Block Printing on Fabric

If you haven’t already, check out my blog post about linocut basics to get all those dirty details first!

Supplies
-Speedball water-based fabric ink
-Speedball fabric ink extender
-Ink roller
-Inking Plate
-Fabric: a tee, sweatshirt, tote bag, tea towel, or whatever you please

My Best Practices for Printing on Fabric
-I have always found better results from using soft blocks to print on fabric instead of hard lino blocks. 
-Squeeze your ink onto your inking plate and mix in a bit of speedball fabric ink extender. This is a transparent base that I find makes the ink smoother and prints cleaner. 
-Apply 2-3 coats of ink to your block. I find that I get the best results when I go heavier on the ink as compared to when I’m making paper prints, since the fibers of the fabric will absorb some of it.
-Lay your fabric or clothing item on a flat, firm surface. 
-Take your inked-up block and carefully press it down onto your fabric. Using your palms or a barren, press firmly with even pressure across the middle, sides, and corners of the block.
-Carefully peel the block away from your fabric and marvel at your beautiful creation!

Caring For Your Creations
-Your item will be dry to the touch after a few hours, but it’s not ready quite yet! The instructions on the speedball fabric ink indicate that it needs to cure for 2 weeks before it’s okay to wear and wash. 
-After about 2 weeks, block printed clothing can be washed on cold and hung up to dry.