How to Make a Baby Footprint Without Ink: 4 Methods Compared
You can make a baby footprint or handprint without ink in two ways: with clay or plaster, or with an inkless print kit. With an inkless kit you wipe the foot with a wipe containing a clear solution and press it onto special paper. The print appears on its own, with no black toes, no stained onesies and no ink all over the kitchen table. For a flat print to frame, inkless is the cleanest method. For something 3D you can hold, choose clay. Below we compare all four common methods, including ink and paint, so you can choose what suits your family.
In this article
- Which method suits you?
- How does an ink pad print work?
- Can you make a print with paint?
- How do you make a 3D print with clay or plaster?
- How does an inkless baby print work?
- Step by step: the most beautiful print
- When should you make the first print?
- Frequently asked questions
Which method suits you?
| Method | Mess | Result | Ready | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ink pad | A lot: ink on skin, clothes and table | Crisp 2D print | Straight away | A classic black and white print |
| Baby-safe paint | A lot | Colourful 2D print | Once dry | A colourful piece of art |
| Clay or plaster | Low to medium | 3D relief | Often 1 to 2 days drying | Something tactile for a shelf |
| Inkless | Barely any, no ink on the skin | Crisp 2D print | Visible within a short time | Newborns and capturing milestones |
How does an ink pad print work?
The ink pad is the classic method, and the one many hospitals use. You press the foot onto the pad and then onto paper. The result is sharp and it is inexpensive. The downside is familiar to most parents: ink gets everywhere. Between the toes, on the onesie, on your own hands. With a baby who kicks, it quickly turns into a smudged print, and the ink then needs to be washed off delicate baby skin.
Can you make a print with paint?
Yes. With paint that is made for children's skin you can make a colourful print, for example in the colours of the nursery. It is a fun activity with a slightly older baby, but it is the messiest option of all. Work on an old towel, keep a washcloth ready and wash the skin straight after.
How do you make a 3D print with clay or plaster?
With soft clay or a plaster kit, you press the hand or foot into the material to create a lasting relief. It is lovely to touch and to display. No ink is involved, but it does take patience. Your baby needs to stay still for a moment, you often need several attempts for an even print, and clay usually needs a day or two to dry. With plaster you need to be precise when mixing and letting it set.
How does an inkless baby print work?
An inkless kit has two parts: a wipe with a clear solution and special paper that reacts to it. This is how it works:
- Wipe the hand or foot with the wipe.
- Gently press it onto the paper.
- Wait a moment: the print develops on its own.
No black ink touches the skin, so there is no ink to wash off and no stains. That makes it the most relaxed method for newborns, and for parents who want a print without covering the whole house first.
2 announcement cards, 12 monthly milestone cards, 14 inkless print wipes and a keepsake box. Capture every month of the first year.
Step by step: how to make the most beautiful print
Whichever method you choose, these tips make the difference:
- Choose the right moment. A baby who has just fed or is asleep is relaxed, and a relaxed hand opens more easily.
- Do it together. One person holds the baby, the other holds the paper or clay.
- Make sure the foot is warm and dry. Cold feet curl up. Rub them gently to warm them first.
- Press from heel to toes. Gently roll the foot forward so every toe shows. For a hand, press from the palm to the fingertips.
- Practise first. If you have spare paper or clay, make a test print first.
- Write the date on it. A few years from now you really will not remember whether this was week one or month three.
When should you make the first print?
As early as possible. Hands and feet grow quickly in the first months, so a print from the first week is a different keepsake from one at three months. That is why many parents make a series rather than a single print: one at birth and then one every month or at every milestone. Side by side, they show just how fast that first year flies.
How do you keep a baby print looking beautiful?
Keep paper prints out of direct sunlight, ideally behind glass in a frame or in a box that stays dark and dry. Clay and plaster prints are fragile, so place them where they will not get knocked over. Still deciding between a print kit and other keepsakes? Read our comparison of baby milestone cards and handprint kits.
Frequently asked questions
How can I make a baby footprint without ink?
With an inkless print kit or with clay or plaster. An inkless kit gives a crisp, flat print without ink on the skin. Clay gives a 3D print but takes more patience and drying time.
Is ink harmful to my baby's skin?
Only use products that are specifically intended for baby skin and follow the instructions. If your baby has sensitive skin or eczema, check with your health visitor or GP first.
From what age can you make a print?
From birth. The first weeks are especially worth capturing, because that is when hands and feet change fastest.
How long does an inkless print stay beautiful?
That depends on the product and how you store it. Prints last longest when kept out of direct sunlight and behind glass.
Is a print kit a good baby gift?
Yes, especially an inkless one. It is personal, the parents can use it whenever suits them, and they are left with a keepsake rather than another onesie that will be too small in three months.
Every moment. Forever yours.
Capture the tiniest hands and feet without ink and without stress.
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