Monotype on Fabric using Screen Printing Inks
The satisfyingly fuzzy printed lines of a monotype are usually reserved for prints on paper. However, using the method below you can create prints onto fabric with the same texture and line quality, making fast and spontaneous fabric designs to sew up into bags, quilts, or whatever you fancy.
Fabric Screen Printing Ink is ideal for this technique - it has a soft handle, can be heat set on fabric with an iron, and will stay wet long enough to take a print. Begin by rolling ink onto a plastic or glass sheet. Use a Textile Roller - a standard roller will slip in the ink. Drypoint plastic makes a great monotype plate.
Gently lay your fabric on top - don't press it down! It's important the fabric gets minimal contact with the ink.
Place a piece of paper on top and draw your design. You can also trace an image if you would prefer not to draw freehand. Don't touch the fabric - hold the paper at the edge if you need to. Use the pencil quite upright and press fairly firmly for best results.
Peel off the fabric to reveal the print.
When your prints are dry, iron them on the hottest setting that the fabric will allow until the fabric feels too hot to comfortably touch. This will set the ink and make the fabric washable.
Watch the whole process below:
You will need:
- Plastic or glass plate - drypoint plastic or an inking plate work well
- Textile Roller
- Screen Printing Ink for Fabric like Versatex, Permaset or Speedball
- Fabric to print onto - poplin is ideal
- Paper
- Pencil
- Iron