Baby's First Footprint: 5 Methods Compared (Inkless, Clay, Ink Stamp & More)

A baby's footprint is one of those impossibly small, impossibly perfect things. Those tiny toes, the rounded heel, the delicate arch: all of it changes so fast that capturing it in the early weeks is something most parents wish they had done sooner rather than later.

There are several ways to capture baby's first footprint, each with different pros, cons, and results. This guide compares the five most popular methods so you can choose the one that works best for your family.

Why Timing Matters

Newborn feet grow at a remarkable rate. In the first twelve months alone, a baby's foot can grow through multiple sizes. The window for capturing that tiny newborn sole is narrow, which is why most parents who do this in the early days are glad they did.

The best time to capture a footprint is when your baby is sleepy and relaxed, ideally after a feed. Trying to hold a wide-awake and kicking baby still long enough to get a clean print is considerably more challenging.

For a full guide on all the keepsake options available for capturing your baby's early physical milestones, read our baby handprint and footprint keepsakes guide.

Method 1: Inkless Print Kits

How it works: An inkless kit uses a specially formulated pad that reacts with the natural oils in your baby's skin to create a clear, dark print on the included paper cards. No ink, no mess, no staining.

Pros:

• Completely mess-free, no ink on baby's skin
• Safe and non-toxic
• Multiple impression cards usually included, giving you several attempts
• Results look crisp and professional
• Cards can be framed immediately

Cons:

• Print quality depends on pressing evenly and firmly, which takes a little practice
• You typically need to act within a short window once the pad is activated

Best for: Newborns and young babies, parents who want a clean and repeatable result, gifting.

The Newborn Inkless Hand and Footprint Kit includes everything you need to capture both handprints and footprints, plus a triple-frame display so the keepsake is ready to hang immediately. It is one of the most popular methods for new parents because the process is simple and the result is display-ready from day one.

Method 2: Clay Impression Kits

How it works: A ball of air-drying or oven-bake clay is pressed flat, the baby's foot or hand is pressed firmly into the clay, and the impression is left to dry or baked according to the instructions.

Pros:

• Creates a three-dimensional impression with real texture and depth
• Deeply tactile and beautiful as a display piece
• Can be painted or decorated once dry

Cons:

• Requires the baby to hold still long enough for a clear impression
• Getting even pressure can be tricky with a newborn's curved foot
• Air-drying clay can crack if not handled carefully during the process
• Takes time to dry or bake before the result can be seen

Best for: Parents who want a sculptural, three-dimensional keepsake. Works well around three to six months when babies are a little more settled.

The Blue Baby Handprint and Footprint Frame includes a clay impression kit within a display frame, combining the depth of a clay impression with a framed presentation that is ready to hang as soon as the clay sets.

Method 3: Traditional Ink Stamp

How it works: A standard ink pad (usually washable and non-toxic) is used to coat the foot or hand, which is then pressed onto paper or card.

Pros:

• Widely available and affordable
• Can be used on cards, notebooks, fabric, or most surfaces
• Very quick process

Cons:

• Can be messy, especially with a wriggling baby
• Ink may smear if the baby moves during the impression
• Washable inks can fade over time if not properly preserved
• Results can be less crisp than inkless methods

Best for: Casual use, crafting projects, greeting cards. Less ideal for a keepsake you want to display long-term.

Method 4: Acrylic Paint Print

How it works: A small amount of non-toxic, washable acrylic paint is applied to the foot or hand with a soft brush or roller, then the baby's foot is pressed onto canvas or thick paper.

Pros:

• Creates bold, colourful results
• Great for art projects, cards, and gifts
• Completely customisable in terms of colour and surface

Cons:

• Requires cleanup on both the baby and the surrounding area
• Getting a clean print without smearing takes practice
• Not suitable for very young newborns; better for babies three months and older

Best for: Crafty families, gift-making projects, creative keepsakes like decorated canvases.

Method 5: Digital Scan or Photography

How it works: A high-resolution photograph or flatbed scanner image is taken of the baby's foot, which can then be printed, framed, or incorporated into a photo book.

Pros:

• Completely non-invasive, nothing touches the baby's skin
• Can be combined with a portrait session for a beautiful result
• Endlessly reproducible as long as the digital file is properly stored

Cons:

• A photograph of a foot does not carry the same tactile meaning as an actual print
• Requires a high-quality camera or scanner for a result worth framing
• Easy to overlook among the thousands of other newborn photos

Best for: Parents who want a photographic record alongside other keepsake methods, or who have had no opportunity to capture a physical print.

Which Method is Right for You?

For most families, an inkless print kit is the ideal starting point. It is safe, mess-free, and produces a display-ready result in a single session. A clay impression is a wonderful complement if you want a three-dimensional piece alongside the framed cards.

For a detailed comparison of available kits in Australia including what to look for before purchasing, our baby handprint and footprint kit buying guide for 2026 has everything you need.

Tips for Getting a Great Print

• Wait until your baby is deeply relaxed or asleep after a feed
• Have everything prepared before you start: pad open, paper ready, frame nearby
• Hold the foot or hand gently but firmly, pressing evenly across the whole surface
• Roll the foot slightly from heel to toe to capture the full print
• Do not press too hard: gentle, even pressure gives the cleanest result
• Always test on a spare sheet first if using a new product

One Last Thing

The prints you capture in the first weeks will look completely different to the ones you take at six months, at one year, and beyond. Many families capture prints at several stages, creating a beautiful comparison that shows just how fast those tiny feet grew.

The keepsake does not have to be perfect. A slightly smudged print captured at three days old is worth infinitely more than the perfect one you kept meaning to get around to. Start now, and capture the size that will never come back.

Free shipping in Australia. Flat-rate shipping worldwide.