Carve a Block, Leave a Mark: DIY Printed Cards for Fall

Carve a Block, Leave a Mark: DIY Printed Cards for Fall

Looking for a fun evening activity that’s a little different than your usual plans? Come hang out at Sunset Commons for a night of creativity, conversation, and inky fingers (the good kind).

In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn the basics of linoleum block printing to design and carve your very own fall-inspired prints. Don’t worry—we’ll guide you step by step through sketching, carving, inking, and pulling bold, beautiful prints you’ll be proud to share.

By the end of the night, you’ll not only have a stack of handmade cards that look more gallery gift shop than DIY fail—you’ll also get to take part in a fun print exchange with your classmates. That means you go home with an assortment of original art, including your own.

What to expect:

• A cozy, social evening of making (perfect with friends or a date!).
• Beginner-friendly instruction—no art degree required.
• A stack of striking, fall-themed prints to keep or gift.
• An end-of-class print swap so you take home a mini collection.
• A cozy cup of tea while you create magic

Instead of just another dinner out, spend an evening making something memorable. You’ll leave with art, new skills, and maybe some inky fingerprints—but way better stories than scrolling through Netflix.

What to bring:

Nothing required but enthusiasm!

(Though - feel free to bring ideas, designs, or even drawings - we’ll go over how to transfer these onto a linoleum block. Simpler is better for these, as all lines and details will need to be carved into your block! Or, if freestyle drawing is more your speed, you can draw directly on your block and turn your sketches into relief prints. The linoleum blocks will be 4"x5”, so think slightly smaller than that for ideal sizes.)

About the Instructor:

Matt Ruehle is a local artist with a passion for printing. He loves the process of putting together a design in negative and chiseling it out, plus the fact that this art form leaves plenty of extra copies for sharing and gifting.

Outside of art, he lives in the SF Sunset, along with his partner, two cats, two rabbits, one dog, and thirty-five board games. He enjoys walking through Golden Gate Park and birding throughout the greater Bay Area, and gets most of his art ideas from these nature forays.

About Sunset Commons:

Carmen and Steven started Sunset Commons to provide a space to connect and build community through arts and craft activities led by talented local artists. Inspired by a love for creativity and a desire to foster connection in the Sunset District, we envisioned a “third space” where neighbors can gather, unwind, and form meaningful relationships. Our mission is to empower self-expression, boost confidence, and offer an inclusive haven for everyone, from introverts seeking a calm environment to those enjoying health-focused traditional teas. Sunset Commons is not just a business - it’s our way of enriching the community we love and to the city we both grew up in.

*Our events are often photographed and filmed so we can share the fun with our community. If you don’t want to be on camera, no worries—let us know before the event.