How To Make Simple Reverse Prints Using Blu Tack

3 Materials
$2
30 Minutes
Easy

We show you how to make simple, gorgeous reverse prints using Blu Tack. Reverse prints are perfect for use as greeting cards and home décor.


What is a reverse print?


A reverse print is a printing technique where ink is applied to the area surrounding the images, rather than the image itself. Often used on glass, the resulting print exposes the material it is printed onto as the image while the background is inked out.

To reverse print using Blu Tack you will need

  • Blu Tack
  • Ink
  • Something to make the print impression
  • Paper or Blank Cards

I used a couple of pretty Indian woodblock stamps to make my reverse print stamp, but you can use anything firm enough to push into the Blu tack and leave an imprint.


How to make simple reverse prints using Blu Tack

I used two packets of Blu Tack to make my reverse print stamp. 

To begin, I moulded the two pieces of Blu Tack together, then rolled them out into a circular shape.


I used my stamps to imprint into the Blu Tack, before peeling the Blu Tack away to expose the reverse print pattern.

I used an ink pad to ink up my Blu Tack stamp. If you don’t have an ink pad use a make-up sponge or similar to apply ink or paint instead.


Press the paper or card down on to the inked stamp and rub across its surface. If you are making cards ensure you are printing the right way up – I managed to get mine the wrong way around above!


Peel back the card to reveal your print.


Making a reverse print really is as simple as it looks.


I love the look of these reverse print; it reminds me of lino printing and is an excellent way of getting a different look from woodblock stamps. This time we used all our prints for cards but I also think they'd look super cute popped in a frame and hung in a nursery.


For more printing inspiration, check out my washable home-made fabric paint, or for something completely different, my making eco prints with a steamer tutorial.


Resources for this project:
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Frequently asked questions
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  3 questions
  • Mary F Mary F on Nov 04, 2019

    What is blue tac

  • Virginia Virginia on Nov 04, 2019

    What are you peeling the blutack away from? Aren't you pulling the stamp away from the blutack? Or is it so sticky that the stamp doesn't pull away,unlike stamping designs on Christmas cookies.

  • Dana Marshall Postil Dana Marshall Postil on Nov 06, 2019

    After you use the blu tack with the imprint and ink on it just one time, won't that be all it's good for? Wouldn't it flatten the blu tack out by pressing the card onto it to get the imprint, therefore making it useless after using it one time? I'd love to do this, so I hope I'm wrong...

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