The following is a step by step tutorial of how to make a print using a carry-out box. This is a craft appropriate for grades K-6 but could also be used to aid motor skills and hand-arm function for therapeutic purposes.

Step 1: List of Materials:

Carry-out box
Brayer
Tube of Paint (acrylic works best)
Pencil
Scissors
Plate or similar smooth washable surface
Paper

Step 2: Cut Out a Foam Square

Cut a square from the smooth side of your carry-out box. Make sure the surface is free of logo embossing or other marks that may show up or interrupt your design.

Step 3: Draw Your Design

Using the pencil draw the design you wish to print onto the surface of the foam square you just cut out. A duller pencil works best and is less likely to tear the foam. Remember that the marks you make will be the color of the paper you print on, the surface left alone will be the color of your paint. Words are not reccomended to be used in your design unless you take care to draw them in backwards-your print will be a mirror image of what you draw.

Step 4: Prepare Your Paint

Squeeze a small amount of paint onto your plate and roll it out using the brayer. It only takes a small amount of paint to create a smooth surface of paint on the brayer.

Step 5: Apply Paint to Square

Roll paint over your design using the brayer. This process may require several re-loading of the brayer with paint. Be sure the entire surface of the raised areas of your design are covered. It is helpful and makes clean up easier to have a piece of scrap paper behind the square as this step can get messy.

Step 6: Apply Paper to Square to Make Print

Once your square has been covered with paint, place the paper you want to print on gently on top of square. Apply light pressure by rubbing the area of the paper that has the square behind it. Be careful not to slide paper across square as it will smudge your print design.

Step 7: Step Six: Peel Back Paper and Reveal Your Print

Peel the paper off of your square to reveal your print. Be careful not to slide paper while removing from square. Your square can be re-loaded with paint multiple times to make more prints if desired (Steps 4-6)