styrofoam printmaking tutorial

It's easy to make a print from a styrofoam plate or meat tray.

Start by drawing a simple design on the styrofoam with a ball

point pen. Impress the design just hard enough to make an indentation 

without going through the styrofoam.

Next roll out some printing ink (or acrylic paint) on a tray. If you don't 

have a breyer you can roll the ink or paint with a small sponge paint roller. 

Roll out a thin layer of ink (or paint) over the styrofoam.  Notice the ink
lays just on top and doesn't flow into the grooves of the drawing.

Lay down your roller or breyer (on its back not resting on the roller) and
carefully lay a piece of paper over your inked design. Use the back of a spoon
or your fingertips to rub in circles over the whole design. (This ensures that
all inked areas of the design are transferred cleanly to the paper)

Carefully peel the design off of the styrofoam plate and voila! you have made your
first print.  Repeat the process as many times as you wish.  Be sure to clean off
your plate so that later prints will not be clogged with dried ink or paint.

Good luck and happy printing!
I love comments and sharing.  I have lots of different ideas if you have questions about
other printmaking projects!