How to Get a Clear Baby Footprint (Without the Ink Mess)

How to Get a Clear Baby Footprint (Without the Ink Mess)

If you've ever tried to get a footprint from a wriggly baby, you'll know it's harder than it looks. Tiny toes curl, little legs kick, and suddenly there's a smudge where a perfect print should be.
The good news is that a few simple tricks make a big difference. Remember it doesn’t have to be perfect, every little detail is a gorgeous moment to capture.

1. Pick the right moment
The easiest time is when baby is calm, sleepy or freshly fed. Many parents find the best prints happen while baby is asleep. A relaxed baby means relaxed toes and fingers.

2. Make it a two-person job
One person gently holds and settles baby while the other handles the card. It's much easier than trying to do both at once, and it turns into a lovely little ritual to share.

3. Start with clean, dry skin
Ensure baby's feet/hands are clear with no fluff or dirt on them. Moisturiser or damp skin can blur the print.

4. Be ready to go 
For feet wipe baby's skin with our inkles wipes and gently push the foot on the card hold for a second, then lift straight up so it doesn't smudge. For hands, softly open the fingers, wipe with our inkless wipes and gently press the palm flat, hold for a second, then lift straight up so it doesn't smudge. Once completed wipe baby's hands and feet with soapy water to wash off any residue.

5. Don't aim for perfect
A slightly wonky print is still a perfect memory. In a year's time, you won't remember the smudge, only how tiny they were.

6. Make it monthly
The magic is in seeing the change. Capturing a print each month shows just how fast they grow, from newborn scrunched toes to busy, crawling feet. Store the cards in the storage box that your cards are shipped in. 

Why did we create our Inkless Milestone Card Kit?
When our daughter was born in September 2024 we felt as though time flew by, sometimes we wished time would stand still, just for a little longer so we could enjoy all her tiny details. 

Whilst we were excited for everything she was learning we realised how quickly her little toes stopped scrunching up and before we knew it she was rolling, crawling, walking and now running.

We created our Inkless Milestone Card Kit because we wanted those monthly prints without paint or ink on our baby's skin, and without the clean-up. The kit includes a card for every month of baby's first year including announcement and arrival cards, so you can build a keepsake of all their tiny details. Because truthfully, they'll never be that small again.