How to Print Placemats

Use apple and pear "stamps" to print your own placemats.

Create your own printed placemats for the dining table with some supplies found around the kitchen. Create sets of eight placemats for gifts--the same technique can be used to print matching napkins. Use this method for printing fabric or paper placemats and napkins. Black linen placemats and napkins with silver or gold printing will provide an elegant and sophisticated look. Plain white paper placemats and napkins will benefit from some brightly colored paint prints.

Things You'll Need

• Placemats
• Apple
• Pear
• Sharp knife
• Paper towels
• Acrylic fabric paint
• Foam paint brush
• Newspaper
• Plain white paper
• Iron

Instructions

1. Cut the apple and pear in half horizontally, from stem to base. Blot the halves with the paper towels to remove excess moisture.

2. Apply the paint with the foam brush to the inside of the cut apple, which will be used as the printing "stamp."

3. Practice printing the apple stamp on the newspaper, carefully lifting the apple after application.

4. Print a row of cut apple "stamps" across the bottom of the placemats.

5. Cut the pear in half and blot with the paper towel. Practice stamping on the newspaper and print a row of cut pear "stamps" across the top of the placemats.

6. Print matching napkins with one apple or pear stamp.

7. Heat set prints on fabric placemats and napkins by placing plain paper over the printed images and ironing for two minutes.

References

• DLTK's Growing Together: Apples and Johnny Appleseed Crafts and Coloring