Make a Potato Print | MetKids

Follow along and learn how to make a potato print.

Materials:
• potato (cut into thick slices)
• paper
• pencil
• paperclip
• acrylic paint
• paint brush

Instructions:

Design your print

1. Ask an adult to cut a potato into thick slices.
2. On a piece of paper, sketch a design for your potato stamp.
3. Center the design on the paper over the flesh of the cut potato.
4. To transfer the design, use the end of an unbent paperclip to poke holes along the design lines.

Carve the potato

1. Think about what parts of your design you want to receive paint and what parts you don't. Only carve away the parts of the potato's surface that you don’t want to receive paint.
2. Start carving! Use the curved end of the paper clip to carve the potato—the wide side to remove large strips and the narrow side to carve details.

Make your print

1. Pat the potato stamp dry with a paper towel.
2. Use a wet paintbrush to apply the paint to the stamp.
3. Firmly press the stamp onto a piece of paper for about three seconds.
4. Slowly lift the potato from the paper.
5. Repeat to make a pattern.
6. Check out your awesome print!