How to Print with Leaves

If you do any kind of scrapbooking, card making, art or other work with paper one of the most beautiful ways you can add a pattern to your paper is by printing it with leaves. While you can find plenty of leaf stamps and stencils on the market, nothing beats using an actual leaf from a tree to create a lovely, natural looking leaf print.

The process of printing with leaves is actually quite simple. Here are some tips to get you started.

First, you will need to find a good leaf to use to make your print. During the spring or summer you can pick a fresh leaf from a tree. Later in the year autumn leaves that have fallen to the ground work perfectly. Look for leaves that are sturdy and have a nice, symmetrical shape and are relatively flat rather than curved. Highly textured leaves with larger veins that stand out from the surface work particular well for this project, although really any leaf will do.

Once you have your leaf or leaves, you will need to assemble the rest of your supplies. You will need paper to print on, which can be any paper you would like ranging from tissue paper to cardboard. You'll also need acrylic craft paint in whatever colors you want to use for your printing and a small brush.

Start by turning the leaf over on your work surface so that the back side is facing up. The veins tend to be more textural on the back which helps to give you a more interesting and detailed print.

Paint a layer of acrylic paint onto the leaf using your small paintbrush. Use enough paint to cover the back of the leaf but no so much that it gets goopy or pools.

Now, quickly, before the paint has time to dry on the leaf, turn it over, bring it straight down onto the surface of your paper and press it down to create the print. Remove it and you should be left with a beautiful, natural looking leaf print on your paper. You can decorate around this print, add more leaf prints, cut it out and attach it to another piece of paper or anything else you can think of.

As long as you are gentle with them, each leaf can be used more than once for printing. Have fun with this project!