting the pressure technique that produced it. Pressure method options: hand burnishing with a baren (circular rubbing tool, typically bamboo mat sheath over a flat disc), wooden spoon back, brayer handle, or fingers; or mechanical pressure via a printing press, etching press, or bookbinding press adapted for relief printing.

For hand burnishing, document the tool type (baren brand and style), the motion pattern (circular, overlapping circles covering the full block surface), the number of burnishing passes, and the pressure level (light, medium, firm — or a more specific description such as “firm enough to feel the texture of the paper on the back surface”). Uneven pressure is the primary cause of uneven ink transfer: the outside edges of a large block receive less pressure than the center in hand burnishing because the burnishing tool runs off the edge at the perimeter. Correct by applying extra passes at the perimeter or by placing the block face-down on the inked slab and applying pressure from the back (the “flip and press” method for smaller blocks).

For press-based printing, document the press type, the packing used (press blanket thickness, sheet count, and material), and the pressure setting if adjustable. Packing affects impression depth: too little packing under-prints fine details; too much packing over-impresses and causes ink squash on soft blocks (linoleum and rubber deform under excess pressure).

Tier structure for block printing creators

Process tier ($10–15/month): each project’s full documentation — block material, ink brand and type, consistency assessment, roller pass count, pressure method, substrate, and first-pull vs. late-run print comparison (documenting how the block performs over an edition run). Pattern Release tier ($12–18/month): monthly carved block patterns with full carving specification — design file, block material recommendation, gouge sizes by design element, depth targets, and ghost-line prevention notes. Archive tier ($18–25/month): same plus access to all prior releases and design files. Workshop tier ($30–45/month, capped 6–10 patrons): adds a monthly critique slot for patron prints with a structured submission protocol: ink and block specification, print photograph, and the specific problem being diagnosed.

Apple Tax for block printing creator audiences

Block printing creators reach audiences primarily through YouTube (process documentation and tutorials), Instagram (finished print photography and in-progress carving), and TikTok (print reveal and transformation content). YouTube block printing and linocut process tutorials: 55–65% iOS. Instagram block printing and craft accounts: 70–80% iOS. TikTok block printing: 75–85% iOS.

The Apple Tax calculation: a process educator at $300/month with 60% iOS faces approximately $300 × 0.60 × 0.30 = $54/month ($648/year) starting November 1, 2026. At $400/month with 70% iOS: approximately $400 × 0.70 × 0.30 = $84/month ($1,008/year). The fix is Patreon’s web-only billing toggle plus bio link updates on all platforms.

KeepTier is a self-hosted membership page for creators who want 100% of their tier revenue and zero Apple tax. Plans start at $9/month.