Let’s do ARTOGETHER // Printmaking with Foam Trays

by | May 11, 2020 | Eco-Crafts for Adults, Free Tutorials, Kids & Art

How to Print Thank you Notes Using Foam Trays

Feeling thankful? Try printmaking thank you cards for your child to send to someone special in their life.

Materials Needed:

  • Styrofoam meat trays
  • Scissors
  • Copy paper & Pencil for drawing ideas
  • Dull pencil or chop stick
  • Block printing ink ideal or *tempera paint
  • Brayer or rolling pin
  • Baking tray (metal or glass) or flat plastic lid
  • Paper or blank cards
  • Large spoon
  • Table covering or newspaper
  • Damp rag

* If tempera paint is not thick & sticky, add small amount of dish soap & flour.

Process:
ADULTS

  • Cut off edges of meat tray to create flat piece of foam

KIDS

  • Trace foam plate onto copy paper. Draw simple line picture. Stay inside drawn rectangle.
  • Using a dull pencil or chop stick, copy drawing onto foam or place drawing on top of foam & trace lines with firm pressure Remember: All letters & numbers must be traced or drawn onto foam plate backwards
  • For young children skip first step & draw directly onto foam
  • Double check all lines are deep, not shallow
  • Add small amount of ink or paint to tray & roll brayer over ink several times to create an even coating Tip: Keep damp towel near by to clean ink off fingers 
  • Roll brayer over foam plate several times in multiple directions until covered
  • Flip over foam plate onto printing surface (paper or card) & press firmly
  • Flip over paper & tray together & rub paper side with back of spoon
  • Peel off paper and let dry

No Brayer or ink, no problem! Lightly paint foam tray drawing. Flip foam plate onto piece of paper/blank card. Roll back side of foam plate with rolling pin. Peel off foam plate slowly & carefully. Voila!

Cloud 9 Kid Connection:

Printmaking invites children to experiment with a new tool called a brayer. Children enjoy experimenting with new gadgets & the repetitive process of printmaking. Don’t expect clean & perfect prints with this process. Try printing over other drawings or paintings for varied effects.

 

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