How Do You Make A Handprint Mold At Home?

A handprint mold is a special keepsake craft that captures the unique shape and details of a person’s hand in plaster. Parents often make handprint molds of their young children’s hands as a way to preserve a memory from that precious time. The mold serves as a lasting memento, showcasing how tiny their hands once were.

Handprint molds are popular baby shower gifts and milestone gifts for the first year of a baby’s life. The mold can be decorated in creative ways and cherished for years to come. Beyond babies, handprint molds can be made for anyone, allowing you to create a personalized art piece or sculpture using an impression of someone’s hand.

Gather Supplies

To make a handprint mold, you will need to gather some basic supplies. Here is what you’ll need:

• Plaster of Paris – You’ll need about 1 cup of plaster for an average adult sized handprint.
• Mixing Bowl – You’ll need a bowl big enough to mix the plaster in.
• Water
• Spoon for mixing
• Vaseline or cooking oil – To grease your hand before making the print.
• Craft paint and decorations (optional)

You likely already have many of these supplies at home. Plaster of Paris can be found at most craft stores, hardware stores, or online. Make sure to get an amount suitable for the size handprint you want to make.

Prepare Workspace

Making a handprint mold can get messy, so it’s important to properly prepare your workspace. Start by clearing off a table or other flat surface where you’ll be making the mold. Cover the surface with old newspapers, a plastic tablecloth, or a tarp to protect it from spills.

Lay out some extra layers of newspaper or a drop cloth on the floor surrounding your workspace as well. Plaster can stain carpets, wood floors, and other surfaces, so make sure to completely cover any areas that could get drips or spills.

You may also want to wear an old shirt, smock, or apron to keep plaster off your clothing. An old pair of gloves can help protect your hands and make clean up easier too.

Once your workspace is fully covered and protected, you’re ready to start mixing up some plaster!

Mix Plaster

Mixing the plaster is a crucial step in creating a successful handprint mold. Using the right plaster to water ratio ensures the plaster will set properly. Here are some tips for mixing plaster:

• Use plaster of Paris or casting plaster. These set fast and result in a smooth finish.
• The ideal ratio is 2 parts plaster to 1 part water. For example, 2 cups plaster to 1 cup water.
• Only mix as much as you need for each handprint. Plaster sets fast, so unused mixed plaster will be wasted.
• Add the plaster powder to the water slowly while mixing. Mix thoroughly to break up any lumps.
• Mix just until smooth. Overmixing introduces too many air bubbles.
• Move quickly once mixed, as plaster can set in 5-10 minutes.

Follow these simple steps for a perfectly mixed plaster that will capture every detail of your handprint.

Make the Mold

Making the actual handprint mold is a fun, hands-on activity. Be sure to have your child seated at a table before starting this step.

Position your child’s hand palm down over the plaster mixture. The fingers should be spread apart naturally. Press the hand gently into the plaster, making sure all fingers and palm make full contact. Push in until the plaster reaches about halfway up the fingers.

Now comes the hard part – holding completely still! Tell your child to relax their hand while keeping it in place. No wiggling fingers or lifting up. The plaster will begin hardening quickly. Count together slowly to 60 while the hand rests in the mold.

Carefully lift the hand straight up and out of the plaster, trying not to drag the fingers along the mold. Some plaster may cling to the skin, which can be rinsed off later. Set the handprint mold aside to fully harden and cure overnight before decorating.

Remove Hand

Once the plaster begins to harden, after about 5-10 minutes, you can start preparing to remove your hand. Avoid removing your hand too early while the plaster is still wet, as it may become damaged or lose its shape.

Gently wiggle your fingers to loosen the mold. Carefully ease your hand out, making sure to pull straight up and not bend the fingers. The plaster should keep its form as you remove your hand.

If the mold feels secure and sturdy enough, you can remove it fully from the bowl and place it on a flat surface to finish drying and curing. If it seems fragile, leave it in the bowl until completely set.

Allow the plaster mold to dry and cure completely, usually 24-48 hours. Once fully cured, the mold will be hard and durable.

Clean Up

Once the plaster has fully set and you’ve carefully removed your hand from the mold, it’s time to clean up. Here are some tips for cleaning up after making a handprint mold:

Rinse your hand thoroughly with warm water to remove any plaster residue. Use a mild soap if needed. Be sure to scrub in between fingers and around fingernails where plaster may be stuck. Rinse until the water runs clear.

Next, clean your workspace. Carefully peel away any plaster drips or spills from the work surface. Plaster can stain materials like wood or fabric, so clean spills right away. Wipe down the area with a damp sponge or cloth. Rinse the sponge and wring out often.

Wash any bowls, spoons or other utensils used for mixing plaster under warm running water. Plaster rinses away easily when wet but can be difficult to remove once dry. Avoid letting plaster go down the drain to prevent clogging.

Once your hand and workspace are clean, you can move on to decorating and displaying your handprint mold!

Decorate the Handprint

Once the plaster has fully cured and hardened, it’s time to decorate the handprint mold to make it look beautiful. Get creative and make it unique!

Acrylic or tempera paints work well for decorating the plaster. Paint the entire handprint or just parts of it in your child’s favorite colors. Add patterns with dots, stripes, swirls or shapes. Glitter, sequins, and other embellishments can also be glued on for extra sparkle and texture.

Another fun idea is to paint and decorate the handprint to look like an animal or creature. Paint it to look like a puppy paw, kitten paw, turtle shell, or anything you can imagine. Use wiggle eyes and other craft materials to finish the creature design.

Personalize the handprint with your child’s name, age, and date. This makes a wonderful keepsake that you’ll always remember when it was made. Decorate the handprint mold however you wish to capture the memory.

Preserve

Once your handprint mold has fully cured and dried, you’ll want to seal and protect it to preserve the mold for years to come. Here are some tips for sealing and protecting your finished handprint mold:

– Apply a sealant – After the plaster has cured and dried, brush on a thin layer of decoupage medium, polyurethane, or clear acrylic spray. This will seal and protect the surface of the plaster.

– Use a varnish – Artist’s varnish or polyurethane varnish can be brushed over the surface for an extra protective coat. Be sure to use a varnish formulated for crafts.

– Consider a clear coat of paint – Acrylic paint can be lightly brushed over the surface for color and to seal it. Make sure to use a clear acrylic paint so the handprint still shows through.

– Store properly – Keep your finished handprint mold out of direct sunlight which can cause fading. Store in a dry place at room temperature away from dust.

– Handle with care – Plaster is durable but still fragile. Avoid dropping or banging to prevent chips and cracks.

Properly sealing and storing your handprint mold will preserve it for many years so you can cherish your homemade keepsake.

Display Your Unique Handprint Keepsake

Once your handprint mold has fully cured and dried, it’s time to decide how to showcase your one-of-a-kind keepsake. Here are some creative ideas for displaying your homemade handprint:

Mount it on a canvas or sturdy board – Attach the dried mold securely to a stretched canvas or framed board for a ready-to-hang art piece. Use strong adhesives like epoxy or gorilla glue to adhere it.

Frame it – Place the handprint mold in a picture frame, either on its own or alongside photos from that time period. This makes a meaningful personalized gift for parents.

Make a paperweight – Glue a magnet to the back of the handprint and use it as a decorative and functional paperweight for desks or workspaces.

Use it in a shadow box – Create a box display with the mold and personal mementos from that age like photos, clothing, or toys.

Hang with ribbon – Tie ribbons around the mold and hang it in a nursery or child’s bedroom as a cherished keepsake.

Let your unique handprint mold become a treasured heirloom that can be proudly displayed for years to come!