Through printmaking children are introduced to surface exploration. Textures, patterns, colours and shapes interact with and overlay each other as surfaces are built up. The craft of printmaking could be divided into three processes to help plan a series of printing activities for children.
Picture making: Printing and painting are closely related activities. A child may press an object covered in paint or ink onto a surface to make an image and this may then form part of a painting.
Pattern making: Pressing objects onto a surface can be a way of exploring mark-making, colour, texture or pattern.
Replication: A child can use printmaking to create a number of repeated images or patterns, e.g. designs for wallpaper or fabric.
There are two main types of printmaking:
