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Surface Design Techniques

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Surface Design Techniques • Friday Fun

Bubble Print Paper

What you will make:

Use paint and bubble blowing liquid to make this kid-safe alternative to marbled paper. With this technique, you will make pastel prints of soap bubbles on paper that can then be used for other craft projects.

It's fun to create greeting cards with cutouts of this paper made using stencils as patterns. Glue the shapes on folded cardstock to make greeting cards or stationery. If it's an animal shape, you might draw on eyes or other features using a black marker.

This craft is well-suited for family, group or classroom craft time, and requires little preparation by the adult or teen leader.

Here's what you need:

White construction paper, cut in quarters
Tempera or acrylic paint, darker colors
Plastic cup and spoon

Bubble blowing liquid
Straw
Pie pan or other flat pan that fits paper
Newspapers to cover work surface

This project is rated EASY to do.

How to Make Bubble Print Paper

Read all of the steps before starting.

Step 1: Project Preparation

Gather the materials needed for making the bubble print paper. Cut the construction paper in quarters: approximately 4½" by 6". Lay out the newspapers to cover your work area.

Step 2: Prepare Bubble Solution

Pour 1 cup (250 ml) bubble liquid into the pan to a depth of approximately ¼" to ½" (6 to 12 mm). Stir in 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of paint. Increase volumes proportionately for larger pans.

Tip: Make bubble solution by following Aunt Annie's recipe for Homemade Bubble Solution; the glycerin may be omitted. Or, add 1 tablespoon dish liquid to 1 cup water to make a bubble solution.

Step 3: Print Bubbles

Insert the end of the straw into the liquid and blow very gently to make bubbles covering the surface of the liquid and higher than the pan's rim. Or, you can stir the liquid with the spoon to make smaller bubbles. It works best to stir the solution and blow fresh bubbles before each print is made.

Holding a piece of paper by the edges, lay it down on the surface of the bubbles, pressing down slightly to pop some of the bubbles. Don't let go of the paper or let it touch the liquid.

Tip: Make two-color paper by overprinting with a second color after the first color is mostly dry.

Step 4: Dry Paper

Lay the paper face-up to dry. The paper may curl as it dries, so you might want to flatten it under some heavy books before using it. Use the paper in any craft you like. It makes pretty Four Patch Cards and nifty Artwork Bookmarks.

Tip: If you don't like how the paper turned out, you can print the paper over again one or more times, or use a different color of paint.

That's it! How will you use your bubble print paper?