Question about printing on fabric

[Former_Member]

I have a package of cotton floursack towels I would like to print/stamp on.
What kind of inks do you use?
Thanks!
xo,
Suz

[Pininkie]

Hello

I've only done this once. I printed up some tea towels for Christmas pressies with a lino cut, and I used Permaset Aqua. It is actually a screen printing ink but the manufactures told me it could also be used for relief printing.

The Good:
- Eco friendly
- Water based / easy clean up
- Heat set with an iron or by simply putting in the tumble drier


The Bad:
- I found it quite tricky to use as it was very runny (probably as it was designed for screen printing!). Initially my roller just slid around in it and wouldn't roll. This was solved by using a foam roller or a soft rubber roller, which also made a BIG difference in the print quality.

For more info see: http://www.colormaker.com.au/fabric_printing.htm

Hope that helps!

[Former_Member]

Silkscreen ink is totally the way to go if you want to make anything functional/washable, but I've had great luck printing etchings with oil-based ink on fabric for decorative use, too.

[Former_Member]

Thanks so much! Any others?

[Former_Member]

I'd suggest trying wax and cold water dyes, print with the wax on the fabric (wood or hard rubber block) and then cold water dye, let dry, set with fixative (if dye isn't fast)then boil to get wax out.

[Former_Member]

I've had several t-shirts from printers that used oil-based ink and set with tossing it into the dryer on high heat and the image is still in good condition.

[Former_Member]

I used speedball water based inks for my towels they work really well.

[Former_Member]

I suggest using a silkscreen ink made for textiles. It is waterbased, and I personally do not recommend printing with oil-based inks on fabrics that are to be worn or handled by people. If you plan on washing this fabric in the future, like say if it was a t-shirt or tablecloth, then you will need to pre-wash the fabric before you print your design on it.

Then after printing, you would iron the ink to heat-set it onto your fabric, and it would then be permanent. Jacquard, Permaset, and Speedball all make silkscreen ink for textile use. Try checking out Dharma Trading's website, or your local art supply store. Hope that helps!

[Former_Member]

Thanks!