Enrollment for the 2025 Deep Dive is closed.
✨ Join the waitlist to be notified when the Deep Dives opens again in 2026.
Master the Art of Block Printed Repeat Patterns
Join the Waitlist
Sign up below to receive emails from me with block printing tips & tricks while you wait, and be the first to know when the doors open again.
We respect your privacy. By submitting your email address, you agree to receive emails from 3 Dotted Penguins with news, tips & resources, and special offers in the future. Unsubscribe at any time.
Dive Deep into the Magic of Block Printed Repeat Patterns
Build a strong block printing and repeat patterns foundation and unlock your creative potential. Learn to transform simple designs into intricate patterns, empowering you to craft unique products of your own.
JOIN WAITLISTDoes this sound familiar?
You want to bring creativity back into your life in a group of like-minded creatives.
You are fascinated by block printing & repeat patterns but don't know where to start.
You want to take your block printing or repeat pattern skills to the next level.
NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE ON YOUR JOURNEY
You are in the right place
The Repeat Pattern Deep Dive course is where you will master the art of stamp carving and block printing repeat patterns.
What is the Deep Dive?
The Deep Dive is an 9-week online training program for those who want to learn the art of block-printed repeat patterns.
Whether you have carved stamps for years or have never block-printed before, this course will meet you where you are. The Deep Dive will give you a strong foundation in stamp carving and block printing and will guide you step-by-step on how to build up repeat patterns from your own stamp design - starting with simple repeat patterns and gradually building up to more complex designs using one or multiple hand-carved blocks.
Join 100s of students from around the world who have mastered the art of repeat patterns.
"I made work I have never expected to be able to do” – Vesta Dobreva-Stefanov, USA
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR, ALI BAECKER OF 3 DOTTED PENGUINS
Hey there, I'm Ali!
I am a self-taught printmaker and surface pattern designer based in Zurich, Switzerland. I am here to teach you all about my passion for block printing and pattern design. I discovered my love for block printing in 2018 - with no previous experience with stamp carving or block printing and no understanding of how patterns worked. Since then, I've been carving blocks and creating countless prints and patterns. Through trial and error, I've learned what works and what doesn't, and I'm excited to share my knowledge and my tips and tricks with students like you to help kickstart your block printing and pattern journey.
Since 2020 I have taught hundreds of students from around the world in online workshops and courses. There is no bigger joy than seeing my students experience the magic of block printing and creating beautiful handprinted repeat patterns.
When I'm not working on 3 Dotted Penguins, you can find me chasing after my little printmaker (aka my daughter), exploring the world, or playing board games.
HOW STUDENTS DESCRIBE ALI'S DEEP DIVE IN ONE WORD
The Deep Dive is ...
amazing comprehensive brilliant encouraging creative fun innovative excellent inspirational thoughtful exhilarating joy confidence-building outstanding enthusiastic artful illuminating empowering essential delightful wonderful enlightening informative excellent deeeeeeeeeeeeep transformative heartening community exceptional fantastic inspiring great exciting well-rounded kind enabling wow 🤩 motivating eternal resourceful suuuuper lifechanging magic successful clear thorough fabulous helpful awesome engaging immersive
The Deep Dive got me back in touch with my love for printmaking – Wendy Digel, USA
What students say
I now look for ways to make patterns, specifically as carved blocks. It gives my work such a unique look. Working with the small blocks also makes it so easy to explore printing in ways you never planned on, generating new patterns and ideas.
- Wendy Digel, USA
The course was incredible! There is so much content, all you need to know to learn block printing and go beyond. [...] The course was very well structured and designed to slowly build our knowledge and practice what we learned before moving to the next step.
- Marina Marangolo, Italy
Ali’s ability to explain the process and predict problems is very unique. And her style of training guarantees good results. All students from my course showed incredible progress by the end - beautiful projects they could’ve never imagined they could create.
- Vesta Dobreva, USA
I took the Deep Dive course to learn more about carving. What I learned was so much more than that. My abilities to carve more intricate patterns changed dramatically. Ali taught us how to use different shapes of blocks and make them work together regardless of the pattern inside. If you are hesitant about the class don’t be. Sign up and do it. Every level of experience can benefit from this course. Ali is an excellent teacher.
- Joanne Howard, USA
All the tools you need ...
- a strong foundation in block printing
- master repeat patterns
- work with different block shapes
- design your own tesselating blocks
- carve and combine different stamps
- get confident in your pattern work
- build a repertoire of patterns
- make pattern play part of your toolbox
- apply to projects of your own
- show your work and receive feedback
- get support in the community
- stay motivated & inspired
The Deep Dive curriculum
Tools & Design
Module 1 is a week of preparation, with lessons on tools & materials, the principles of block printing and design, as well as designing for block printing. Module 1 will give you the opportunity to get any supplies that you might still want to get and - under my guidance - you will prepare your first design(s), to be carved in Module 2.
Intro to Block Printing
This module will give you a strong foundation in stamp carving and block printing. We will go through everything you need to know step-by-step, from transferring your design onto the block, getting to know your carving tools, an extensive carving exercise, carving and printing the block.
Intro to Repeat Patterns
Module 3 sets the stage for repeat patterns and is the foundation (together with Module 1 & 2) we will build upon in the upcoming modules. We will dive deep into how to design blocks specifically for (tesselating) repeat patterns, what to look out for when carving them & what to consider for the best possible alignment during printing.
Polygonal Shapes
In Module 4 we are continuing our journey into a series of standard tesselating shapes, like triangles, hexagons and diamonds. We will dive deep into each shape and explore their possibilities and how they lend themselves to different types of designs and repeat patterns. Latest in this module, you will start to immerse yourself in pattern play and working with color.
Curved Shapes
In this module, you learn about curved shapes like shell shapes and ogees and will work with these shapes extensively. While you have been carving and printing in every module (except module 1), you focus on precision carving and aligning your blocks precisely in this module to bring your skills to the next level. In this module you also start setting the stage for your final project.
Next Level & Opportunities
Module 6 is about leveling up your block printing and repeat patterns game and the possibilities that come with it. You learn how to make new patterns with blocks you already have and combine them, design additional blocks for more complex patterns and get introduced to making your own tessellating shapes. You learn about the possibilities & opportunities of block printing and get ready for the upcoming final project.
Final Project
You’ll conclude the Deep Dive by working on a final project of your choice, combining all the skills and techniques you’ve learned and developed throughout the course. Over the course of two weeks, you’ll have the support of Ali and the community to guide and inspire you as you bring your vision to life.
This is your opportunity to combine block printing with your other creative passions. Whether you’re printing custom t-shirts, creating a stunning block print to frame, or designing beautiful gift wrap or greeting cards, incorporate your hand-printed fabrics into sewing or work on a bookbinding project, the possibilities are endless. It’s all about expressing your unique creativity and exploring how block printing can enhance your work in ways that excite you.
My biggest takeaway from the course was confidence with designing more intricate designs, including tessellating shapes!
- Mel Beach, USA
IN A NUTSHELL
The features of the Deep Dive
Pre-recorded lessons
The Deep Dive course contains 90+ pre-recorded lessons (released in 6 modules) over 9 weeks.
A full week to implement
Modules are released on Thursdays, so you can get started on the weekend and have 1 week until the Q&A.
Live Q&A calls
Each module comes with a live Q&A call (Wednesdays at 9 pm CEST Europe - which equals mostly 3 pm EDT US Eastern, recorded).
Final Project
We will build up to a final project at the end of the course where you will bring your patterns to life and apply everything you learned to a product or project of your choice.
Supportive experience
Get all your questions answered with live calls, a community platform to share your work and connect with other like-minded students. You are not going through this alone! We are in this together.
Interactive community
The Deep Dive comes with a private community during the live part of the course - perfect for connecting with your classmates, asking questions, sharing your course work, and receiving feedback.
Go at your own pace
No matter if you work through the course live during the 9 weeks or go at your own pace, the Deep Dive comes with at least 2 years of access to the course.
Worksheets & Captions
Selected lessons come with worksheets and templates to support you in working through the content.
All pre-recorded lessons come with transcripts and closed captions in English.
Invest 100% risk free
This course comes with a 14-day money-back guarantee. If you are unhappy with the Deep Dive within the first 2 weeks of the course, I will give you your money back.
Course Timeline
During the live part of the course, modules are released on Thursdays. However, you have access to the entire course for a total of two years and can go through all the content at your own pace – even outside of the live sessions.
A Selection of Final Projects by Deep Dive Students
Final Projects by Deep Dive students Nadja S. Gruenig (Switzerland), Andrea Wenzel (Germany), Beth Longcope (USA), Martina Sattler (Germany), Annemarie Gilsenan (Switzerland), Verena Krause (Germany), Jane Skirrow (Australia), Suzi Banks Baum (USA), Sally Kane (USA), Dana Schulz (Germany), Ingrid Furxer (Austria)
What students say
I loved that the course was a mix of pre-recorded classes that I could watch when my schedule allowed and weekly interactive sessions. I appreciated that we had homework and a deadline each week. It forced us to finish and not seek perfection without results. An unexpected bonus was the community that developed with the other students. Besides Ali providing creative input and encouragement, fellow students did the same. It was such a motivating experience. Ali is a fantastic teacher [...] She is a wealth of information about tools and processes. The money spent on the course is a real value!
- Roseann McLean, USA
My creativity has been expanded! The lessons are logical, detailed, fun and can also be challenging. The progress that is achieved by everyone throughout the course is truly inspirational! Via the live Q&A's and community hub, new friends are made from different parts of the world and seeing the varied interpretations from the same brief is exciting. This course has given me a solid foundation in how to develop an idea through experimentation, carving a block, to printing a design that I'm delighted with.
- Jane Skirrow, Australia
The Deep Dive course far exceeded my expectations. The step by step instruction given in each module is designed with both beginners and experienced block printers in mind. Ali's supportive approach, encourages each student to work at whatever pace and level they are comfortable. From this, success was easily achieved without feeling any pressure. [...] I look forward to taking this course again to further my knowledge and strengthen my skills especially in tessellation design and carving techniques.
- Sally Kane, USA
Where Ali's students have been from
Australia Austria Belgium Bermuda Brazil Canada Chile Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Great Britain Greece Hungary India Ireland Israel Italy Kuwait Netherlands New Zealand Paraguay Philippines Poland Singapore South Africa Spain Sweden Switzerland Thailand United Arab Emirates United States of America Zimbabwe
... and counting
Examples of student work from previous Deep Dive classes
Designs & Prints by Deep Dive Alumni Ingrid Furxer (Austria), Annemarie Gilsenan (Switzerland), Silvia Bravo (Spanien), Clare Hyatt (UK), Vesta Dobreva-Stefanov (USA), Susan Klemetti (USA), Rose Stardust (Canada), Wendy Digel (USA), Syelle Willing (Germany), Jane Skirrow (Australia), Marina Marangolo (Italy), Veronica Glattauer (Australia), Sally Kane (USA), Mel Beach (USA).
What students say
I also have some printmaking experience, so I wasn't sure I would learn a lot. I'll tell you, that I learned soooooooo much!
If someone were on the fence about joining, I'd say that from designing to carving, to printing, you'll come away with all the tools and knowledge to make beautiful blocks and patterns. Even though I have made linocuts before, but I learned something new in every single hour of the course. I'm so excited to take this further!
- Michal Sommers, USA
I have always felt motivated after the sessions and proud of what I managed to create. I thought that one had to be absolutely perfect, but it is the imperfections that I think make it my own. If you are wanting to escape into a world of creativity, and be guided by Ali's infectious enthusiasm I would highly recommend it
- Veronica Glattauer, Australia
Ali's Deep Dive classes will advance your carving/printing skills, confidence, and enthusiasm for block printing! You'll build upon your block printing experience and leave with new design inspiration, shapes, and lots of tips/tricks.
Ali generously shares her experience and expertise, thoughtful answers to participant questions, and provides positive feedback along with lots of encouragement along the way!
- Mel Beach, USA
I love the fact [Ali] takes what seems like something hard to do as a newbie and make it easy to do with very clear and manageable steps. And that I can walk away each time with a designed stamp that makes me smile that I did that!!
- Deanna Cole, USA
My biggest improvement in the course was to develop new delicate patterns using different block shapes. To somebody on the fence about joining the Deep Dive I would say, do it, do it, do it! This course takes your block printing to a whole new level.
- Ernst Kienle, Germany
Ali has a wonderful way to describe step by step what you need to be successful. She also provides the needed background for further understanding of your tools, your planning; and your implementation. You get more than what you expect but not more than you need!
- Julie Byrne, USA
The Deep Dive is for you if ...
- You are excited about exploring a new medium or deepening your block carving and printing skills
- You love working with your hands
- You enjoy learning in a community of like-minded people
- You are looking to add a new dimension to your art practice or hobby
- You want a break from digital screens and immerse yourself in a hands-on activity
- You want to add a manual component to your digital work
- You are looking for a relaxing and meditative activity to add to your self-care routine
- You enjoy creating unique and personalized designs and want to learn a skill that can be applied to various projects and mediums
- You want to create custom prints for personal or commercial use
- You are open to experimentation with color, texture, and composition
- You are excited to see the process of your designs come to life through printing
The Deep Dive is not for you if ...
- You are afraid of sharp carving tools
- You don’t like to get inky fingers
- The world of patterns bores you
- You don’t enjoy being creative with your hands
- You are looking for a purely digital or technology-based art form.
What students are using their Deep Dive skills for
GREETING CARDS FABRIC PRINTING POST CARDS JOURNALING SURFACE DESIGN STATIONARY DESIGN PATTERN DEVELOPMENT HANDMADE BOOKS WRAPPING PAPER WALL PRINTS COASTERS HAND FANS POTTERY CUSTOM PRINTS TOTE BAGS QUILTING
and so much more ...
"I'm using my pattern blocks for making postcards, Christmas ornaments, and printing into my pottery."
- Doris Buchegger, Austria
"I am feeling confident to begin using my knowledge to start a small block printing business, hopefully soon."
- Marina Marangolo, Italy
"I still feel inspired and continue to develop new patterns. I especially like smaller stamps, which I use - among other things - to print on envelopes."
- Syelle Willing, Germany
"I use my new block carvings to enhance my art on cards, wrapping paper and customized prints."
- Julie Byrne, USA
"I joined the class to be able to make more complicated repeating patterns that I could apply to the fabric block printing that I do. I’m now screen-printing these more complex repeating patterns onto fabric using natural dye pastes."
– Susan Klemetti, USA
"Since the course, I've continued carving and printing whenever I have time. I am currently exploring implementing my designs to products, like tote bags, hand stitched notebooks, coasters or hand fans."
- Silvia Bravo, Spain
"I'm starting to print with card and envelope designs in mind, and I'm also working to incorporate the designs into handmade books with hand lettering. I have an alphabet block series in mind, too."
- Michal Sommers, USA
"The course has added multiple new layers of design-thinking to the way I create surface patterns and my prints. I infuse bits of what I've learned in the course into both, plus I also love to carve small blocks to get out of creative ruts."
- Rose Stardust, Canada
Meet your Deep Dive support team
ALI BAECKER
Your Deep Dive teacher
Printmaker & Surface Pattern Designer
Zurich, Switzerland
ANDREA OFFERMANN
2 times Deep Dive Alumna
Artist & Illustrator
Germany
WENDY DIGEL
2 times Deep Dive Alumna
Artist & Surface Pattern Designer
Georgia, USA
"If you're unsure, consider these: Firstly, Deep Dive is a great addition to any other surface design courses out there because it will improve your designs by teaching you new ways to think about how patterns come together.
Secondly, if you are a printmaker or a dabbler, this will give you a whole new way to make prints.
Thirdly, Ali is an excellent teacher and her approach is unique as she is not only an artist but also an engineer, and again, that will make you see pattern design and/or printmaking in a new light. It did for me and I think the experience improved my creative practice and how I approach design as a whole.
Last, but not least, I had a great time and was full of inspiration after the classes."
- Rose Stardust, Canada
"There is nothing better than taking a class like this for self care. Having time set aside specifically to work on your blocks is true therapy" - Wendy Digel, USA
Enrollment for the Deep Dive is currently closed.
Join the Waitlist
Sign up below to receive emails from me with block printing tips & tricks while you wait. Plus, you will be the first to know when doors open again in early 2026!
We respect your privacy. By submitting your email address you agree to receive emails from 3 Dotted Penguins with news, tips & resources, and special offers in the future. Unsubscribe at any time.
