How to Make Stunning Hammered Art Prints with Flowers and Leaves

Making a hammered art print is the perfect summertime activity for young artists of all ages.

Part of the fun of this activity is the prep work—gathering the leaves and flowers for the print. It’s also interesting to experiment with different combinations of nature media to discover what works and what doesn’t.

It’s still early in the season for many of our flowers, but I’ve had success with azaleas, impatiens, petunias, and millionbells. Ferns never disappoint—they make lovely hammered prints by themselves or when combined with florals. Cypress fronds, grass, and herb leaves also produce lovely prints.

Gather these supplies:

• Plain fabric—muslin or broadcloth work great
• Cardboard or cereal boxes
• Painter’s tape
• Copy paper
• Hammer
• Picture frame

Now, let’s make a hammered art print:

1. Cut your fabric to fit your frame. I allow an extra half inch on all sides. So, for a 5″ x 7″ frame, cut the fabric 6″ x 8″.
2. Prepare a mounting board and a pounding board from old cardboard boxes or cereal boxes. The mounting board is for holding the fabric in place. The pounding board provides a smooth surface for hammering. Size isn’t too important. The mounting board needs to be larger than the fabric, and the pounding board needs to be larger than the mounting board and several layers thick. Other options for a pounding board are a magazine, folded newspaper, writing tablet, coloring book, etc.
3. Secure the fabric to the mounting board with painter’s tape.
4. Arrange your leaves and flowers on the cloth.
5. Cover the arrangement with a sheet of copy paper. Tape the copy paper in place with painter’s tape.
6. Lay the mounting board (with the arrangement and copy paper in place) on the pounding board. Hammer all over the design. This step should be done on a surface that can withstand LOTS of hammering. Outside areas are generally best—sidewalk, driveway, deck. But, not on that glass top patio table!!
7. When you’re satisfied that you’ve hammered all areas of the arrangement, remove the copy paper and the spent leaves/flowers. You did it!! Admire your hammered art print!!