Mixed Media Printmaking Blog

Top 3 supplies for monoprinting on fabric

fabric prints / Linda Germain / May 13, 2021

1 – I think that the most important supply is nice old 100 % cotton sheets from the thrift store.

These high quality old sheets:

Create a freedom to explore, because they are not precious
are pre-shrunk and ready to print on
usually absorb ink/paint nicely

2 – A spongey brayer that fits your print size. I like this 2″ soft foam brayer with a smooth surface (red handle) that I found at hobby lobby. I like this size because I work small and textured. The speedball soft rubber brayers work too.

3 – Ink or paint that stays workable and is compatible with your project and fabric. I did a blog post on my experience, but it is best to experiment on your own.

Other supplies, stencils, mark making tools and the gelatin plate.

If you are interested in joining us in the online printmaking class, Monoprinting Fabric, then read the details on the workshop page.

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Mark up your sketchbook

I recently made a sketchbook with some monoprinted book cloth.

I used a sewn tab binding. It is pretty sturdy. And it is small enough to take to the woods.

But first I am going to:

scribble with pencil
add relief stamp paptterns
glue in some flower prints
doodle with marker

You may think what would be left for sketching? And you maybe right. A lot of the pages will be marked up with information.

But it is my book. And what I have come to understand is that in my books the linear drawing may not be the star. So if the book is filled with words or printed marks, then that is okay.

I offer you this challenge to use your sketchbook in ways that support your art practice and to let go of any limiting ideas of what your sketchbook should be. I think you will experience more joy.

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Printing with little spring flowers

inspiration, monotype print, tools / Linda Germain / May 7, 2021

Everything is starting to bloom in New England.

Today I gathered some violets and apple blossoms from the woods.

Then I plate with printing them with the XCut Xpress craft press.

I had some pleasing results.

I tried to keep the buds alive by keeping them in water until I was ready to print.

I just positioned the flower on dry print paper.
Covered with drawing paper and felt
Then ran it through the press

It is amazing the delicate details that are captured. Enjoy!

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Printing on Fabric – feel and use

fabric prints, printing inks, tools / Linda Germain / May 6, 2021

When choosing to monoprint on fabric you may want to think about:

your intended use for the printed fabric
how you want it to feel
does it need to be washable

I don’t always know what I will use the fabric for, but I often want it to feel soft and be washable. The main factor that affects these qualities is the kind of ink or paint that you print with.

I have tried lots of brands with monoprinting fabric on the gelatin plate. And I think every artist will have their own preference. You can read about my experience with the different inks in this blog post.

The other factor that affects the hand/feel of the material is how thickly you apply the ink. Often with monotype printing on paper, I can print several layers of ink and I try to limit the layers to 1 or 2 when printing on fabric.

If you would like to explore Monoprinting Fabric with the gelatin plate, then check out the details of the upcoming online class and join us.

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