Springtime printmakers

Printmaking is a technique where you make a single design that can be reprinted over and over again on paper or fabric (like a rubber stamp). It is usually done by cutting negative spaces (areas of a design that won’t show colour) into a material like linoleum, metal, wood and more. It has been used all over the world, in almost every culture, for many years – books, art prints and graphic t-shirts can all be made through printmaking.

Supplies

• Cardboard (Corrugated cardboard is a thicker type of cardboard that can be cut into. If you don’t have this, you can glue thinner pieces of cardboard together to make a raised surface.)
• Pen or pencil
• Scissors
• Ink or paint
• Blank paper

Directions

Step one

Draw a design on a piece of cardboard and cut out different sections so some parts are raised and others are sunk in. If this is too difficult, you can glue string or other objects onto the cardboard instead (make sure they’re about the same height from the cardboard’s surface).

Step two

Put ink or paint on the raised parts of your cardboard design. Before the ink/paint dries, press your blank paper evenly onto your cardboard to create the print.

Step three

Try using a different colour and another piece of paper to make a different print. You can make as many prints as you want with the same design.

Learn more

Linocut printing is another method that can easily be done at home. It involves using tools to cut a design into a thick piece of linoleum. Supplies can be ordered from your local art supply store.

To learn more about printmaking and the different kinds of printmaking, visit the Alberta Printmakers website.