Printmaking: How to Print Anything on Everything

Printmaking Without a Studio: Start Where You Are

You don’t need a press, a dedicated workspace, or years of art training to make a beautiful print. Christine Medley’s Printmaking: How to Print Anything on Everything shows how to turn everyday objects into printing tools and create multiples on paper, fabric, and just about any surface you can imagine. This is printmaking for the maker—accessible, playful, and full of happy accidents.

What You’ll Find Inside

After a friendly introduction to the basic tools, materials, and terms, the book jumps straight into doing. You’ll explore four main types of printmaking, with a focus on relief printing because it’s the most direct and forgiving. Then you’ll build a “creative toolbox” from household items and low-cost supplies—think cork, rubber erasers, cardboard tubes, and natural objects like star fruit. The projects are illustrated with photos every step of the way.

Relief Printing and Beyond

Relief printing is where most beginners start, and Medley makes it feel approachable. You’ll learn to carve linoleum, make stamps from erasers, and even use found objects to create unexpected patterns. The book also touches on screen printing and photographic techniques, so you get a taste of the wider printmaking world.

12 Projects to Get Your Hands Inky

The twelve projects are designed to build skills while producing something you’ll actually want to use or give away. You’ll decorate a gift bag, make a set of coasters, transfer an image onto a mug, and print your own T-shirt. Each project encourages you to add your own style, just like following a recipe but seasoning to taste. The difficulty ramps up gently, so you can start with something simple and work your way toward more involved techniques.

Who This Book Is For

If you’re a crafter, DIYer, artist, teacher, or someone who just wants to try something new, this book meets you where you are. It’s written for all ages and skill levels—no experience required. The supplies are inexpensive and easy to find, and the processes are safe and straightforward. Even experienced artists will find fresh ideas for incorporating printmaking into their practice, especially if they’ve mostly worked digitally.

The Joy of the Unpredictable

As the foreword notes, printmaking has a way of surprising you. You can’t control every drop of ink or every fiber of paper, and that’s part of the magic. This book celebrates that space between control and chaos, where serendipity happens. Whether you’re making a gift, a piece of art, or just playing around, you’ll find plenty of encouragement and practical guidance here.

Ready to pull your first print? Grab some ink, a brayer, and whatever’s in your recycling bin. Christine Medley will show you the rest.