Blog

Hello, I am John Coe, founder, publisher and designer of Pressing Matters magazine – a new printmaking publication that takes a look at the people, process and passion behind the art form. I approach the curation of the magazine from a ‘creatively curious’ standpoint and find myself getting arm deep trying out new printmaking techniques … Continue reading "Meet the Maker: John Coe from Pressing Matters Magazine"

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 …

Hello, My name is Hayley and for the past week I have been at Handprinted for work experience. I have loved every minute of it especially when I took part in the screen printing work shop onto fabric. It was my first time screen printing and I cannot wait to do it again. We began … Continue reading "Screen Printing on to Fabric Workshop"

I (Shirley) have been on a trip to Tokyo to attend a five day Mokuhanga course (Japanese Woodblock) and to meet with a few of our suppliers. I have never been anywhere like Tokyo before so it was an experience on lots of different levels. I have been lucky enough to attend a couple of … Continue reading "Mokuhanga in Tokyo!"

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"

Hello! My name is Jenny Sibthorp and I’m a textile designer based in the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset. I work predominantly with screen printed linen and leather, although some of my designs are now reproduced onto stationery and culinary ware too.   Describe your printmaking process.   Screen printing. All of my designs start … Continue reading "Meet the Maker: Jenny Sibthorp"

Lennie & Co create unisex clothing for kids, that feature playful prints that capture the fun of being little. Created by graphic designer and mother, Amy Walker, Lennie & Co. is a collection of stylish kidswear that works hard and plays harder.  Describe your printmaking process. In the early days I block printed personlised t-shirts … Continue reading "Meet the Maker: Lennie & Co"

Our Handprinted Tea Towel Exchange for WaterAid is in full swing! Yesterday we opened the studio to anyone wanting to print their three tea towels and we got some lovely results. Tea towels aren’t due in to us until the end of June so there’s still time to take part. We’d love to raise lots … Continue reading "Printing Tea Towels for WaterAid"

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"

Hello! My name is Laura Danby and I am an illustrator / designer / print maker and creator from sunny Brighton! Inspired by simple iconic Scandi folk artwork and retro styling from the 50s, I love taking a form and simplifying it into a bold design which can be printed, patterned, made into jewellery and … Continue reading "Meet the Maker: Laura Danby"

I’m Pragya, an architect, designer, linocut printmaker, and now the creative force behind Hedge and Hog Prints. After working in academia for several years, I was inspired to create something caring, as well as socially and environmentally aware. As a Mum to three girls, I am passionate about creating beauty in our lives through my … Continue reading "Meet the Maker: Pragya Agarwal"

Meet London based artist and designer Sarah Hamilton and enter our competition for a chance to win a copy of her new card making book ‘House of Cards‘. Sarah has been running her own creative business for over 20 years. She describes her work as ‘Joyful, fresh and contemporary, with a Mid-Century Scandinavian feel. Colours, … Continue reading "Meet the Maker: Sarah Hamilton + Giveaway!"

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 …

I am a printmaker based in Bude in North Cornwall. I make print editions centred round themes of food, still life imagery and the domestic everyday. Describe your printmaking process. At the moment I am working mainly in linocut but I also use alternative ways to reproduce my images by making adaptations to the traditional … Continue reading "Meet the Maker: Helen Murgatroyd"

Even if you have never heard of Swifty you will probably have seen or even owned a piece of his artwork. In the late 80s he was plucked straight from art school in Manchester by Neville Brody to work on The Face  – the most influential magazine for music and graphic design. He has worked … Continue reading "Meet the Maker: Ian ‘SWIFTY’ Swift"

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"

Hello! My name is Miesje Chafer and I am textile designer, screen printer and maker. I live down in Southsea and work at The Sorting Office studio in Eastleigh, Hampshire. I have an unquenchable thirst for fabric, pattern and colour and love nothing more than knocking up a prototype that’s been niggling away at the … Continue reading "Meet the Maker: Miesje Chafer"

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 …

I’m Eric Gaskell, born in Wigan, going through school in 60’s and 70’s. I was always good at drawing but only really finding out about art as a 17 year old sixth former. Before then I’d never heard of even Van Gogh or Picasso (let alone anyone else). For the last 37 years, since leaving … Continue reading "Meet the Maker: Eric Gaskell"

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 … "