Palatable Printmaking DIY

To stay somewhat on our harvest trail, I block printed small gratitude journals with expired produce we inherited from my husband’s job as a photo producer for a culinary company. Here are the supplies you need to create your journal:

• Journal with blank cover

• Brayer (optional)

• Block printing ink

• Food scraps - This is why I call the project Palatable Printmaking

• Ink bench, glass sheets, newspaper (optional)

• Carving tools / knife / spoon / fork (optional)

• Scratch / scrap paper (optional)

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1. Gather your supplies.

   Honestly, you should have most of these items around your home. If you don’t, there are so many easy substitutions to be made. I get my journals for Foreignspell and any printmaking projects from Scout Books because their company ethos is smack dab aligned with mine. OR if you’re like me, it’s likely you have about a thousand journals lying around that could use a fresh, new cover. No journal? Fold a stack of printer paper in half and staple it. Same goes for the college-ruled paper you haven’t trashed since school. No brayer? You got any spare paint brushes or foam rollers? It also works to simply press your fruit or veggie into your color source like any old stamp. Speaking of ink: I’m hella pro, so I have a rainbow of block printing ink colors. While this is tied in quality with whatever acrylic / oil / tempera paint you’ve got lying around, a standard stamp pad you would use with a rubber stamp works just fine! With thicker ink, you get a more saturated and full image. With a stamp pad, your image will have more texture and less opacity. Both are beautiful! For my stamps, I used an apple that was soft and small, 2 partially moldy pomegranates and a poor 1/2 cucumber who got lost in the back of our fridge. If you have them on hand, my favorite star of the show in Palatable Printmaking is the humble potato. You can carve texture into those babies like nobody’s business. Broccoli florets are fun in creating forests. Strawberries make lovely hearts. You can also get abstract about it! The produce is your oyster! Note: do not try using oysters.

2. Cut and carve your fruits and vegetables.

   I suggest doing this step first as it gives time for whatever moisture they’re holding onto to escape a bit. The drier your produce, the better the ink will adhere. ALTHOUGH! Sometimes it adds a nice watercolor quality to the print if it retains some moisture. You simply can’t go wrong.

3. Roll out or choose your ink colors.

   You want to do this right before you’re ready to start printing so your ink doesn’t dry out. If you get distracted between steps you can add a little water to revive the paint.

4. Ink your stamp.

   Add a nice layer of ink to your brayer, paint brush, foam roller, etc. and place an even coat on the surface of your produce that you will be pressing to the paper. If you are using a stamp pad, either press the produce to the stamp or vice versa, making sure to cover the surface entirely. NOTE: You probably realize this already as it is common sense, but just in case - please be aware that if you use a stamp pad it could get damaged by the organic quality of the produce. I recommend using a stamp pad on its way out.

5. Stamp a test print & adjust.

   Use some scrap paper to test out your shape and make any adjustments based on the first print. I kinda just went for it with my pomegranates and they looked nothing like I thought they would. That part of the process can be fun though! It’s a good exercise in letting go of control and perfection. Feel free to skip this step! Totally up to you.

6. Press your produce to your journal cover.

   Simple as that! Press the inked side of your fruit or vegetable to the cover of your journal. Be sure to apply even, consistent pressure. Remove your stamp carefully, but decisively to ensure the sharpest print possible.

7. Leave to dry.

   Find a safe place where no cats or children or heavy wind will disturb your journals as they dry.

8. Clean up.

   If you used tempera paint, I believe you can compost your produce waste as is. Otherwise, give your fruits and vegetables a quick wash before disposing of them.

9. Add embellishments!

   This step is totally optional. I am going to leave my journals as is. When I first started mulling over this project, I had plans to write an affirmation or quote about gratitude on the front over my prints. I just love how perfect they feel right now. I realized I didn’t print anything on the back, so I will probably add a phrase of sorts there. Get creative! Add stickers. Use pre-made rubber stamps. Bedazzle! Make your journals a happy place.

10. Give thanks.

    It’s important to express gratitude in myriad ways each day. Writing about what I’m thankful for is part of my nightly ritual. I keep a small notebook and pen on my bedside table and fill it out with whatever pops in my mind from earlier that day. It’s an incredible practice. It brings awareness to activities and emotions you may have otherwise missed being grateful for in the past. Be sure to give yourself thanks for setting aside time to be creative. Days go by so fast and I know we all have a seemingly endless to-do list. Bringing play, color and newness into our lives will help us cultivate resilience and avoid burnout. Intellectual stimulation through creative endeavors is an essential part of establishing a balanced well-being practice.

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What did you learn during your Palatable Printmaking? What would you do differently next time? Is there someone you know who would benefit from this project? Any questions for us?

I learned, once again, to approach my creations and creative process with less judgment. I always start projects with a very specific - probably too specific - vision. When things don’t end up looking exactly as I hoped, I have the tendency to judge myself and hate my work. I’m learning to find beauty and joy in the process above-all. I will likely never be careless about my final piece, but now I can revel in the perceived imperfections and consider it a success. JUST LIKE LIFE, AMIRITE? I am.

If you have just fallen in love with block printing, welcome to the club! I fell so hard I made it my life’s work. If you want any guidance on my favorite supplies or recommendations, we would love to hear from you.

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Thank you,

🌞 Niki

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