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How to Make a Mushroom Spore Print Download ArticleExplore this Article Steps Steps Other Sections Questions & Answers Video Tips and Warnings Things You'll Need Related Articles References Reviewed by Renee Day
Last Updated: September 1, 2025
Download Article X
This article was reviewed by Renee Day. Renee Day is a Crafting Expert and Content Creator based in Michigan. She is a master of paper crafts, and also specializes in brush lettering, journaling, embossing, stamping, stenciling, doodling, and crocheting. Her Instagram account, thediyday, has over 300K followers. She published a book called Creative Journaling: A Guide to Over 100 Techniques and Ideas for Amazing Dot Grid, Junk, Mixed-Media, and Travel Pages. The book contains 52 projects, from crafting colorful pages to creating dot grid, junk, mixed-media, and travel journals. She also created Chunky Letter Calligraphy, a 30+ page (PDF) all about lettering. She runs a thriving Amazon Storefront, where she curates craft supply collections for her followers. She previously worked as a photographer, capturing engagement sessions, weddings, boudoir, and landscapes. She received a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. This article has been viewed 266,888 times.
Ever wanted to make a print of the bottom of a mushroom? It's easy, quick, and makes an awesome art project. It's also one of the most reliable ways to identify a mushroom!
Steps
Download Article
1 Pick out a mature mushroom that you want to make a print of. The mushroom must be mature to ensure that it has enough spores to print. A freshly picked mushroom is more likely to have live spores than a store-bought one.[1]XResearch source
If parts of the mushroom cover the spores, the printing effect won't work as well. Avoid using mushrooms that are shriveled, bruised or appear old.
Flat mushrooms create the best prints.
2 Remove the stem so only the cap remains. If the cap is very large you can cut it and make a print of just a part of the mushroom. Advertisement
3 Place the cap on a piece of paper, spore side down. Cover the mushroom with glass or bowl. Although it doesn't need to be clear, a clear glass covering allows you to help determine when the print is done.[2]XResearch source
4 The print could be done as fast as a few hours, but you can leave it longer to ensure a better, more deeply textured print. When you think it's ready, remove the bowl and view your print.
The print is actually made by the many microscopic spores falling from the mushroom, leaving a near-photographic impression.[3]XResearch source
5 Done. Use the print for hanging artwork, gift wrapping, adding to another craft project or to create more art from.
To protect the dusty print, spray with spray fixative, such as hairspray. Several coats should be adequate. Be careful though, as the pressure from the spray can easily disturb the spore print and change its shape.
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Community Q&A
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Question Where should I keep the spores for further growth? Community Answer You'd want to mix it with sterile water and make a spore syringe. That involves significant sterile procedures, so it's a bit beyond the scope of this answer, but Google will turn up many resources on making spore syringes. After that, you'd probably try to start growing your new mushrooms indoors (depending on the kind you're trying to grow), then dump a bunch of colonized spawn (sawdust, straw, etc) into your garden area. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 3 Helpful 19
Question How do spore prints identify the mushroom? Kicky Ricky Community Answer The microscopic view of the spores are often used for taxonomic identification of mushrooms, but the print on the paper itself is not a determining criteria. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 17 Helpful 11
Question When getting prints of poisonous mushrooms, once done can it still be poisonous on finished print? Community Answer For the mushroom to be poisonous, it would need to be a poisonous variety and you would need to ingest it. You do not need to wear gloves when handling even the deadliest mushroom, as it doesn't pass through your skin. As long as you don't ingest it, it will not harm you at all! Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 6 Helpful 33
Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement
Video
Tips
Did you know? Mycologists (people who study fungi) can identify the type of mushroom from the coloring of the spores when turned into prints.[4]XResearch sourceThanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
If a print doesn't appear, try a new mushroom. It may take a few tries before you get a decent print to appear. Thanks Helpful 6 Not Helpful 1
Try several mushrooms lined up or placed in a shape formation for a more exciting print. Thanks Helpful 6 Not Helpful 1
Show More Tips Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement
Warnings
Always wash your hands after handling mushrooms and dirt. Thanks Helpful 23 Not Helpful 5
Avoid handling mushrooms that you're not sure are safe. If you're unsure of the origin and type of mushroom, never eat it, as some mushrooms are toxic and can kill if eaten. Thanks Helpful 24 Not Helpful 6
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Things You'll Need
Mushroom cap
Piece of paper (printer paper, card paper, art paper, etc.)
Glass bowl or cup
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Reviewed by: Renee Day Crafting Expert This article was reviewed by Renee Day. Renee Day is a Crafting Expert and Content Creator based in Michigan. She is a master of paper crafts, and also specializes in brush lettering, journaling, embossing, stamping, stenciling, doodling, and crocheting. Her Instagram account, thediyday, has over 300K followers. She published a book called Creative Journaling: A Guide to Over 100 Techniques and Ideas for Amazing Dot Grid, Junk, Mixed-Media, and Travel Pages. The book contains 52 projects, from crafting colorful pages to creating dot grid, junk, mixed-media, and travel journals. She also created Chunky Letter Calligraphy, a 30+ page (PDF) all about lettering. She runs a thriving Amazon Storefront, where she curates craft supply collections for her followers. She previously worked as a photographer, capturing engagement sessions, weddings, boudoir, and landscapes. She received a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. This article has been viewed 266,888 times. 4 votes - 95% Co-authors: 13Updated: September 1, 2025 Views: 266,888 Categories: Featured Articles | Nature Crafts In other languages Spanish Russian
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Reviewed by: Renee Day Crafting Expert Co-authors: 13Updated: September 1, 2025 Views: 266,88895% of readers found this article helpful. 4 votes - 95% Click a star to add your vote
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Download Article Explore this Article Steps Steps Other Sections Questions & Answers Video Tips and Warnings Things You'll Need Related Articles References Reviewed by Renee Day 
How toPaint Leaves 
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Reviewed by: Renee Day Crafting Expert This article was reviewed by Renee Day. Renee Day is a Crafting Expert and Content Creator based in Michigan. She is a master of paper crafts, and also specializes in brush lettering, journaling, embossing, stamping, stenciling, doodling, and crocheting. Her Instagram account, thediyday, has over 300K followers. She published a book called Creative Journaling: A Guide to Over 100 Techniques and Ideas for Amazing Dot Grid, Junk, Mixed-Media, and Travel Pages. The book contains 52 projects, from crafting colorful pages to creating dot grid, junk, mixed-media, and travel journals. She also created Chunky Letter Calligraphy, a 30+ page (PDF) all about lettering. She runs a thriving Amazon Storefront, where she curates craft supply collections for her followers. She previously worked as a photographer, capturing engagement sessions, weddings, boudoir, and landscapes. She received a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. This article has been viewed 266,888 times. 4 votes - 95% Co-authors: 13 Updated: September 1, 2025 Views: 266,888 Categories: Featured Articles | Nature Crafts In other languages Spanish Russian 
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1 Pick out a mature mushroom that you want to make a print of. The mushroom must be mature to ensure that it has enough spores to print. A freshly picked mushroom is more likely to have live spores than a store-bought one.[1] 
2 Remove the stem so only the cap remains. If the cap is very large you can cut it and make a print of just a part of the mushroom. Advertisement 
4 The print could be done as fast as a few hours, but you can leave it longer to ensure a better, more deeply textured print. When you think it's ready, remove the bowl and view your print. 
5 Done. Use the print for hanging artwork, gift wrapping, adding to another craft project or to create more art from. 
Community Answer You'd want to mix it with sterile water and make a spore syringe. That involves significant sterile procedures, so it's a bit beyond the scope of this answer, but Google will turn up many resources on making spore syringes. After that, you'd probably try to start growing your new mushrooms indoors (depending on the kind you're trying to grow), then dump a bunch of colonized spawn (sawdust, straw, etc) into your garden area. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 3 Helpful 19 
Kicky Ricky Community Answer The microscopic view of the spores are often used for taxonomic identification of mushrooms, but the print on the paper itself is not a determining criteria. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 17 Helpful 11 
Community Answer For the mushroom to be poisonous, it would need to be a poisonous variety and you would need to ingest it. You do not need to wear gloves when handling even the deadliest mushroom, as it doesn't pass through your skin. As long as you don't ingest it, it will not harm you at all! Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 6 Helpful 33 
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