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MAKING Soap Stamps : A GRAPHIC ARTS CRAFT PROJECT FOR TEENS

Make a stamp out of soap so that you can make duplicate prints. This craft is for older kids and teenagers because cutting and carving are involved.

Make Soap Stamps for Graphic Arts and Printing

CRAFTS MATERIALS NEEDED:

1. Large bar of soap

2. Penknife or other carving tool

3. Block printing ink

4. Ink roller (brayer) and rolling surface

5. Newspapers or magazines

6. Paper

7. Single edge razor blade (Adult Supervision Required)

HOW TO MAKE THEM:

1. Smooth the large, flat surface of your bar of soap. Ask your parents (or another adult) to assist you ... ask them to use a single edge razor blade to scrape away the indented or embossed trademark on the bar of soap.

2. Ask a parent for help and supervision, carve into the background of your design to a depth of about 3/16" so that only the subject matter remains, or carve away the subject matter so that only the background remains. The portions that are carved away will not print; the parts which remain raised will print.

3. Place some ink on the glass rolling surface and roll it out until it is smooth and tacky.

4. When the ink roller (brayer) is evenly coated with ink, roll it over the surface of the soap. Make sure that the roller makes complete revolutions to thoroughly coat the raised surface of the soap.

5. Lay your paper on a pad of newspapers or magazines and print your design. CAUTION: Too heavy a pressure may break the bar of soap

NOTE: This technique is especially suitable for making Christmas cards and bookplates. It may also be used with permanent printing inks or textile paints to print textiles.