Design

This project is a fun way to make custom prints you can use for many items.

Printmaking is the process of transferring a pattern or piece of art with inks onto paper. Every time you transfer the ink, it is considered an original piece of art since it will have it’s own unique qualities.

You can use many items; a carved block, a Styrofoam plate, fruits, erasers, etc, that will transfer the ink to make a homemade print.

Here is how to use rolling pins, rubber bands and craft foam to make a pattern. The advantage to using a rolling pin is that you can do a large area very quickly, plus it’s pretty fun.

Break your supply list up into stores you will need to visit.

Craft store: craft foam, spray glue, paper, tape, block printing ink, rubber bands and scissors.

Thrift store: rolling pins and frames larger than your rolling pin for the glass or acrylic. If you find more than one frame, purchase it so you can have a few colors of ink out at one time. If you only have one piece of glass or acrylic, you will have to wash it to switch colors. More than one rolling pin is handy, too.

If you can’t find frames or rolling pins at the thrift store, TJ Maxx is a good bet.

Other options: use an old mouse pad instead of craft foam. They make excellent diy stamps.  Look for a flat baking pan at the thrift store instead of using glass or acrylic. The crud will add to the texture.

We’re gonna get messy so cover your work area and put on your apron………

Step 1. Cover your rolling pins with paper and tape it on. On my first attempt, I used plastic wrap. It worked but some of the plastic picked up the ink. Paper worked better.

Step 2. Cut out the craft foam in your own one-of-a-kind design and attach it to the covered rolling pin with spray glue.  If you don’t care how messy your rolling pin gets, you can adhere the foam directly to the wood. Some craft foam has a sticky back. If you can find it, you can skip the spray glue. Or, instead of using craft foam, wrap the rolling pin with rubber bands. Now your rolling pin is ready to go.

Step 3. Squeeze out some ink on the glass. Block printing ink is water-soluble and non toxic. It’s thick and sticky and doesn’t dry too fast. It washed off my rolling pin handle, too.

Step 4. Spread the ink with a brush.

Step 5. Roll the pin in the ink so it covers the craft foam or rubber bands. You can go back and forth and side to side to make sure it is completely inked up.

Step 6. Tape down your paper and roll on your design. Pure awesomeness! You can add layers by rolling the stamp out more than once on the paper or add another color if you want to get fancy.

It’s a perfect project to make custom wrapping paper. My holiday presents will be crazy cool.

You can make cards and tags with the scraps. Fun!