Wednesday 24 July 2013

Fabric Printing








 The first experiment of printing onto fabric. I decided to use two lino blocks i created recently, and  used the normal oil based printing inks i usually print with and passed them through the press as usual. Replacing the paper i would usually use with cotton. Using an old cotton pillow case (not ironed, to my embarrassment!) ) i was delighted with the results. I now need to check the fastness of the ink, as I'm not sure how washable it would be, but for now I'm pretty pleased with the results. I'm now looking forward to trying different fabrics, perhaps a heavier linen or canvas for some simple cushion covers for  home. 

11 comments:

Salla said...

Beautiful prints!

Melanie Wickham said...

These look great!! Your prints will make amazing cushions/curtains etc!

Isn't printing on fabric satisfying. Would love to hear more about how you find the inks (did you use normal oil based block inks?) as I've been trying a few different ones and specific fabric printing inks too and always have slight nerves about them being fully washable! I'm doing a few print projects with children as well and they find it sooo hard to wait for the oil based ones to cure.

Anonymous said...

This bird looks self consciously thoughtful and knows something he can’t share.


Veronica Roth said...

Hi Amanda, I came on your site researching printing techniques and I'm so glad I found you. I wanted to tell you that I think you cut the most beautiful designs. I'm trying to figure out how to print some beautiful vintage designs made by my partner's mother and am so looking forward to giving it a try. Just after Art in Action this year I'm so enthusiastic for trying new forms of art. Anyway, I'm off to read some more of your posts. :)

Lynne said...

! I think you can buy a preparation which you soak your fabric in, dry flat and then ironm before using to print? Similar to the bubble jet liquid which I use to soak fabric prior to doing photographic transfer to fabric or computer printing to fabric. Acts as a mordant.

There'll be no stopping you now! Roll over CAth Kidston bags!

A Deegan said...

these looking amazing Amanda, the fabric has taken the ink so well. glad to see you're back at the mangle, time away from printing always seems an age doesn't it?

Mangle Prints said...

Hi everyone, thank you as always for taking the time to reply, it's always great to hear from you all.
I still haven't had the chance to test the inks yet, as i'm keen to let them dry completely before i give it a test wash- patience isn't my greatest strength! I think i'm more inspired by the medium of the fabric itself, and the way the print looks on fabric rather than paper. Lots of avenues to explore with this !
@Veronica, how exciting to be printing your partner's mothers design, i would love to see the results. Thank you all for your lovely comments x

Veronica Roth said...

Amanda, I've cut out my first lino cut! I'm so excited. As it's a bit of the blind leading the blind here, It's very amateurish but I love the way it turned out. By the way, my website is veronicaroth and then .com if you'd like to have a look at some of Robert's mother's blocks. :) Hope the washing goes well and the ink stays put because the designs are too beautiful.

Doda Smith said...

OOOH Gorgeous! Do let us know how you get on with the colourfastness!

Selva Amaya said...

Hi Amanda, I really like your work! It's so delicate and beautiful :)

Anonymous said...

Hi, Im a printmaker and the speedball fabric block inks are made fast by ironing, normal block printing inks oil or water based are not fast so fine if its an item not to be washed....