Printing workshops information and supplies
Supplies
We sell some printing supplies in our studio in Chiswick.
This includes fabric paint (50ml pots), cotton blanks (tea towels, shopping bags, gift bags, cushion covers, aprons) and paper blanks (notebooks, greeting cards)
Other items you'll need include:
Wooden blocks - Try the Indian Block Print Co. or have a look on Etsy where you can buy direct from Indian makers.
Sponges - Any small sponge will do but some those on a stick can be handy. Try Amazon.
Printing mat - You need something with a bit of 'give', such as an old yoga mat (at least 4mm thick) or folded towel usually works just as well.
Paint/ ink tray - If you don’t have one, you can use an old plate or piece of glass.
Colour wheel - this will really help you work out which combinations of colours work well.
Fabric blanks - We sell fabric blanks from our studio. If you want to buy some fabric, you’ll need to check if your paint is suitable for natural or synthetic fabrics. Generally, choose something that is a light colour, flat, with a close weave and not coated with anything. Some paint colours will not show up on dark fabrics. You’ll need to wash and iron the fabric before you start printing.
Practice fabric - a cheap cotton or calico, or an old bedsheet.
Ruler or tape measure
Rags or kitchen roll to wipe blocks
Iron - many textile paints require ironing after printing.
Acrylic paint - we are not fans of acrylic paint as it dries quickly on the blocks and is hard to wash off. It can only be used on paper not fabric. If you have some, make sure to practice getting the consistency right, you might need to thin it out.
Cartridge paper 220gsm - this is a heavyweight paper which is good for art prints. Available at high street stationers.
Introduction to wood block printing onto paper
Introduction to wood block printing onto fabric
Introduction to lino printing onto fabric
As above for block printing but instead of wooden blocks you'll need:
Lino and mounted lino - Mounted lino has a fibreboard block attached which can help press down during printing. However, you’ll need to mark on top of the block side where the edges of the motif are, because you can’t see it when you turnover the lino side down to print.
Alternatively, you can use unmounted/regular lino and cut around the edges of the motif for a more precise placement. The application of pressure may not be as even as with the block.
Lino tools - For most lino block carving, a basic tool set is all you need. This one is what we use.
Pencil or graphite paper – you can hand draw your design straight onto the block with a pencil, or trace an image with graphite paper underneath which will transfer the image to the block. You can get this from most stationery shops.