Printmaking

You don't have to have an expensive printmaking machine to do this. There are many ways that you can make prints.

Just in case you do have access to a printmaking machine her are some steps to help you:

Materials

1. Overhead projector sheets
2. Printmaking paints. You can buy them HERE or at craft stores.
3. Scissors
4. Brayer (specific kind of paint roller) found HERE on amazon. A brush will also work, but a brayer will help you get the paint even when you apply it.
5. Printmaker
6. Damp pack (paper that is moist is necessary in order for the paint to transfer from the projector sheet to the paper after the paint has dried). HERE is a PDF of how to make a damp pack.
7. Plexiglas (doesn't need to be too big--12"x12" would be sufficient)

Procedure

1. Use a spoon or some other technique to scoop the paint out the of the containers onto your piece of Plexiglas. You don't need much paint. Mix colors, but don't mix them in the containers or your will ruin the whole batch.
2. Use your brayer to mix your paint roll onto your Plexiglas. Roll until you have an even amount of paint on your entire brayer. ALWAYS ROLL ONE WAY.
3. Use your brayer to apply your paint to your overhead projector until evenly applied.
4. Allow to dry.
5. Cut shapes/objects from your DRIED overhead projector. It won't work very well if the paint is even a little wet. In order to speed up the process, you can use a blow dryer.
6. Arrange your pieces PAINT SIDE DOWN on your damp piece of paper. If the paper has dried out too much, spray with a few squirts of water from a squirt bottle. Blot with a paper towel to keep the dampness consistent throughout the entire paper.
7. After arranging your pieces, set on the printmaker. put another piece of paper on top to prevent the paint from staining the wool.
8. Crank it through and you're done!

Finished Print

An easier, less expensive way of creating prints is to use styrofoam pads:

Materials:

1. Styrofoam
2. Pen
3. Paint--you can use the printmaking paints that were mentioned earlier, but other paint will work i.e. acrylic or tempera
4. Paper
5. Brayer or Brush
6. Plexiglas

Procedure

1. Cut the styrofoam to the size of the print you would like to make
2. Engrave the styrofoam with any image your would like (make sure to do it backwards from what you want your print to look like)
3. You can use the same technique as previously mentioned to mix your paint and spread it on your styrofoam.
4. Apply your print pattern to your paper like a stamp.

Print Pattern

Finished Print

Other videos of printmaking techniques:

Printmaking without a Press:

Fabric Printing:

Other examples of Prints and ideas:

Here you will find Printmaking 101 and Printmaking 102 with some good ideas about teaching kids about this art.

Here is a website with how to do your own screen printing on fabric.

There are so many ways of printmaking and it can be adjusted for all age levels.