Collagraph – Creating with Cardboard

Cardboard. Inexpensive, plentiful and for some reason, fascinating for every child…ever. As we turn to the internet for our daily needs, boxes are bound to take over our kitchens and recycling bins. Gather your materials and save your cardboard (and sanity): Here is a creative way to transform this commonplace material into something beautiful.

Collagraph

Explore texture and printmaking with just a few materials.

1. Collect recycled materials from around your house. Glue down a variety of materials (and textures) to a piece of cardboard. We love to use bubble wrap, thick yarn and bumpy/smooth papers. Think about creating a collage!

2. Once you’ve glued down your collage pieces to a piece of cardboard, add a small amount of paint to a tray and lightly cover your roller. Try covering your collage pieces only. This will keep the paint on the higher surfaces!

3. With a clean roller (or your hand), place a piece of paper on top of your cardboard collage and press down firmly. The paint will transfer to your piece of paper and create a print!