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  • Block Printing a Two Colour Repeat Pattern

    Block Printing a Two Colour Repeat Pattern

    This is an easy method for two colour block printing on fabric that doesn’t require a computer at all so grab your pencil case and have a go: ...
  • Printing a Christmas Star

    Printing a Christmas Star

    This is a very simple and easy Christmas project. Just whip out your screen, grab an old cardboard box and a squeegee and within half an hour you’ll have this handmade stunner for the top of your tree. Start by drawing your star shape on a piece of leftover cardboard. Any size is fine, …
  • Block Printed Chair

    Block Printed Chair

    If you’re a lover of relief printing (or would like to be) but squeezing little prints through a press isn’t your thing, here’s an idea for block printing that’s a little different: We recently got hold of a couple of lovely old chairs that were in need of a little TLC. We’re using a piece …
  • Colour Blending with Versacraft and Mastercut

    Colour Blending with Versacraft and Mastercut

    There is so much that you can do with Versacraft Ink Pads. You can use them to print on paper, shrink plastic, polymer clay, wood, porcelain, leather and fabric. Our latest project for these versatile ink pads is colour blending. Here’s how we used Mastercut andVersacraft to make a printed tea towel: Start by drawing …
  • Drypoint Printing

    Drypoint Printing

    Drypoint is an intaglio printmaking method that involves scratching an image into a plate with a pointed tool. These lines create a burr that holds ink, meaning that the print reveals the drawing. Intaglio printmaking is the opposite of relief printmaking as it is the positive marks that are printed rather than the areas that are left behind...
  • Reduction Linocut

    Reduction Linocut

    The reduction lino cut is a method of block printing in which each colour layer is taken from the same block. More lino is removed from the block for each layer and each colour is printed on top of the last. This means that an entire edition must be printed in one go – once...
  • Block Printing onto Fabric with Permaset Aqua and Speedy Carve

    Block Printing onto Fabric with Permaset Aqua and Speedy Carve

    It can be difficult to find the right inks for block printing onto fabric, especially if you haven’t got a few days to wait for it to dry. We have loved screen printing with Permaset Aqua Textile Inks, so we wanted to try block printing with them too! You will need: Permaset Aqua Textile Ink …
  • How to Make a Tie Dye Top with Colour Magnet

    How to Make a Tie Dye Top with Colour Magnet

    We have been enjoying the sunshine here at Handprinted so we thought we would show you how to make a Summery top out of an old plain T-shirt using Colour Magnet and Procion Dyes! You will need: Light coloured T-Shirt Fabric scissors Pencil, paper and a fine paint brush Screen Parcel Tape Drawing Fluid Screen Filler …
  • Printing Postcards onto Ply!

    Printing Postcards onto Ply!

    Our Japanese Ply is also perfect for posting – thin and light enough to be classed as a standard letter by Royal Mail. Who wouldn’t want to receive this hardwearing postcard? This method of printing can also be used for paper and is a great low-cost press that will give you surprisingly good, consistent results. …
  • Ice Dyeing

    Ice Dyeing

    You will need: White prewashed T-shirt Procion MX Dyes Soda Ash (fixative) Dust Mask Calgon PT (if you are dyeing in a hard water area) Rubber Gloves and an apron – these dyes will stain. Ice Cooling rack or similar Plastic bowl Bubble wrap or plastic bag Mix three tablespoons of Soda Ash with warm …
  • Woodcut Postcards

    Woodcut Postcards

    A simple step by step to printing postcards using Japanese Ply and Caligo Safe Wash Relief Inks. You will need: Soft Drawing Pencil – we used a 6B Paper 110mm x 160mm Japanese Ply Blank Postcard the same size Powergrip Woodcut tools Sandpaper Brush Glass plate or Inking tray Roller Caligo Safe Wash Relief Ink …
  • Registering Screen Printed Layers on Fabric using acetate registration sheet

    Registering Screen Printed Layers on Fabric using acetate registration sheet

    You will need: Mount board cut into an ‘L’ shape right angle A plastic sheet such as table covering with a true right angle on the bottom left-hand corner. It is useful to put some coloured tape on this corner to make it more rigid and easier to see Line up the bottom left-hand corner …
  • Using Speedball Speed Clean to Remove Screen Filler

    Using Speedball Speed Clean to Remove Screen Filler

    You will need: Speedball Speed Clean A nylon paint brush A nylon scrubbing brush Lots of hot water A screen that has been used with screen filler Use a nylon brush to coat both sides of your screen with Screen Filler. Leave for 3-5 minutes. Use a nylon scrubbing brush to work the Speed Clean …
  • Screen Printed Wrapping Paper Using Screen Filler

    Screen Printed Wrapping Paper Using Screen Filler

    You will need: Screen Squeegee Screen Filler Disappearing Pen Ink Parcel Tape Kraft Paper Draw the image on a piece of paper. Using a disappearing pen or pencil, trace the image onto the screen. Raise the edges of the screen away from the table by placing a wedge, such as a coin, under each corner. …
  • How to Use SolarFast on Fabric

    How to Use SolarFast on Fabric

    For this project you will need: A high contrast image SolarFast SolarFast Wash T-Shirt Brush/Foam Brush Newsprint/Newspaper A sheet of Glass OHP film or similar A sunny day! Create a negative image in a programme such as Photoshop by inverting a high contrast black and white image. We used one of our dog – Fletcher! …
  • Tie Dyeing 5 Ways – Random Dyed Leggings

    Tie Dyeing 5 Ways – Random Dyed Leggings

    These black and white leggings were purchased in the sale at New Look but never worn. We mixed up three squirty bottles of dye putting 1 teaspoon of Soda Ash, 1 teaspoon of dye and 1 teaspoon of Urea in each along with 200ml of warm water. The dyes we used were Golden Yellow, Scarlet …
  • Tie Dyeing 5 Ways – Part 3 – Scrunch Dyed T-Shirt

    Tie Dyeing 5 Ways – Part 3 – Scrunch Dyed T-Shirt

    One plain white, cheap cotton T-shirt, made to look very Isabel Marant! Here was our inspiration: Take one plain white T-shirt and soak it in water. Scrunch the T-shirt up and tie into a bundle. Mix 1 teaspoon of Charcoal Procion MX Dye with 100mls of warm water. Mix 1 tablespoon of Soda Ash into …
  • Tie Dyeing 5 Ways – Part 2 – Dip Dyed Denim Waistcoat

    Tie Dyeing 5 Ways – Part 2 – Dip Dyed Denim Waistcoat

    Next up was a cropped denim waistcoat. We wanted to dip dye it. This method can be used for a huge variety of garments. First we gave the complete waistcoat a good soak in a bowl of water. Mix 1 teaspoon of Procion MX Turquoise into 100ml of tepid water. Dissolve 3 tablespoons of table …
  • Basic Batik

    Basic Batik

    A simple guide to batik.  Step 1 Pin the fabric tightly to a frame using silk pins or drawing pins. Draw the design on lightly using a pencil. Step 2 Mix up a dye base using 1 litre warm water with 10 tbsp Urea and 1 tsp of Calgon. Mix 1/2 tsp Lemon Yellow Procion …
  • Paper Stencil Screen Printing

    Paper Stencil Screen Printing

    A quick introductory guide to screen printing with a paper stencil. You can download a printable pdf. here! You will need: Screen Squeegee to fit Paper to cut your stencil – photocopy paper is good – layout paper is better Craft knife Water-based fabric ink such as Speedball A padded surface to print onto – a folded …