Printmaking for kids, Seasonal art for kids

How to Make Handmade Christmas Cards with Styrofoam Printing

December 14, 2022

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Try making handmade Christmas cards with styrofoam printing with kids. This simple printmaking activity yields print after print and is fun for kids of all ages.

Updated November 2022

We love making our own Christmas cards! We’ve tried using washi tape, and painting with watercolors. This time we tried printing with styrofoam.

The kids had fun drawing out designs and then making prints with them! They are so proud to send these as Christmas cards.

Here’s a video showing Styrofoam Printing in action! And don’t forget to keep scrolling for step-by-step instructions on how to use this fun technique to make festive Christmas cards.

christmas card printing pin — Photo by Rachel Withers

Handmade Christmas Cards with Styrofoam Printing

MATERIALS

Thin paper, such as copy paper, for the initial drawing
Pencil
Styrofoam (we used pieces cut out from the bottom of meat trays, but you can also buy styrofoam sheets specifically for printmaking)
Water-based printing ink
An acrylic box frame or a plate (for spreading ink)
A hard rubber brayer
White paper (we used watercolor paper this time but often use a smoother paper such as sulphite paper)
Spoon

INSTRUCTIONS

Draw design on paper
To begin, cut your thin paper to be the same size as the piece of styrofoam you’ll print with.

Then, draw a picture on the thin paper. This step is optional, but it means you can draw a few different designs before choosing which one you want to print. It also makes it easier for younger children to transfer their image to the styrofoam.
Trace drawing
Hold the drawing in place over the piece of styrofoam and trace the drawing with a pencil. You can also use the pointy end of a paint brush, a chopstick or something similar. Press down firmly, but evenly while tracing the image.
Ink the brayer
Squeeze some ink onto the plexi frame and spread it around with the brayer. Once the brayer is coated with an even layer of ink, roll it over your styrofoam drawing.
Print the design on paper
Position the styrofoam on top of the paper or card and use a spoon to rub over the paper to help transfer the design.
Let dry
Either lay your prints out to dry or hang them using clothespins.