CAPTURING PRINTS
At Hold Upon Heart, we’re skilled at creating beautiful results from fingerprints, handprints, and footprints—but you may be wondering how to capture your prints in the first place.
The good news is that we can work with prints you already have, or we can provide simple, easy-to-use print kits so you can take them at home. If time is short, we also offer a few helpful suggestions for capturing prints using everyday materials you may already have on hand.
PRINT KITS
BUY A PRINT KIT
Our print kits are incredibly easy to use and are designed to produce beautifully detailed results. You can add a print kit when ordering your jewellery, or purchase one on its own.
Our fingerprint kits include a special film strip coated with fingerprint ink. Simply dab a finger onto the film and press it onto the paper provided to capture a clear, detailed fingerprint. There’s no need for putty, no time pressure, and plenty of ink to take multiple prints.
Our baby handprint and footprint kits are just as simple to use and allow you to capture several prints. Non-toxic and mess-free, simply wipe the hand or foot with the inkless wipe, then press it onto the magic paper provided and watch the print appear in seconds.
ALREADY HAVE PRINTS?
At Hold Upon Heart, we’re experts at working with fingerprints, handprints, footprints, and pawprints you may already have. We can use photos of fingerprint moulds, ink prints taken by funeral directors, baby handprints cast in clay, or hand and footprints captured in paint.
We’re also able to work with photos of wet pawprints (or footprints!) left in the garden, or impressions captured in sand at the beach. As long as the outline of the hand or paw is visible and the fingerprint detail can be seen, we can usually work with it.
If you’re ever unsure, we’re always happy to review your prints before you place an order and confirm whether they’re suitable.
PENCIL FINGERPRINTS
If time is short its really easy to capture a fingerprint following the steps below, using a pencil and sticky tape. For best results take several prints without refreshing the pencil on your finger to get a series of lighter prints - often these reveal the best detail. Try using different fingers, and roll the finger onto the tape from one side to the other to achieve a larger print.
1. Colour in a patch of paper with the pencil.
2. Rub your finger over the patch of pencil until it transfers to your finger.
3. Place your finger onto the sticky side of a piece of sellotape. This will transfer the pencil from your finger onto the stick tape.
4. Stick the tape onto a piece of white paper - et voila! You have a fingerprint.
HANDPRINTS AT HOME
If you are in a hurry or would prefer not to buy a print kit, then try going back to basics with child-safe paint. It can be a little messy, but it’s always fun.
Alternatively, you might like to try the Vaseline resist method. Simply apply a small amount of Vaseline to the hand and gently press it onto card. Then lightly wash over the card with watercolour paint and watch as the handprint magically appears.
Another easy option is to take a photograph of the hand or foot. Phone cameras these days are incredibly capable—just be sure the image is taken in good light and straight on. For best results, try placing the hand or foot against a transparent surface, such as a shower screen, and photograph it from the other side. This helps to flatten the hand and highlight the unique character lines beautifully.