Here follow my instructions for the candle and cold offset printed image experiment, which you can easily do together with your kids. Most newspapers and comic magazines are printed with a cold offset technique. There are tons of videos on Youtube about how to make a DIY candle image transfer, which you could check out after you and your kids have done this experiment to understand the principles.

Remember to start the experiment with a hypothesis, what do you think will happen?

Instructions for parents: Read this first.

Material included:

• A printed image from a newspaper or a comic
• A candle (a white one is preferred)

Additional things you will need:

• A lighter

Description:

1. Select an image that you want a print off (preferably no larger than 3×3 inches (8×8 cm)).
2. Place the image on a flat surface and make sure it is clean all around.
3. Lit the candle and drop the stearin in an even layer on the image (0.1-0.2 inch (2-3 mm) thick).
4. Blow out the candle and let the stearin solidify and cool completely.
5. Remove the paper from the stearin plate.

Safety:

Melted stearin is very hot, and a burning flame causes a fire hazard. Ask an adult to help drip stearin.

Explanation:

The grease in the hot candle dissolves the color of the image and passes it over to the stearin. The image you want to transfer must be cold offset printed on uncoated paper. The paint is then on the surface and has not been heated (so-called heatset printing). Cold offset printing is used in newspapers and most weekly magazines.

Click the link to get to my Kids Christmas Calendar.

Do you have any questions or comments about the experiment? Just leave a comment below!

Thanks!

Marika