Taking Infant Hand & Footprints

Infants and children under the age of three pose a problem when it comes to capturing a reproducible print. While they have fingerprints, the defining ridges are so fine that is is difficult to get sufficient contrast. The print look like black smudges and the resulting cast resembles sand paper.

The solution uses a print of the child's entire hand or foot. This print is miniaturized and centered on our oval charm. A high polish finish is put on the surrounding surface to highlight the imprint.

Many families already have footprint or handprint on the hospital record they received when their children were born. These prints may be scanned and emailed to Meadow Hill. For scanning and email instructions, SEE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW. If you need to capture your child's prints, please follow the steps below.

Step 1. Study the infant's feet and hands. Look for any distinguishing characteristics.

Step 2. Remove the pre-inked strip from the back of the card. Then carefully peel back the top sheet. (The top is slightly off set from the bottom). Either of the inked sides of the strip may be used.

Step 3. Tap the hand or foot of the child on the ink strip. If the child's hand or foot is wider than the width of the ink surface, take both sides of the ink strip and put them side by side, thereby doubling the width of the strip.

Step 4. Practice taking prints on any blank sheet of paper. Do not roll the hand or foot nor press too hard. Place the prints you send to Meadow Hill on a plain white index card or piece of paper. Attach the prints to the ink kit information card and mail it back.

Step 5. Clean the inked surface with a wet paper towel. A drop of hand lotion that contains alcohol can assist in getting every last bit of ink off. Put the ink strips back together and dispose of in a trash receptacle.

Questions: Call us toll free 1-800-228-4195

Scanning Infant Hand & Footprints

Step 1. Open your scanning program.

Step 2. Preview the document.

Step 3. Take your cursor and draw a box around one of the footprints or handprints. (best one)

Step 4. Zoom in on the selected area.

Step 5. Adjust the margins so that the entire footprint or handprint is inside the box.

Step 6. Set the resolution on 600 dpi or higher for best results.

Step 7. Scan at 100%. Do not enlarge or reduce the print.

Step 8. Do not try to clean up the print.

Step 9. Save as jpeg, using the child's full name to identify the print. (Example: John Smith.jpeg)

Step 10. Attach the jpeg to an email; put the child's name in the subject box. In the body of the email please include your name, address and phone number.

Step 11. Email to info@brunners.com

Step 12. After you receive the order card, fill it out and fax it to us at 847.462.0703 or put it back in the self addressed envelope and mail it to us.

Please print on the card "Prints were emailed" and your order number you were given when you placed your order.

Step 13. Call 1.800-228-4195 if you have any difficulties along the way!