Let’s do ARTOGETHER // Printmaking with Foam Trays

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.