![Text written by hand on paper](https://lccprintmaking.myblog.arts.ac.uk/wp-content/plugins/lazy-load/images/1x1.trans.gif)
Making-at-home can present lots of challenges when you are used to a well-stocked workshop. In fact, this period of lockdown has been the longest I have ever been away from a printmaking space, in 20 years. It means working differently, working creatively, and for many of us, working in spaces that were not designed for printmaking.
Four weeks later, here are my three hacks for better printmaking-at-home. These are especially good if you share spaces with others, as I do, and are useful when thinking how you can continue your practice after university.
1. Your window is your lightbox.
![Clockwise from top left: photograph, text written by hand on paper, blank paper, ballpoint pen, roll of masking tape](https://lccprintmaking.myblog.arts.ac.uk/wp-content/plugins/lazy-load/images/1x1.trans.gif)
You will need: a window, paper and drawing tool
You could also have: any kind of tape, an image or piece of text you have found, or drawn
![Tracing an image onto a piece of paper. Image and paper are both taped to a window.](https://lccprintmaking.myblog.arts.ac.uk/wp-content/plugins/lazy-load/images/1x1.trans.gif)
![Reverse tracing text on paper. Paper is taped to a window.](https://lccprintmaking.myblog.arts.ac.uk/wp-content/plugins/lazy-load/images/1x1.trans.gif)
2. Your drying rack… is your drying rack.
![Left: scissors, thread, an assortment of small clips
Right: two clothes drying racks](https://lccprintmaking.myblog.arts.ac.uk/wp-content/plugins/lazy-load/images/1x1.trans.gif)
You will need: a clothes drying rack, clips, string/floss, scissors (careful of the sharp!)
You could also have: lots of clips, lots of string/floss
![Photograph of a small bulldog clip tied with string, to a rail on a drying rack.](https://lccprintmaking.myblog.arts.ac.uk/wp-content/plugins/lazy-load/images/1x1.trans.gif)
![Left: an example of clipping two prints, back-to-back, to the drying rack
Right: a clothes drying rack full of prints](https://lccprintmaking.myblog.arts.ac.uk/wp-content/plugins/lazy-load/images/1x1.trans.gif)
3. Your shopping bags are your paper soaking tray.
![Clockwise from left: stack of paper to soak, two clear plastic bags, coloured paper tabs, a clean sponge in a bowl of water](https://lccprintmaking.myblog.arts.ac.uk/wp-content/plugins/lazy-load/images/1x1.trans.gif)
You will need: paper to soak, a water sponge or spray, water, two plastic bags
You could also have: small paper tabs, large and heavy books
![Image of paper being sponged with water.](https://lccprintmaking.myblog.arts.ac.uk/wp-content/plugins/lazy-load/images/1x1.trans.gif)
![A stack of soaked paper, with coloured paper tabs separating each layer.](https://lccprintmaking.myblog.arts.ac.uk/wp-content/plugins/lazy-load/images/1x1.trans.gif)
![A soaked stack of paper, between two plastic bags, underneath a large book.](https://lccprintmaking.myblog.arts.ac.uk/wp-content/plugins/lazy-load/images/1x1.trans.gif)