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Turn ordinary rollers into creative texture tools for fast, fun printing projects! You can make your own using brayers, paint rollers, or even recycled paper towel tubes. Wrap them with everyday materials—like torn tape, adhesive foam, yarn, rubber bands, foil, or plastic wrap—to create dozens of original patterns and surface designs.

Once your roller is ready, pick a medium such as watercolor, gouache, acrylic, or ink. Spread a thin layer of paint on a flat palette (a cut-down plastic placemat works perfectly) and roll your design onto your favorite paper. You can also use your handmade texture tools on a gelli plate for layered, textured prints.

You’ll just need:

• Brayers, paint rollers, or cardboard tubes
• A few household materials like tape, yarn, foil, or foam
• Your choice of paint or ink

How to Create Your Rollers:

To make a repeating pattern, measure your roller’s circumference with string before adding materials.

For random effects, stick on scraps of foam, torn tape, or bits of textured material.

Wrap yarn by tucking the ends under each other, or use a little tape to hold foil or plastic wrap in place.

Time to Print:
Roll your brayer through the paint and transfer your design to paper, or experiment on a gelli plate for more layered backgrounds. Each combination of texture and color will give you new, surprising results.

Try starting with paper towel rolls to test your designs. Once you find patterns you love, invest in a few budget-friendly brayers and create your own custom set. When you’re ready to switch designs, peel off the foam and clean any residue with baby oil.

More Ideas for Textures:

• Emboss, deboss, or die-cut your foam
• Lace, ribbon, or burlap
• Texture tape, bubble wrap, or perforated foil
• Foam letters for bold shapes

Design your own background papers, collage materials, mixed media prints—or even handmade wrapping paper for holidays and special occasions.

Enjoy experimenting and creating your own unique prints!

Happy paper crafting!