Paw Print Art Memorial
This is “Kitty’s” paw print art memorial incorporating a handmade etching from a photo (using sunshine, metal, ink and a printing press), Kitty’s paw print, wax seal with a “K” for Kitty, and a tuft of Kitty’s fur.
I included a tiny bit of his cremation ash into the ink of his etching and also into the wax seal. Kitty’s mom wanted a way to have his picture and pawprint hanging up as art in her home so she could remember that face she adored so much.
Paw Print Impression Mold to Stamp
(If you’d like to watch a video instead of reading, you can skip to that here in my YouTube video showing how to get a stamp from the clay impression!)
Kitty’s mom only had the impression mold (similar to my white one here given to me by Lap of Love when I said goodbye to my own boy). But mom didn’t have an actual hard copy of Kitty’s paw print.
She had his impression mold given by his veterinarian, but we needed an actual pawprint on paper for this project. In creating the pet memorial art with ashes of Kitty shown above, I had to figure out how to, in essence, make a stamp, or a positive mold, from the impression mold. Here is Kitty’s paw print stamp (purple one on the right).
Materials Needed to Make a Paw Print – Silicone
I created this paw print stamp from a silicone putty product purchased at a local craft store. You can also find it online. (This was after I tried a liquid messy silicone product – a yucky mess! The Silicone Putty worked way better with less mess.)
I loved this putty as it was just like playing with playdough and easy to press into the impression, let harden, and get a positive that I could use as a stamp.
Video Showing How to Make a Paw Print
Once we had the stamp made of Kitty’s paw print, it was easy to ink it, wipe away the excess ink on the edge of the purple silicon stamp, and press it onto a piece of paper to get a hard copy of his pawprint. Here is the YouTube video showing how to use this product.
Materials Needed to Make a Paw Print – Ink Pad
Of course, if your pet is still with you, I suggest a mess-free ink pad which you can use to make a hard copy, an actual print on paper, of your companion’s pawprint.
You may also be able to pick up the mess-free ink pad at your local craft store. In case not, here is the link to purchase the mess-free ink pad online.
Before I created the pawprint and other elements, I did a test etching transforming the cell phone picture of Kitty into fine art (using the printmaking process with sunshine, metal and ink etched onto a metal plate which took about an hour). Then, I added just a bit of ash to the ink of his portrait and also created the wax seal pulling together all the keepsake elements.
Paw Print Art Memorial
Here is a closeup of Kitty’s paw print art for pet memorial. This matted artwork will fit in a standard 11×14 frame and hopefully help Kitty’s mom as she’s wanting to remember her boy for a long time ahead!
If you have any questions about how to make the pawprint stamp, please comment and I’ll try to answer! Thanks for reading :-)
To commission art with your pet’s paw print, please visit the Greyboy Pet Prints shop to see all the goodies!
I’m wanting a rubber stamp made from my dog print that was given to me after he pasted. Can this be done with out harming the orginial.
Thanks
Gail Wyatt
Hi Gail! Yes, it can be done. When I created a rubber stamp with the materials described in this post, it did not harm the clap pawprint impression that I had of my kitty. Feel free to email me if you’d like more info.
Thank you so much for your post. I have the clay paw print and have been looking desperately to find out how to essentially make a stamp out of it without harming the original. Thank you so much and sorry for the loss of your beloved pet. Pistol’s Momma ❤️
Hi Pistol’s Momma! I’m sorry for your loss! Yes, I was wondering too how in the world to get an actual paw print from my circle mold impression from my vet for so long too. I’m glad you found that helpful! Take care.
Hi Mandi,
I have a ceramic paw print. If I use the puddy you recommended to make the impression then does that harden and can be used as a keepsake? Wasn’t sure if it stays purple? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Denise. Yes, the putty hardens but can be twisted and folded without losing shape. It does stay purple. If you want a special keepsake with paw print, I’d recommend one of these: https://greyboypetportraits.com/product/pet-art-memorial-complete-keepsake-etching/ or https://greyboypetportraits.com/product/pet-art-with-paw-prints-collage/
This was just the answer I was looking for.
Especially the part regarding the ability to use the impression from the vet without harming it.
This will bring tears to my wife’s eyes, as I intend to give her a project somewhat like yours to her for Christmas.
Hey Bryan! Thanks for letting me know that was helpful. I’m so happy to hear you’re able to make something special for your wife with the paw print! Merry Christmas!
Mandi,
Unfortunately, the silicon positive wasn’t workable. Some parts of the impressions were too deep to be able to make a consistent print.
(I DO like the silicon molding product, though, and will use it for future projects.)
However……
I was able to scan the impressions, and use AutoCAD to create 3D models which I then exported to my 3D printer to create ‘stamps’.
That solution was just the ticket.
This took me almost a week to get done, and now am clear-coating the picture and paw prints.
Merry XMas to you as well, as well as a Happy New Year.
Stay safe.
2021 will hopefully be better.
;)
Bryan, WOW! I’m impressed that you used AutoCAD to create a 3D model and then the 3D printer. Very cool! Upload a pic if you’d like. Sounds interesting!