Description

Printing foam is used in printmaking to create relief prints. It is a soft board 3mm thick that is engraved into or embossed with an image of your choice. You then use it as a block printing plate.

It acts as an easy-to-carve, safe, and inexpensive “plate” or “block”—similar to woodcut or linoleum—great for beginners, children, and artists looking to create quick prints.

Key Uses for Printing Foam:

• Relief Printing:  Draw into the foam with a pencil or blunt tool to create indentations. Apply ink with a roller (brayer), leaving the sunken lines free of ink, which then appear as the paper colour when pressed.
• Stamping and Pattern Making: Cut small pieces of foam and use as custom stamps for repeating patterns.
• Educational Projects: Great for school art projects.
• Mixed Media:  Incorporate foam prints into collage or use on various surfaces

Techniques:

• Inking: Use printmaking inks or acrylic paints.
• Transfer:  Transfer the ink by pressing paper onto the inked foam by hand (using a baren or just rubbing with hands). This eliminates the need for a printing press.
• Cleaning: Clean the foam block with water and reuse.