1. Letter Design
Printmaking

2. Student Example

3. Student Example

4. Student Example

5. Draw the letters on Color Construction paper
Select a different font for each character
Pick another character (letter, number, symbol)
If you have two initials OR
If you have double letters (optional)
You may have 3-5 characters total
Carefully draw out each letter, make
some thin, medium, thick (scale)

6. Cut the Letters & Arrange
Cut the letters out carefully
Draw 2 - 4”x6” boxes (templates) in your sketchbook
Arrange the letters on the template
use overlap to create interesting negative space
Trace your two best ideas

7. Rough Draft
Create 2 - 4” x 6” rough drafts. Trace the template in your sketchbook two times on the same page.
Draw the letters for the initials of your name on colored construction paper. Select a different font for each character.
If you only have two initials OR there are doubles, pick another character (letter, number, symbol).
You may have 3-5 characters.
Cut the letters. Arrange the letters over the template using overlap to create interesting negative space. Trace your two best ideas.
Decide if you want the negative or positive areas to be pop out or receed. Then add patterns or designs to the non-cutouts areas.

8. Rough Draft

9. Add Design & Pattern
Decide if you want the negative or positive areas to be cut out. Then add patterns or designs to the non-cutouts areas.

10. Transfer your design to the block
Printmaking needs a reverse image (mirror image). If your idea must be seen a certain way you must flip the drawing before you start, including words.
Transfer the design using tracing paper. Trace your design. Flip paper over (blank side) and rub pencil evenly (graphite) over all drawn lines.
Mark out cutting lines with sharpie or ball point pen.

11. How to Transfer the Design
Trace the design from your sketchbook.
Retrace in pen or sharpie (Front side) so design is easy to see.
Rub pencil (graphite) evenly over all originally drawn lines.
Flip to back side (pencil side down) to transfer design on block.
Original – Front side add Pencil rubbing Back side on block