I'm going to give this method a try.  If you still can't read with a magnifying glass I suggest you scan the resulting prints and enlarge them on your computer.

yeah, a few have reported their unique fingerprinting methods using a pencil

thanks for sharing yours!

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easy no mess way to do prints. You will need a pencil,  a couple of index cards and some clear
tape.

First use the pencil to make a nice dark patch of lead on one of the index cards. Then rub the
fingertip you want to print in the patch. Take a piece of tape and carefully cover the pad of
your finger, then remove it in one smooth stroke. Press it carefully onto the second index card
(on the blank side). Repeat for the rest of your fingers, adding more lead as needed.

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You can do your prints by running a pencil (big dark spot) on paper and then rubbing your fingers
thru it one at a time. I then do the CSI thingy and used a strip of tape and rolled my sons
prints on it. I used a magnifying glass to check them.

Quoted from DenverFoodie

I'm going to give this method a try.  If you still can't read with a magnifying glass I suggest you scan the resulting prints and enlarge them on your computer.

So I thought why scan the resulting finger prints?  I scanned the originals.  It takes one scan for the 8 fingers and one for both thumbs.
Be sure to press your digits firmly on the glass and, voila, perfect prints (are they prints at this time?).  The only things you don't get are the white lines, which is why I did this method in the first place because I had so many.

Great alternative!  

This is a fantastic method thanks for sharing.

Quick (possibly dumb) question. Re the loops being ulna or radial (just for my interest) once printed is the loop facing the other way to on your hand ie left hand index finger print points to the right but have I reversed it by sticking the tape down rather than printing in ink?

Sorry if that is very confusing but I can't turn the images in my mind and yes I do have to turn a road map around so that it is facing the way we are going  

Quoted from Juliette

This is a fantastic method thanks for sharing.

Quick (possibly dumb) question. Re the loops being ulna or radial (just for my interest) once printed is the loop facing the other way to on your hand ie left hand index finger print points to the right but have I reversed it by sticking the tape down rather than printing in ink?

Sorry if that is very confusing but I can't turn the images in my mind and yes I do have to turn a road map around so that it is facing the way we are going  

No dumb questions.  Just think of it as pressing your inked fingers down on paper.  You just do all four (eight) at once.  Then do the two thumbs for your second scan.  Be sure to press down firmly so the print flattens out.
The only drawback doing it this way is you don't get a confirmed indication of horizontal white lines.  You can see them but they are not that obvious.

It would be the opposite of using tape for your prints.

Thanks Denver but you have confused me more!  I am using the pencil and tape method but I think I have worked out my own question. Yes using tape does reverse the prints as you see them.

I have 8 ulna loop, 1 radial loop (right index) and one whorl.

Guessing that is the prints of an explorer.  I'm still trying to work out if I'm a teacher or Explorer and feel that I am 50/50

I had my prints done last year digitally.  Digital prints are fantastic, but what they revealed was dismal.

I've just bought a digital microscope gonna have a play with it when it arrives and look at my finger prints. it's got software and all included. for films etc. x400 should be loads shouldn't it?

I got one several years ago, like the kind the CSI's use, to look at skin.  I love it!  I can see so much more and can show the client damage to their skin that you can't see with the naked eye    that will eventually surface in a few years.  This way we can work on it now, so it won't surface later.

You are going to have a great new toy.  Prepare to have fun!!!!

PC, you can now open a PI office!!
or FBI no sorry Scotland Yard.....you re all equipped

Quoted from Lola

PC, you can now open a PI office!!
or FBI no sorry Scotland Yard.....you re all equipped

Try Irish Yard

Hopefully those pencils do not contain lead?   The scanner option worked very well for me.  From a very loopy (10) kind of teacher (45%).     

Quoted from Cristina

Hopefully those pencils do not contain lead?   The scanner option worked very well for me.  From a very loopy (10) kind of teacher (45%).     

I thought all modern day pencils were graphite.  Are your's all ulna loops?

Quoted from Juliette

I thought all modern day pencils were graphite.  Are your's all ulna loops?

You may be right about the graphite.   And, yes, all Ulnar except from my D2 (index fingers) they are both radials.

I work at a lab and used a microscope since every time i did it with ink they smeared.

Quoted from Juliette

Thanks Denver but you have confused me more!  I am using the pencil and tape method but I think I have worked out my own question. Yes using tape does reverse the prints as you see them.

It only reverses the prints if you flip the tape over and put it, sticky side down.
Joyfulheart's directions call for putting the tape on paper sticky side up.

Thanks Victoria that is what I have done.

fingerprints are the only easy measurement i had.

I see them clear as day on my fingers, no printing needed!

Quoted from amill

fingerprints are the only easy measurement i had.

I see them clear as day on my fingers, no printing needed!

Not so for me, can barely see them on my fingers so I used the pencil and sticky tape method today - lots of white lines but at least I could work out what most were - loops x 6, a couple of whorls and the other two I'm not entirely sure of , will check again after I've been doing the BTD for a few months, they might be clearer then