Handprint Tile Fundraiser

Handprint Tile Fundraiser
Hand tiles (small painted panels) provide an excellent opportunity for children (and adults) to become directly
involved with your community-built process. These small works of art not only provide a wonderful aesthetic to
the playground as a whole, they also get folks involved before the build, generating the kind of excitement and
inclusion that defines a quality and successful community-build project. People enjoy this fundraiser because they
feel like they can really be a part of and make a lasting impression on the playground.
The following Leathers & Associates recommended hand tile options are easy to implement and will result in a
high-quality, durable product. The simple directions that follow will explain how to prepare for and complete
your hand tile project.
If choosing to use tile for your project, please contact a local professional to assist in tile and paint
recommendations. You may find a local ceramic artist that is willing to volunteer and assist you with organizing
your handprint workshops. It’s always good to have a local artist on board to provide guidance and advice as you
choose appropriate tile for your climate. Keep in mind that you may need frost resistant/proof tile to hold up in
the elements. It is important to speak with your project manager prior to finalizing tile selection and size.
To simplify the process, many clients choose to use either PVC foam board or Extira (www.extira.com) for your
tiles. Each comes in 4’x8’ sheets. To find a supplier for Extira go to their website (www.extira.com). To purchase
PVC foam board, contact Bedford Technologies at 507-372-5558 (ask for Jenny and identify yourself as an L&A
project). The PVC foam board does not require priming! If using Extira you must prime all surfaces prior to
painting. For more information on each of these options, contact your project manager. L&A does recommend the
PVC foam board over the Extira option.
225 South Fulton St. Ithaca, NY 14850 ∞ 725 N. A1A Unit E201, Jupiter, FL 33477
Toll Free 877-564-6464 ∞ Florida 561-746-9581 ∞ Fax 607-277-1433
www.leathersassociates.com
Tiles will be cut into 7 ¾” x 7 ¾” squares. Once they are detailed with a border the space showing will be 7”x7”.
See detail for more information.
Create a handprint tile workshop schedule (sample flyer below). If you have six months prior to your build,
consider scheduling a workshop every two months. This will allow you to collect handprint tile order forms and
have families sign-up for their preferred workshop date and time. Plan ahead to have volunteers on hand to assist
with set-up, actual workshop participation and clean up!
225 South Fulton St. Ithaca, NY 14850 ∞ 725 N. A1A Unit E201, Jupiter, FL 33477
Toll Free 877-564-6464 ∞ Florida 561-746-9581 ∞ Fax 607-277-1433
www.leathersassociates.com
Directions:
1.) Try to secure donations for the materials needed to complete your hand print tiles. You should be
able to find these materials at lumberyards, hardware and paint stores within your community.
2.) Follow the attached detail to cut your tiles.
3.) Rout edges with a ¼” round over bit.
4.) If using the Extira product for your tiles, have adults or upper-level art students apply Bulls Eye 1-2-3
primer sealer (made by Zinsser), following all manufacturers’ instructions, to all surfaces of the tile. If
using the PVC foam board, no priming is needed – go directly to step 5.
5.) Have adults or upper-level art students apply two coats of background color to the front face and all
edges of the tile.
6.) Under adult supervision have children put their handprints on the tiles with exterior acrylic paint.
Place their names on the back of the tile to enable labeling after drying.
7.) Have adults or upper-level art students label/write the child’s name on the tile.
8.) Have adults or upper-level art students apply Varathane Spar Urethane (exterior, water-based)
varnish (semi-gloss is normally preferred but satin is ok as well). Be sure you are purchasing varnish
and not polyurethane to avoid yellowing. Follow manufacturer’s instructions and apply 2 coats of the
varathane to all surfaces. Brush on – do not use a roller to avoid clouding over. Be sure to avoid a
heavy coat and apply out of direct sunlight or extreme heat.
9.) If you choose to do so, you can apply a graffiti protectant called Soluvar by Liquitex. Be sure to follow
manufacturer’s instructions when applying.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call our office!
225 South Fulton St. Ithaca, NY 14850 ∞ 725 N. A1A Unit E201, Jupiter, FL 33477
Toll Free 877-564-6464 ∞ Florida 561-746-9581 ∞ Fax 607-277-1433
www.leathersassociates.com
Material Specifications
½” PVC Foam Board (4’x8’)
Bedford Technologies, phone: 507-372-5558
1/2” Thick EXTIRA (4’x8’)
Contact your project manager to confirm how many tiles can be incorporated into your playground.
www.extira.com phone: 866.382.8701
Primer Sealer (water based)
Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Primer Sealer, which is manufactured by Zinsser.
Exterior Acrylic Paint
Purchase good quality, water based paint so that kids can work with it.
Please contact your project manager regarding colors. You are going to want to have base colors and colors that
you use for the handprint. You will need a couple of gallons of each color. It’s difficult to give an exact amount;
this is approximate. You should be able to get more right away, if needed. We encourage you to have paper
plates on hand to paint and then have the kids place their hands in the paint and stamp the tile. Have an adult
volunteer work with the children and quick clean up buckets of soapy water.
For Labeling the Tiles
Sharpie water based paint markers work great for labeling the tiles. Do NOT use regular Sharpie markers on your
tiles!
http://www.sharpie.com/enUS/Pages/water-based-paint-marker.aspx
Water-Based Outdoor Finish (Semi-Gloss or Gloss)
Rust Oleum Varathane water-based exterior/Spar varnish. Scratch & impact resistance, UV protection from ultraviolet rays, transparent & non-yellowing.
Graffiti Protectant
Soluvar by Liquitex
Outdoor Construction Adhesive
PL-500, which is manufactured by OSI Sealant, INC.
You start with purchasing 6 / 10 oz. tubes that will fit in the small gun. If you need more you should be able to get
them right away or, if you purchase too many, make sure that you can return them.
225 South Fulton St. Ithaca, NY 14850 ∞ 725 N. A1A Unit E201, Jupiter, FL 33477
Toll Free 877-564-6464 ∞ Florida 561-746-9581 ∞ Fax 607-277-1433
www.leathersassociates.com
225 South Fulton St. Ithaca, NY 14850 ∞ 725 N. A1A Unit E201, Jupiter, FL 33477
Toll Free 877-564-6464 ∞ Florida 561-746-9581 ∞ Fax 607-277-1433
www.leathersassociates.com
SAMPLE FORM
225 South Fulton St. Ithaca, NY 14850 ∞ 725 N. A1A Unit E201, Jupiter, FL 33477
Toll Free 877-564-6464 ∞ Florida 561-746-9581 ∞ Fax 607-277-1433
www.leathersassociates.com
225 South Fulton St. Ithaca, NY 14850 ∞ 725 N. A1A Unit E201, Jupiter, FL 33477
Toll Free 877-564-6464 ∞ Florida 561-746-9581 ∞ Fax 607-277-1433
www.leathersassociates.com