How to Make a Simple Potato Print

Want a simple way to make multiple copies of a simple design for borders, cards, fabric designs?

Difficulty Level: easy      Time Required: N/A

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Here's How:

1. You will need a sharp knife, preferably a razor knife, paints or dyes for project and a firm potato.
2. Cut the potato in half, either across or length-wise according to shape of design.
3. Lightly draw the design onto potato using a sharp soft lead pencil.
4. Use the razor knife to outline the design and to cut away portions of design that you don't want to print.
5. Put your paint or dye into a shallow dish.
6. Dip the potato into the paint or dye.
7. Do a test print first to see if more potato should be carved away.
8. Carefully press the potato onto the surface to be printed.
9. Clean potato carefully between color changes.
10. Hang print up to dry completely or process dyed material according to dye instructions.
11. Clean up work area.
    
    

Tips:

1. The cleaner your cut, the sharper the design will be.
2. Other common objects can be used to enhance the print. I've used a pencil eraser dipped in paint to print berries on holly leaves.
3. For fabrics that will be worn use only color fast fabric paint or dye.
   
   

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