The pad stamp, also called "planche", "cliché" or "matrix", is a block of wood (usually pear, walnut or cherry) of variable dimensions with the lower part carved, in negative, with decorative motifs. For the more complex parts of the designs, difficult to obtain with carving, metal profiles were inserted by nailing (which could be made of brass, copper or pewter). The pad stamp was used for printing fabrics: it was in fact colored or covered with glue (resist printing) and impressed on the fabric.