How to Make Leaf Prints With Leaves

Leaf prints are a good craft year-round.

Autumn is the season most commonly associated with leaves as they change color and fall. However, leaf prints are a simple craft you can create year-round. You only need a few inexpensive supplies from the craft store and some leaves from your backyard to get started. Young crafters can create leaf prints without much help from an adult.

Things You'll Need

• Leaves
• Paint
• Foam brush
• Item to print on such as a canvas, t-shirt, breakfast tray or blank card

Instructions

1. Hold the very end of the leaf's stem and paint the back of the leaf using a foam brush. The back of the leaf will give you better definition of the veins in the leaf than the front will. Use a light coat of paint on the leaf to keep the print crisp.

2. Press the leaf onto the item you want the print to appear on. Place the leaf on the item, paint side down, and press firmly and evenly on the leaf with the palm of your hand. Be careful not to move the leaf as this may cause the print to smudge.

3. Lift the leaf gently from the item, pulling it straight up to prevent smudging. Repeat this process as many times as you like with as many different types of leaves as you like.

4. Allow the print to dry completely before hanging, wearing or otherwise using the item. The paint will typically take at least a couple hours to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Use acrylic paint for items made of wood, pottery, paper and canvases. Use fabric paint for any fabric items such as shirts and totes.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish