Print Shop

from trash to treasure

One of the things I collect is used Styrofoam boxes. You know, the kind you get for leftovers at a restaurant. The reason is art. I chop the flat section of the lid into a rectangle, and every winter, the children transform those pieces of Styrofoam into printing plates.

Begin by developing a design. We brainstormed winter themes for ours.  Next, tape your design to a flat piece of Styrofoam and transfer the design by pressing a pencil firmly against (and sometimes, through) the paper.

Lift the paper to check that your design has transferred properly. Use the pencil to define the lines of your design, as necessary.

Squeeze a ribbon of printing ink onto the ink tray.  Roll the brayer over the ink a few times in each direction to spread the ink evenly over the brayer's roller. 

Roll the brayer to coat your printing plate with ink.

Invert the inked plate and press it against a folded piece of construction paper. Rub the back of your plate (or roll with a clean brayer) to transfer the ink from your plate to the card.














Carefully separate the construction paper from your printing plate.

Tada!

Re-ink the printing plate, and print as many cards as you like! Be sure to sign and number the bottom of the card. Printers use a number to indicate the number of the specific print and the total number of prints in the edition.  (For example, if it’s your second card and you plan to make 10, record 2/10.)









There’s a Book for That!
The Etcher's Studio by Arthur Geisert