Handmade Foam Stamps and Printing Plates

Ever wonder how to create your own printing plates for printmaking? What about designing unique foam stamps? If so, I have just the tutorial, for you!

Learn how to make your own stamps in under 5 minutes with BASIC supplies. Seriously, you probably have these things around the house...somewhere.

Unleash your creativity by adding layers of patterns and textures to your art!
(The full tutorial has been published over on the Creating Mixed Media Art website.)

Handmade Foam Stamps and Printing Plates

Basic supplies you will need: 
• a sturdy backing, like cardboard
• scissors
• craft foam (you can get this at your local craft supply store; I purchased mine from a Dollar Tree.
  A package of 20 sheets for $1!)

After working through this new tutorial, you will have created one-of-a-kind collage backgrounds using handmade foam stamps and printing them on delicate surfaces and baby wipes. (Yup, baby wipes...clean ones only ;-)

Handmade Foam Stamps & Printing Plates | full tutorial RIGHT HERE 

Super Hand-carved Stamp collection

These are some of my recent, hand-carved stamps. Most were created during the printmaking challenge that I had in July. The other ones were carved during my own, personal time.

Carving really isn't that hard at all. Besides a basic carving kit + paper, all you need is patience mixed with enthusiasm + you're well on your way!

Now, I want to take you through my process of carving out the large flower stamp. (I guess this is kinda like a tutorial, BUT I'll be sharing workflow tips + a general step-by-step.)

As you can see here, I've started the flower stamp without taking the initial photo! Ooops! The second piece of rubber on the right side of this photo is my alternating chevron stamp. The first step is to transfer your design to the rubber/linoleum. (The black pen marks are the parts that'll be carved away.)

DO NOT try to carve small details first! You'll only be working against yourself. Instead, carve away larger areas FIRST.

 

Once your design is carved out, cut the larger portion of the rubber block. Keep this piece to make smaller stamps!

 Now, we're ready to load the stamp with ink...but wait - let's admire our handiwork, first....*sigh* Isn't she lovely?! Ok, back to business!

I'm using an old phone book as my "inking plate". Roll out some water-soluble, block printing ink. The consistency should be very smooth. This basic stamp carving kit has everything you need.

The ink is distributed evenly across the entire surface of the stamp. Does yours look like this? If not, take your brayer and roll off the excess paint, then apply excess paint to a piece of scrap paper.

Time for a test print! Burnish (or gently apply pressure) to the back of the stamp.

My rubber stamp is pretty thick in size (half an inch), so, I'm able to lift it and stamp it onto a piece of scrap paper with a fair amount of ease. Another option is to mount the stamp onto a block of wood, for easier handling.

What a beautiful impression! This test print is helpful when determining what areas I need to carve away. I think the center area needs a little more attention...carve more hairy lines and it's a wrap!

So, there you have it! Not too bad, right?

Now, I'll need to figure out what projects to create with my *brand new* large flower stamp.

Comment below to leave me your suggestions!

SHOP THIS TUTORIAL:

** BASIC STAMP CARVING KIT **

** PRINTMAKING PAPER **

Printmaking Unleashed: Catch up #1!

Hello creative visionaries!!

If you've been following me on my Facebook Art page, you've noticed that I posted days 15-21 (with the exception of days 4 & 16) without links to the corresponding blog posts.

Why have I done that?!
Well, the answer is simple: because I thought I was gonna have some time to write a nice, juicy blog post for each prompt...however, I received some GREAT news concerning my art biz and haven't been able to stay on track, as planned. (Details about the exciting news will be shared in another post, so stay tuned, OK?)


So, today, I will give you a synopsis of the creative prompts, along a short description. Nothing in-depth like the previous ones, but still something to keep your interest.

I hope you enjoy what I've created! Let me know what you think, down in the comment box.

***** I've included a complete list of all the Printmaking Unleashed prompts that I've completed, at the end of this post. *****

By the way, there's still time to follow along, if you wish :)

Off we go!

Day 15 of 31: Black & white art

This is an actual print I created during my undergraduate studies as a printmaker.

I absolutely fell in love with this particular printmaking process! It was very therapeutic for me because the process is sooo repetitive and demanded my full attention. The technique used here is called a "hardground intaglio etching". (The word intaglio is pronounced as 'in-tally-oh')

Intaglio hardground etching, titled "Lyrical Dawn"

You probably would have never thought that "Lyrical Dawn" came from a place of mental anguish and pain, within me.

Not too long before I created this, my Grand Mama V had made her transition into Heaven. I have healed from this, only by the grace of God. He truly is a Comforter for those who are comfortless...

To make a long story short, the concept behind this is about being entrapped, with the only means to escape being in journey of forgiveness and trusting in God.

Day 16: Stencil Print 

I created this postcard for a tutorial called "Packing Tape Postcard". The flower stencil is from Artistcellar's new Pocket Stencils. Isn't it pretty?

*side note: this project has been entered in the New Friday Chevron challenge

Day 17: Free Motion Stitch

::"Dreaming":: Breathing new life into a pile of baby wipes I used to wipe up paint. Watercolor, acrylic paint, cardboard and machine stitching.

close up of cloud and thread. You can also see hand-drawn stars (blue marker)

This is what the back looks like! I thought it looked very interesting with its natural earth tone colors. Looks completely different than the front, don't you think?

Day 18: Acrylic Skin

I applied some pink and white acrylic paints onto a plastic sheet and smooshed them together, let dry and peeled them off. I LOVE the marbled look and the unevenness of the texture!

Day 19: Collage  

Using a variety of my handmade stamps, I played around with patterns and complementary color schemes. 

a collage of vintage and notebook  papers, stamped with unique designs. A leaf shape, ornamental shape inspired by Moroccan textiles, arrows, plants and my graffiti script, all combined to create a visual feast of pattern, color and texture!

Day 20: Foam Stamp

a collection of my new foam stamps; fun, fun, fun! Less time consuming to create these compared to carving the rubber block ones.

*** Here's a list of my completed Printmaking Unleashed prompts, as of July 27th ***

Day 1: Found Printing Tools
Day 2: Monoprint
Day 3: Hot Glue Stencil
Day 4: Cardboard Stamp...coming soon!
Day 5: Flower Print
Day 6: Carved Stamp

Day 7: Color Palette
Day 8: Studio Table
Day 9: Art Journal
Day 10: Brayer
Day 11: Pattern

Day 12: Collagraph
Day 13: Doodle
Day 14: Printing Plate...coming soon!