Dare to Make It: Holiday

Make It: Potato Printed Giftwrap

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kayte terry, contributor

17 users recommend

Pretty yarn makes a perfect ribbon for this crafty wrap!

Kayte Terry

Cut your wrapping paper scraps into little gift tags for your gift boxes.

Kayte Terry

Sponge brushes are best for applying ink because they won't show any brushstrokes.

Kayte Terry

Pretty yarn makes a perfect ribbon for this crafty wrap!

Photo: Kayte Terry

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You might think potato printing is strictly for kindergarten art class, but potatoes are a fantastic material for printing simple, graphic designs.

Learn how to make pretty printed papers and you never have to shell out for expensive wrapping paper again. By the way, potato printing also looks great on cards, tags, and gift bags, too!

What you'll need:

• Several potatoes
• Sharp knife
• Paper towel
• Sharpie
• Linoleum cutter
• Screen-printing ink
• Sponge brush
• Kraft paper

1. Cut a potato in half lengthwise, and blot any moisture off the potato with a paper towel.

2. Draw your design on the potato with a Sharpie. Cut around the shape with a linoleum cutter. Remember always to cut away from yourself with these tools because they are very sharp! Blot again with a paper towel.

Simple shapes make the best potato prints.

Cut your designs carefully, as linoleum cutters are very sharp.

3. Squeeze some screen-printing ink out of the tube onto a plate or into a bowl. Use a sponge brush to daub the potato just on the raised part, the part that is your design.

Sponge brushes are best for applying ink because they don't show any brushstrokes.

4. Roll out a piece of kraft paper on a flat, clean surface, and use cans or another heavy object to keep the kraft paper flat. Decide what kind of design you want to make. You might want to test your design on a scrap sheet of paper first.

Simple designs make graphic statements in repetitions.

5. Press the inked side of the potato down flat on the paper, press gently, and lift. Reapply ink every time you print. If you need to change the ink color, simply wash the potato in the sink and blot dry.

6. Allow the print to dry.

7. Store it rolled up as you would any other wrapping paper.

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Comments (7)

NanRo writes: I made a heart-shaped stamp out of a potato to stamp plain brown shopping bags. I use them at craft shows when people buy my creations. There it is on the left!
Posted: 11:11 am on November 20th

Quinettai writes: There is another veggie stamper. If you like flowers ,use a Celery Stalk ;Cut with a knife If you are a child have your mom or dad to help you for safety. cut 2-inches from the end of stalk. press a paper towel to remove dampness. Press in paint color of your chose and press on craft paper let dry over night to dry completely.
This is what you will need: 1.Size knife for stalk
2.Celery Stalk
3.Craft Paint
4.Paper Towel
5.Craft Paper
6.If you are a child have a parent with you.
This is a craft for mom and dad too. Have fun making your own gift wrapping Paper.You can use butchers paper from your favorite market.
Posted: 8:32 pm on October 22nd

catplus writes: I've done this for the past several years, but instead of using heavy paper and printing ink, I've used white tissue paper and an red or black ink pad. It's really pretty, but you have to use a lot of layers to hide the gift adequately. This year, I'm going to try it your way. Thanks!
Posted: 11:50 am on September 28th

isnessofwhatis writes: I'm going to use this idea to make some of my own printed fabric!
Posted: 11:59 pm on July 15th

LunarFaith writes: love this - awesome Kayte
Posted: 3:37 am on October 14th

glittergrandma writes: Very nice , also fun to do with children or at an adult crafting party.
Posted: 6:09 pm on March 20th

Deana writes: So fun! Thanks Kayte. I have always wanted to try this!
Posted: 1:05 pm on December 4th

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