Unlike clay that can be rolled to start again, touchless ink kits have limited reuse as noted above. An extra helper goes a long way towards keeping it low stress and getting a clean print. I handled the pad positioning and my husband took care of dog wrangling. I’m not sure I could have gotten clean prints solo. Obliging Oli perhaps, but probably not wiggly young Humphrey. Test Methods First, then Take Prints These methods will likely work best and won’t cost too much. Tempera or water-based paints are also good as they tend to be non-toxic. From there, just dip your dog’s paw in the paint, then gently press it onto a sturdy paper for a couple of seconds. Lift the paw straight up and wash it. You may wish to take more than one print to make sure you get a good one. Dough

It is usually best to have two people taking the print; one to rub the wipe over your pet’s paw and one to hold the paper flat & still. This saves filling your paper with lots of your own fingerprints! Gently press your pet’s paw on pad. Be as controlled and even as possible. Try not to wiggle, slide, or rub. As noted above, how to do this will vary depending on you and your pets. I recommend some dry runs before printing. Create a safe working area by covering your counter or table top, just in case. The kits aren’t messy when used correctly, but better safe than sorry. Especially if you’re clumsy. Like me.

This is particularly helpful if your pet is very bouncy & excited or not in a good mood! Simply try again when they are calmer and happier. Creating a print from your pet’s paw is a special bonding experience that results in a print that will be treasured in your heart forever. Create just one print or make a decorative piece of art using multiple prints and colours. For clear impressions, start with clean paws and trimmed nails (if needed). If your pet has furry feet, they may also benefit from a groom and trim since the fur will create blurry prints. Or leave them and love them just as they are, blurry fur and all. As with our DIY clay paw prints, this is a project best undertaken when your pet is feeling relaxed and cooperative, so you may need to take care of the trimming and grooming well ahead of schedule, especially if your pet isn’t a fan. Helping Hands If you’re going to be using paints, make sure the paints are child safe. Anything that is easy to clean will also be helpful down the road. You want to use non-toxic products that are safe for your pooch. Washable body paints or finger paints

If your print smudges or your pet’s paw is very furry, don’t worry we tidy up and darken the prints for you. Some manufacturers sell dog paw print kits that can help you get a cast of your dog’s paws. If your dog has recently passed away, some cremation and memorial services will take a paw print for you as a keepsake of your precious pet. A digital copy of your furbaby’s paw prints are kept on file for 6 months free of charge and this storage can be extended after 6 months if you would like that peace of mind they are kept safe for you.

Our inkless paw print kits can be used to capture paw prints from many different pets including cats, dogs, guinea pigs, hamsters and mice. Place the touchless in pad, ink side down, on the imprint card (or your own paper). I recommend using a moveable non-slip base material (optional) underneath as noted in the supplies and materials section above. In addition to added protection, this makes it easy to move, position, and use the pad. Especially helpful if working on the floor with large pets, like our boys.