These cheerful butterfly prints start with a simple Styrofoam plate and a free template. Two printmaking options mean you already have what you need to get started today!
How to make a butterfly printing plate….
The backbone of this project is the printing plate. A seven inch (dessert size) plate works perfectly with these free templates. These butterfly silhouettes will perfectly fill the flat surface of a plate this size. Of course if you have bigger plates or even Styrofoam deli trays they will work too but will create slightly more waste.
If you’re worried about the waste of styrofoam in this butterfly printmaking project I invite you to think of “upcycling some of these little plates. Often plates like these are used at parties and hold no more than crackers or a cookie. A quick wipe with a wet rag would render them totally ready for printmaking!
Trace the template and cut out the butterfly shape- quick and easy.
Get the butterfly template….
Do you want a copy of all three blank butterfly templates for your kids to use in this printmaking project? These beauties are free – just for Kitchen Table Classroom subscribers.
Use the form below to become a KTC subscriber. Then check your email and confirm that you really meant to subscribe. Upon confirmation you’ll receive the PDF immediately.
As a subscriber you’ll also begin to receive my weekly newsletter with my best projects and free resources to use in your home and classroom!
What if you’re already a KTC subscriber…
If you are already a subscriber- thank you! I’m so glad you’re along for the ride! You can still go through this same simple process to grab these printable butterfly templates. It’s a quick and easy way to grab your free download! You won’t be sent duplicate emails- I promise.
After you become a KTC subscriber you’ll also receive a password to my Free Resource Library where you can browse all the free printables! (I’m talking hundreds of free pages!)
Start your butterfly print….
Now is the time to add some personality to your butterfly silhouette. Use a dull pencil to carve designs into your butterfly printing plate. This is a great time to talk about the idea of symmetry. Check out this post for a more complete run down on the concept of symmetry plus a free printable handout.
Look at pictures of butterflies whether online or in books and notice the types of shapes and patterns that are common in butterflies.
Butterfly print option #1, marker prints….
Marker prints are a super easy, instant gratification, you already have all the supplies kind of printmaking. You’ve already got the printing plate ready. Use washable markers, think Crayola, Color the raised areas of your Styrofoam plate. Use a damp paper towel to slightly dampen a piece of white paper. Press damp paper on top of printing plate. The water on the paper will help the marker transfer from the printing plate to the paper leaving behind a butterfly print that is bright and beautiful and a printing plate that can be used over and over.
Butterfly print option number two….
Creating a colorful background is optional for this printmaking method but it’s an easy way to make a print made with plain black ink really “pop.” This background was made by coloring patches of color with oil pastels Any bright paper will give your butterfly print something to contrast against!Use a printmaking brayer (that’s fancy for roller) to roll your printing plate with black printing ink. I would imagine you could use black paint for this step too but I have not tried it. Smooth it all over with the pads of your fingers or the back of a spoon.
Peel the paper back to reveal a bold butterfly print. Ink your plate and print again and again.
Check out this post to see how this printmaking method can be used another way!
Finishing touches for your butterfly print….
Cut these pretty little butterfly prints out, layer them, create a background for them. I can imagine a huge installment of these butterfly prints fluttering down a hallway or gracing a window! What a bright and cheerful sight that would be!
These are so fun and cheerful! Thanks for the great idea!
We all need some extra cheer! Thank you Emily!
I have used this method with Styrofoam meat trays to print on fabric too. A fun project for kids could be to apply crayons made for coloring on fabric to a white t-shirt and then stamping their butterflies over that with textile paint (or acrylic paint mixed with a fabric medium) for unique t-shirts they can wear.
I LOVE that idea Helene! Thanks for sharing!
what lovely ideas so simple but very effective and easy to do thank you
Thank you! 🙂