Materials:

• Cardboard Pieces
• Craft Glue
• Scissors
• Paper Plate 
• Acrylic Paint or Block Printing Ink
• Paintbrush or Printing Brayer
• Heavy Weight Paper

Step 1: Brainstorm ideas for a collage. It can be abstract, or the likeness of a landscape, or silhouettes of objects.

Step 2: Begin your collagraph by finding a square or rectangular piece of cardboard that is slightly smaller than the paper you plan to print on to use as your printing plate.

Step 3: Gather cardboard pieces and cut out desired shapes with scissors, small enough to fit on your printing plate.

Step 4: Place the cut shapes on the printing plate to compose the design. Once satisfied with the design, glue each piece in place and allow them to dry. 

Step 5: Grab the desired acrylic paint or printing ink and use a paintbrush or printing brayer to apply it to the cardboard, covering each glued piece of the design. 

Step 6: Once the paint or ink is applied, take the heavy-weight paper and line it up with the plate. Firmly press and rub the back of the paper over the design to transfer the ink onto the paper. 

Step 7: Gently peel the paper off the plate and allow it to dry. 

Ideas to take your cardboard collagraph to the next level:

• Experiment with the thickness of the collage pieces. The differences in height can add or subtract details. 
• Experiment with texture! Use other materials such as buttons, paper clips, pipe cleaners, feathers, etc. 
• Extend the project by printing on different materials such as wood or metals!