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  • How to Screen Print with Paper Stencils

    How to Screen Print with Paper Stencils

    In this project we will show you how to screen print onto paper using paper stencils. With this method, you can print multiples of your designs in several layers of flat colour without having to make an exposed screen or using screen filler. When screen printing, ink is forced through a fine mesh onto a …
  • Getting a Drawn Design Ready for a Screen

    Getting a Drawn Design Ready for a Screen

    Screen printing is a brilliant way to make the most of your hand drawn designs. It enables you to print them multiple times for framed artwork or cards or to create your own fabrics, bags and t-shirts. You can use your designs to make into photographic screens yourself at home or we can make them … Continue reading "Getting a Drawn Design Ready for a Screen"
  • Printed Shrink Plastic Keyring

    Printed Shrink Plastic Keyring

    There is something really compelling about miniature objects. A miniature print sounds just too good to be true. Don’t worry about carving tiny detail – this project will shrink it down for you! Start with a sheet of Shrink Art Plastic – we’re using white. Cut out your desired shape with scissors or using a … Continue reading "Printed Shrink Plastic Keyring"
  • Printing a Solid Lino Block with a Baren

    Printing a Solid Lino Block with a Baren

    One of the hardest things to do when printing a relief block (lino, vinyl or wood) is to print solid blocks of colour.  There are quite a few choices to make and if you get these right then your printing will be much easier.  Ink – an oil based ink will print better than a …
  • Creating Layered Fabric Designs using Batik

    Creating Layered Fabric Designs using Batik

    Batik can be a really fiddly process that may seem a little scary to try at first – but it doesn’t have to be! In this project we have layered wax and dyes to create a wonderfully abstract fabric design that can be used for embroidery, quilting, lampshades, clothing or just a piece of artwork … Continue reading "Creating Layered Fabric Designs using Batik"
  • Printing Labels with Thermofax

    Printing Labels with Thermofax

    We have just launched our Ready Made Thermofaxes in a smaller size. The designs are the same as the Medium Ready Mades – just smaller (most images are about 6cm square). Thermofaxes are like a light weight screen and are great for printing your own textiles or papers. If you don’t know what a Thermofax … Continue reading "Printing Labels with Thermofax"
  • Printing with the Xcut Xpress

    Printing with the Xcut Xpress

    The Xcut Xpress is traditionally used as a die cutting machine but has found a whole new life as a printing press! This small scale machine is portable, affordable and can produce amazing quality prints. We used our Xcut Xpress with Extended Print Bed and Felt to produce a linocut, a drypoint etching and a …
  • Thermofax Printed Garments

    Thermofax Printed Garments

    I have been longing to get my sewing machine out since I saw the gorgeous selection of patterns and fabrics that The Draper’s Daughter have on their website.           They stock some beautiful linens and denims that are perfect for printing to make your garments a complete one off. I chose to start with Top … Continue reading "Thermofax printed garments"
  • Multi Block Printing on Fabric with Easy Carve

    Multi Block Printing on Fabric with Easy Carve

    This project uses just one block of Easy Carve to create a two colour block print on fabric. This is an adaptable technique that will have you printing yardage in no time! Start by drawing your design out onto a piece of Easy Carve. Try using a pencil to map out your image and then …
  • Testing the Differences Between Lino Blocks

    Testing the Differences Between Lino Blocks

    Here at Handprinted we are always getting asked to explain the difference between all the lino relief blocks available. It can be very confusing knowing whether to choose traditional lino or try an alternative such as Softcut or Vinyl. To help you decide on the right material for you, we’ve tested five different blocks in … "
  • Printing Wrapping Paper for Christmas!

    Printing Wrapping Paper for Christmas!

    Printing your own wrapping paper is an easy way to add a personal touch to presents. We know you’re all really busy this time of year so we’ve got four quick ways of creating lovely wrapping papers. Why not get children involved too? Thermofax Printing Start with a black pen drawing or image. Have a …
  • Printing with Chine Collé

    Printing with Chine Collé

    Chine Collé is a technique that allows you to add colour to your prints without making another block. Using Chine Collé you are able to print on much finer, more delicate papers which are bonded onto a more sturdy paper during the printing process. Japanese papers are often used but you can try tissue papers, …
  • Printing with Block Printing Medium and acrylic paint

    Printing with Block Printing Medium and acrylic paint

    Block Printing Medium transforms acrylic paints into usable block printing inks. Simply mix the medium with your paints and roll onto your block! Here’s how: Mix your Block Printing Medium with acrylic paint in a ratio of 3:2. If you want to print in a specific colour, mix your acrylic colour first and …
  • Fabric Printing with Vegetables!

    Fabric Printing with Vegetables!

    This project is a quick and easy way to get stuck into printing. It’s brilliant for children and just as good for grown-ups too! If you’re stuck in a rut with your printmaking, try this quick project to reignite your imagination and get those creative (vegetable) juices flowing. Raid the fridge for a selection of …
  • Printing an Easy Card Cut Collagraph

    Printing an Easy Card Cut Collagraph

    Collagraphy is a printing process in which a collaged plate is made and printed from.The different surfaces on the plate print varied tones and textures. Natural materials, papers and mediums can be  added and are usually covered in a layer of shellac or varnish that is left to dry before printing. Here’s our method for …
  • Using Textile Foil with a Thermofax

    Using Textile Foil with a Thermofax

    Textile Foil is a brilliant way to bring more metallic vibrancy to your fabrics. It’s available in a wide range of colours and is easy to apply using Foil Adhesive. It’s even washable! In this project, we have applied the Foil Adhesive using a Custom Thermofax Screen. A thermofax is like a small silk screen that …
  • Relief Printmaking with Japanese Vinyl

    Relief Printmaking with Japanese Vinyl

    As soon as we received our first batch of printmaking vinyl we were keen to start gouging into it. This vinyl cuts beautifully and smoothly and can achieve very fine detail. There is a blue side and a green side, both of which can be used for carving. The centre of the vinyl is black …
  • Making a Layered Batik

    Making a Layered Batik

    Back in March last year we made a reduction linocut from a rather handsome picture of our very own Handprinted dog, Fletcher (of ‘Fletcher the Screen Printing Dog’ fame). The reduction lino process lends itself really well to this kind of image because of the tonal build up in the fur. You start by carving …
  • Perfect Fabric Prints with Indian Wooden Blocks

    Perfect Fabric Prints with Indian Wooden Blocks

    Indian Blocks come in a wide variety of designs perfect for printing onto fabric and paper. It can be a bit tricky to achieve an even, bold print on fabric so here’s our method of printing with these blocks! Handprinted Fabric Paints are perfect for printing these blocks onto fabric. We’ve scooped out a little …
  • Transferring an Image onto Lino

    Transferring an Image onto Lino

    This week we wanted to test a technique for transferring an image onto lino using a printed image and an iron. It worked surprisingly well and was very quick and easy. Here’s how we did it: Your image needs to be printed either through a laser printer or a photocopier (inkjet printers will not work). …