Inovart Presto Foam Printing Plates Econo Pack, 4"x6", 100 Sheets

I came across this product recommended in an online printmaking lesson. Classroom budgets are (as always) pretty tight and the block printing product we use is getting more and more expensive. Still, print making is part of the curriculum so I'm always actively looking for ways to do the job on the cheap whenever possible. So here are my observations: (1) This product is waaaaay more economical than the "easy cut" material we use throughout our district. (2) While the easy cut material better replicates the sharpness of line one achieves using traditional linoleum block cuts, the Presto Foam product is a pretty good introductory material. I would rate it as excellent for elementary and middle school levels, and acceptable for a foundations high school art class. (In fact, that is precisely how I'm using it this week.) (3) Due to the economy, it's easier to have an "extra" piece of material if a student makes an error. That's generally not possible when using the more expensive product. (4) I was surprised to see how versatile this product is. I've done foam printing with students in the past using disposable foam plates. Opening this product and discovering it was much thinner than foam plates concerned me - at first. But the foam is dense and takes incised line very well. It also does well with larger reduced areas and shapes. In fact, I may use this as an introduction to the concept of material removal before having high school students work with the expensive stuff. Although I haven't tried it yet, I kind of think this would work for reduction printing. While I'm on the topic of printing, I'll share that this material prints well ... IF you use block printing ink. My experience using tempera was a little dicey and I would think kids would get easily frustrated - you really need a thicker substrate to work consistently well. Thinner inks and watercolor won't work at all...they'll bead up on the smooth, unabraided surface. I even tried some intaglio ink because I had it out at the time, and - meh. From a production standpoint, I found that the best application to the foam plate was using a brayer (as you might well imagine.) A little experience is necessary to judge how much is "too much" and how much is not enough to get a good transfer. I've a Speedball hand press that seemed work very well. Simply rubbing with a spoon was ok. Using a brayer was ok. Using a baren worked best.

My students used these for printmaking. I cut them down using a paper cutter for about 4x6 then student use a ball pen to “carve” out a design. We used washable markers and water to print and it worked out great. These foam board made printmaking easy and fun for elementary students.

Great product

Came exactly as expected and worked great for our community art project. Reasonably priced.

I've bought this product 3 times now because I've been so impressed with the result. They are thin but I did not have may problems with students breaking or puncturing them while using them. It worked as a fabulous introductory lesson to printmaking for my older elementary students.

Excelente producto, pude usarlo con el papel adhesivo y pego muy bien con el Presto foam. Con un resultado bonito para los rompecabezas

My package of plates arrived in a half-moon shape. I tried weighing them down with books for a couple of weeks and it made no difference. You can tape them down but then you cut off the edges and I wanted the full plate. As they are they aren't really usable. They are thin and cheap like the other reviewers say, but I think they are fine for kids or for a quick and easy afternoon project. I gave them three stars because the company did send a replacement package, however the second order also arrived bent, though less severe. (pics are of first and second orders)

The durability was fine. Easy to use. The color was fine. The size was good. The stickiness was ok.