Summer Art Class: How to Make Stamps with Potatoes

The next installment in our Summer Art Class Series has us use an ordinary grocery store purchase and some ordinary household supplies to create a beautiful art project. This craft was inspired by our brand-new watercolor wave print, available in super soft, summer PJ styles, ready to mix and match – including the cutest breathable cotton footie for baby. You can shop all the new summer prints in our best-selling PJs, tees, and activewear.

In this tutorial, Primary's Graphic Designer Tanya teaches how to make a custom stamp with a potato. All you'll need is a potato, some paper, a paintbrush, and paint! Here's how it's done: 

Step 1: Trace Stamp Shape

Use a pencil to outline the shape you want your stamp to be! Just keep in mind you'll have to cut around this shape in the next step, so we don't recommend doing anything too complicated (unless you took Potato Carving over Wood Shop in school).

Step 2: Have a Grown-Up Cut Out Your Shape

Have a grown-up use a small knife to very carefully carve around your shape, and then cut a small layer off the top of the potato. Removing that small layer should leave your shape exposed, so that it can be used as a stamp!

Step 3: Clean Up Corners of Your Stamp

If needed, have your grown-up carefully clean up the edges of your shape, carving out any nooks and crannies. This will ensure your stamp looks like your intended shape!

Step 4: Paint Your Stamp

Now your stamp is ready to use! Choose your color, and apply a thin layer of paint to your shape.  Don't use too much paint, or you won't be able to see the details of the stamp on the page.

Step 5: Stamp Away!

Get stamping! Press down firmly and hold for a second on your paper to make sure your paint transfers cleanly. Create any pattern you'd like with your stamp.

Step 6: Clean & Use Different Colors

Use a paper towel and some water to clean off your stamp when you're ready to change colors. You can reuse your stamp as many times as you want.

Step 7: Repeat the Process to Make New Shapes!

Use the other half of your potato (or as many more as you'd like) to create new shapes! Mix up colors and shapes to create as many different patterns as you want. Make shapes just like Tanya's below, or make a pattern that's completely different.

Check out the full video tutorial here, complete with instructions from Tanya:

Want to check out the styles that inspired this easy DIY? Shop our super soft, 100% cotton kids PJs in all our new summer prints. When you're ready for another project, learn how to make DIY Paper Cut-out Collages with Primary's Art Director, Fran! 

Dont forget to tag your work with #yesprimary on Instagram, and shop the Very Big Moving Sale for up to 50% off tons of styles, including some of our summer prints!