Printmaking can be a fun way to explore the world of art. There are a variety of mediums you can use and styrofoam is just one of them. It is free, available and you are recycling at the same time. So save those styrofoam trays and get ready to create!
Styrofoam Prints
What you need:
- styrofoam trays - washed and dried from meat, vegetables, etc - the large trays work better than the smaller ones
- ball point pens, pencils or a stylus - one for each child
- brayers (also know as ink rollers) - can be found in any arts & crafts supply store
- printer's ink (water soluble) or thick tempera paint
- a flat surface that you can move - for example a cookie sheet, plastic tray or even a piece of wood
- absorbent paper - newsprint, manila paper, copy paper or construction paper
- old newspaper
What you do:
1. Cut off an of the rounded and raised edges of the styrofoam trays. You want them to lay flat. Give each child a tray to work with.
2. Have them draw their picture on the tray with the pen, pencil or stylus. The lines need to be deep. And remember if they are writing words everything will print "backwards" so words need to be written backwards and the letters would need to be reversed as well. It's best to avoid words with younger children.
3. While the children are drawing, spread out several layers of newspaper on a table or other flat working surface. Pour a small amount of paint or ink onto the styrofoam print block you just made. Spread it smooth with the brayer so you have an even layer completely coating the styrofoam print block. You can also use a wide paint brush.
4. Quickly lay a clean sheet of paper on top of the inked styrofoam print block and smooth the paper out. Now carefully pull the paper back from one end and lay it out to dry.
Learning Applications & Activities
- Explore other ways of print making. Let the children use a variety of objects to make prints with.
- Re-ink your block in different colors. Try blending colors.
- Explore printmaking through history. Draw Egyptian hieroglyphics or Native American symbols.
- Read a book on printmaking.
- Have the children think of a title for their prints. Frame and hang them.
- Take a field trip to a local painter or print shop.
- Learn how a printing press works.
- Research what Benjamin Franklin had to do with printing.
- Take a field trip to a newspaper office.
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