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What Are Rubbing Plates?

Rubbing plates are tools used to make patterns, textures and designs on any art project, especially those made of paper or fabric. You can make rubbing plates yourself or buy rubbing plates from craft stores and art supply stores. They can be used by artists, amateur crafters or children, depending on the material and cost. Rubbing plates can be made of metal, plastic or cardboard, with metal plates typically the most costly. The plates have a printed design raised from the surface.

Basic Use
- To use a rubbing plate, simply put the surface of the fabric or paper object you're working on over the plate. Then, use a pencil, piece of charcoal, paint or other coloring tool and rub the fabric or paper. Like taking an imprint, this motion transfers the design on the plate to the object you're decorating. You can move the plate after each layer of design to get a more complex, less organized pattern.
Making a Rubbing Plate
- While rubbing plates can be purchased from art supply or craft stores, you can also make your own if you want a rubbing plate at a lower cost or if you want a specific design for your rubbing plate. The first step in making a rubbing plate is to get the right foundation material. A thick piece of cardboard best. If the cardboard is too flimsy, it will bend and warp, distorting the design. You can glue two pieces of cardboard together to make a solid foundation, or you can use matboard or foamboard.
Adding Designs
- With your base on a table, use dimensional paint of any color to make your design. You can plan a design on paper beforehand or make it up as you go. You can do a repeating pattern like stars or a random design of lines and other objects. Check for air bubbles as you go, filling them with paint so you don't pop them when tracing the design onto your project.
Project Ideas
- After giving the cardboard 48 to 72 hours to dry, you can add designs to bandanas, window curtains, pillow cases, shirts or even shower curtains. Any fabric or paper project can be spiced up with a little creativity from your own rubbing plate.

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