This ‘how to’ guide will show you how to use potato printing, an easy and fun method for creating simple and repeatable designs, to create wrapping paper for your presents! A fun way to get your whole family involved with art this Christmas.

Materials:

Potatoes (new or slightly older work well)

Sharp knife or scalpel (adult supervision required)

Cookie cutters (optional, for simple shapes)

Paper towels

Paint (acrylic paint is suitable for paper; use fabric paint for printing on textiles)

Paintbrush or a small roller (brayer)

Surface to print on (paper, fabric, cards, etc.)

Steps:

Prepare the potato: Slice the potato in half to create a flat printing surface. Pat the surface dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture, which helps the paint adhere better.

Create your design:

Whatever you can think of! Be creative and christmassy.

Carving:

Draw your design onto the cut surface with a pencil. Carefully carve around the design with a knife, cutting away the excess potato so that your design stands out in relief.

Cookie Cutter (Optional):

Instead of carving you can press a cookie cutter firmly into the potato half. Cut away the potato around the cutter's edge and remove the stamp from the cutter.

Apply Paint:

Spread a thin layer of paint on a plate or a flat palette. Dab the potato stamp into the paint, ensuring an even, thin coat. Avoid overloading it with paint.

Stamp the surface: Press the painted potato firmly onto your paper or fabric, applying even pressure. Lift the stamp straight up to reveal your print.

Repeat:

Reapply paint to the stamp for each print to maintain consistency. Continue stamping to create patterns on your chosen surface.

Let it dry:

Leave it to dry for a few hours and you have your final piece ready to wrap with.