This is a fun and quick tutorial on how to make your own DIY stamps for printmaking or any other art, like art journaling or to use for sketchbooks,
Making your own stamps is very versatile because you can make all sorts without having to spend loads of money on buying stamps instead. Plus you can make whatever style stamps you want!
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Not many materials are needed for this, but make sure to stock up on some cardboard boxes as we will need them for the base of our stamps.
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art supplies
Starting off you will need some self-adhesive foam. I got these colored foam sheets that are used in kid’s crafts. They work really well and you don’t have to be messing around with glue.
Next you will need come cut out card from cardboard boxed, because it’s the most sturdy. Cut different shapes and sizes to fit your intended look.
I used a gelli plate for this type of printmaking. With a gelli plate, you will have a lot more options in terms of creativity and layering, but if you don’t have one, you can just print onto paper.
You will need some paint, any grade paint is good for this but if you want to use the gelli plate with it then my favourite is to use the Liquitex Basic Acrylic as they aren’t too thick and expensive but yet very good quality paint.
Last thing you will need, other than paper, is a cutting tool. My favourite tool to use is the gyro cut, it’s like a pencil but cuts like a knife. Super easy to use but a normal craft cutting tool will also work.
Any type of paper will work for this. I’m just using normal copy paper that’s used for printing.
Tutorial
1. Start off with your foam sheets and draw out all the shapes you want on there. I’ve just gone for little brick style shapes for this demo.
2. Cut out all the little shapes and place them how you want onto your cardboard paper. As you can see below, I went for small to long shapes to give it some variation.
3. Roll out some paint onto your gelli plate evenly. I chose a strong blue color to start out with.
4. Next, ‘stamp’ your DIY stamp all over the gelli plate while it’s still wet to make the marks for the print. Press down firmly onto your stamp for the shape to stay on the plate.
5. Put some paper onto the gelli plate and push your hand all over the paper for it to absorb the paint evenly on the paper. Let it sit for a minute before your pull off the paper gently.
As you can see, it has left a lovely brick print onto the paper!
6. Next, I decided to roll paint onto the actual stamp instead of the gelli plate. This will just give it another look and make a versatile print.
7. One you have some paint on your stamp, press your stamp onto the gelli plate and make marks with it all over the plate. I overlapped on some of the stamped areas to not give it a rigid look.
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8. For this next step, you have to make sure the paint is completely dry before you do anything else. Once the paint is dry on the plate, roll on some more paint on top of the stamped gelli plate. I choose a green color.
9. Once you have rolled on some paint, put another piece of paper on top, rub all over and leave it for a minute before you pull off. Once you have pulled off, you will be left with a lovely double layer print!
With just some paint, foam sheets and paper, you can create lovely DIY brick prints that can be used for all types of things like collage, art journaling and sketchbooks. This is a quick and fun way to create textured stamps for any project.
These stamps can be used over and over again for different things, not just on a gelli plate. Make your own block prints by just stamping on to regular paper or cards. So many possibilities!
If you liked this post, be sure to check out our other mixed media art and printmaking posts below!
5 Easy Printmaking Techniques With Yarn
Mixed Media Collage Art: Easy Flowers
Art Journal Aesthetic: 21 Creative Ideas To Inspire You
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