How to Make Valentine's Day Relief Prints

Personalize your Valentine's greetings with a relief print. You can print a card, the envelope or add small message at the bottom of your declaration of undying love. Don't skimp on the chocolates or roses, but those little personal touches can make all the difference.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Media (paper, envelope)
• Burnishing tool (the rounded end of a spoon will work)
• Styrofoam sheet
• Cover for your work surface
• Ink
• Ink palette or flat plate
• Brayer
• Dull pencil
• Tracing paper

1. Sketch out your ideas on tracing paper. Text is especially important in order to trace onto the Styrofoam; otherwise the letters will print in reverse. Try a number of different Valentine's Day motifs: cupids, hearts, messages like "Be mine."

2. Transfer your images onto the Styrofoam. Turn the tracing paper over and retrace the image ridges with the dull pencil. Remove the paper and continue to deepen the ridges.

3. Pour ink onto the art palette. Squeeze an inch from the tube. Spread the ink evenly across the palette with the brayer.

4. Ink your brayer. Roll smoothly and firmly back and forth in the ink. Check to make sure you have an even coat.

5. Transfer ink to the relief. Coat the surface completely and evenly. Make sure only the ridges are visible. Gently press the paper over the ink.

6. Turn the paper and Styrofoam over and burnish the ink onto the printed page. Make sure to keep them together so the ink doesn't smudge. Rub with the smooth edge of the burnishing tool several times over the entire image area to insure a complete transfer.

7. Peel the Styrofoam gently from the printed image. Your image should appear in the inked area. Let the ink dry completely.

Tips & Warnings

• You can substitute linoleum block prints for Styrofoam
• Use a palette with a slight ridge to prevent the ink from spilling over.
• Use care, tracing with a sharp pencil or stylus can cut the Styrofoam.
• Make sure your work surface is covered to keep it clean and undamaged.

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