HAND PRINT INSTRUCTIONS
(Please see privacy policy below)

The following materials are needed to make a good hand print They can be purchased at any arts and crafts supply, and many stationary stores. The cost for all is $10-$20. If you are unable to obtain these materials yourself, we can send them to you at cost plus shipping. It is really easy to make a good print. The process takes only a few minutes.

You will need:
1. Several sheets of white cover stock (heavy paper).
2. A small tube of black, water-soluble block printing ink. Speedball is the most available brand. (Note: if they are out of black then choose the next darkest color available).
3. A soft block printing “brayer”. The most available brand is Speedball. The model we use has a burgundy handle, the rubber used on the brayer is smooth, firm, but not hard. You can use any size from 2”-31/2’’ (Speedball model numbers 4171-4174), hands that are small or hollow in the center are better served by the smaller brayers- if they are available. Be sure the brayer is one of the soft models (the models listed are all soft brayers). You want to avoid the hard clear plastic, and very soft spongy brayers sometimes merchandised next to the water-soluble block printing inks.
4. A linoleum block or sheet for block printing. Try to find one that is at least 5” X 7”. Bigger is better. If you can find them, the burlap backed linoleum sheets are considerably better. Use either the 6” X 9” or 9” X 10” size.

It is helpful to have a sample in front of you while you do this. Press here to print out sample hand prints Begin by squeezing a small quantity of ink onto the pad. Start with a dab the size of a couple of chocolate chips – you can always add more later. Use your brayer to roll the ink out evenly on the pad. When the brayer has an even shiny coating then you are ready to apply the ink to your hands. If the brayer is too dry your hands will absorb most of the ink, leaving little for printing. If the brayer is too wet the ink will bubble on the brayer (orange peel effect), and the print will lack detail, and look blotchy . 

Roll the ink onto one hand at a time. Start at the bottom of the hand, rolling the ink up and over the fingerprints. Do not roll the brayer across the hand. Continue rolling the ink until the entire surface of the hand has a nice even shinny coat. Make sure to roll in between fingers and around the thumb so as much surface area prints as possible. Place your hand on the center of your paper – be sure to leave room at the top for your fingerprints. 

With your other hand, press firmly on all parts of the back of your hand. (This is much easier if someone else can help you.) Lift the paper up by letting it stick to your hand. Peel the print from your hand beginning with the bottom. The fingerprints peel off last. Use the remaining ink on your hand to make another print. When you are finished you will have two complete sets of prints for each hand. This process will give you a good print of your hands, but will not provide enough detail on your fingerprints. After you have two complete prints for both hands, then it is time to add the fingerprints at the top of each finger. Look at the example first. Try some test prints on a separate piece of paper before you try to place your fingerprints on those nice prints you just created!

Begin by rolling a light coating of ink onto the ends of the fingers. Start the roller at the base of the finger to give the ink a chance to even out before it gets to the fingerprint. Make sure you keep rolling the ink until the sides of the fingerprint are covered also. Make sure the entire fingerprint is clearly visible (see example). Sometimes the detail at the edge of the fingerprint pattern is most important. Be very careful to place each fingerprint above the corresponding finger. If you mix them up start over. It is absolutely critical that each fingerprint be placed on the correct hand, above the correct finger. Just like on TV you roll your fingerprints from one side to the other onto the paper. It helps to only have the finger you are printing extended, and the others folded in. Make sure the skin ridge patterns are clearly visible all the way out the edge of the pattern.

Well done! Take the best set of prints and mail them to Randy. Keep the other set for yourself. We will be referring to these hand prints as we go through the reading.

Below are examples of acceptable hand prints They have been reduced in size for better transmission via Internet. Each hand print is very individual. Yours might look completely different than any of these. Your goal is to represent you hand as clearly as possible. Remember, to leave room at the top of the page for your fingerprints.

Some areas may refuse to print. This is OK. As long as you do your best, you will produce a valuable record of your hand. Note: The fingerprints go above the corresponding finger (you do not need the boxes, they are there only to show you where to place your fingerprints. Be sure to print the correct fingerprint above the correct finger. Make sure you do not confuse right and left! The hand print is a mirror image of your hand - so it will look "backwards").

SAMPLES
   

 

Below are examples of acceptable fingerprints. Yours may have similar patterns, or look completely different. Your goal is to print them as clearly as possible. It really helps if you show the fingerprints all the way out to the edge of the pattern.

            

Privacy Policy

Bisenz.com does not collect any information from visitors to our site except for information deliberately submitted in forms and e-mail at the request of the visitor. This information is accepted in order for us to better serve our clients only. We keep this information strictly confidential and will not share it with any other person, entity or organization for any reason whatsoever.