California Mission Block Prints

Using a small piece of foamboard, a Speedball Hard Rubber Brayer, block printing ink, and some paper and pencils, students have the opportunity to create block prints depicting whatever their hearts desire! In my room, we create mission prints, as this directly relates to our social studies curriculum.

Students first take a sheet of plain paper to draw their chosen mission (remember that when ink is applied, the image will be reversed!). After drawing their mission, the paper is then laid over a piece of foamboard (a small piece of tape on each side will help it stay in place). Using their pencil, students will firmly trace over their missions, making sure that the lines appear in the foamboard. When it has been successfully transferred, the paper will be removed. Next, block printing ink is placed on a piece of thick plastic. Using the hard rubber brayer, ink is spread thin on the plastic. The brayer is then rolled over the students’ foamboard, leaving a layer of ink across the top. The students’ foamboard gets flipped over, placed onto the desired final paper, then pressed down firmly. It works well to have a separate, clean brayer to roll across the top. Take care not to move the foamboard once it’s been placed onto the paper. Carefully remove the foamboard and your final artwork is complete!

As this is a block print, you may make multiple prints for different purposes. We usually make two prints: one to take home, and one to place on a bulletin board (see photos below).