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Print some DNA designs

This activity will take 60 minutes, is for ages 7 to 10 with supervision needed.

DNA is a code that tells your cells how to make a person. It’s different for almost every person, just like these prints.

Monoprinting is a type of printing where each print you make is unique and can only be made once. You're going to be creating some monoprints of a picture that looks like DNA.

Our DNA is in a shape called a double helix, which looks like two threads twisting around each other.

Because you're drawing the design for the double helix each time you print the picture, you’ll see that it’s slightly different each time - that's what makes the monoprints unique. 

You'll need

  • Something flat to put your paint on. It needs to be bigger than your piece of paper. Cardboard, a chopping board wrapped in clingfilm or a sheet of plastic all work well.
  • A sponge
  • Cotton buds
  • Paints (any kind as long as they're brightly coloured)
  • A sharp pencil
  • Thick paper or cardboard

Step-by-step

  • Step 1 of 7

    Choose a couple of paint colours to work with. Put your printing plate (card, plastic sheet or covered chopping board) on a flat surface.  

    A sponge, paints and a paintbrush.

  • Squeeze your paint on to the printing plate and brush it on until the whole plate is covered.

    Step 2 of 7

    Make sure you don't get too close to the edges. If you paint right up to the edges, the paint will go everywhere when you press on it to print!

    A piece of paper covered in blue paint with a paintbrush nearby.

  • Practice drawing the shape on a piece of paper.

    Step 3 of 7

    You're going to be drawing a design that looks like DNA - two twisted lines with lines in between them.

    A drawing of a DNA structure with a pencil on top.

  • Draw the double helix pattern in the paint using a cotton bud or the pointy end of a paintbrush.

    Step 4 of 7

    This will be like scratching into the paint. Top tip: make sure the paint is thick and that you draw into its surface before it dries out too much.

    A piece of paper covered in blue paint with the design of a DNA structure scratched into it.

  • Place your piece of thick paper down onto the printing plate and press down.

    Step 5 of 7

    Give it a rub with the palm of your hand and make sure the whole design has transferred onto the paper. After a couple of seconds, lift it off to reveal your first print.

    A handmade print of a DNA design on a piece of paper.

  • Don't wipe the paint off your plate yet. Paint your plate in another colour, draw a new helix and press on top of your first design.

    Step 6 of 7

    Repeat this as many times as you like. Or you can wipe down your plate at any time to start fresh.

    A piece of paper with two handmade prints of DNA helices in green and blue paint.

  • Try some more colour combinations

    Step 7 of 7

    Once you've tried putting one colour on your plate, mix it up and combine different colours. Although every print will be different, you'll be able to see bits of your previous prints in your new pictures.

    A piece of paper covered in stripes of yellow, green and blue paint with a DNA design drawn into it.

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