monotype print

Simplify nature and make a stencil

Sometimes simple works. I am inspired by textures and shapes that are all around me, yet to create a pleasing print I often need to simplify.

Monoprinted fabric Linda Germain

Monoprint on Fabric – recycle a print from last year and added 3 flower shapes

Monoprinting fabric with stencils and the gelatin plate Linda Germain

Another gelatin plate print on fabric.

Monoprinting with the gelatin and glycerin plate on fabric is always an experimental surprise. You can pull prints very quickly  and I often work on 10 or more pieces of fabric at once.

I like to work parts of the plate or fabric, rather than covering the whole print at one time. Recently, I discovered that it is a good idea to have plenty of fabric with coordinating colors, so that I can put the pieces together for a final project.

Enjoy a short video of the prints I pulled today.

Give this printmaking technique a try. Get the free recipe below and start pulling prints on paper or fabric very soon.
Make a Glycerin & Gelatin Printing Plate Now!
Get the FREE recipe to make a gel printing plate

Additionally, you will receive a weekly email about printmaking, ideas, tips and courses.

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Sewing hand printed fabric into Pillow covers

Today I made a couple of pillow covers with some gelatin printed fabric.

Measure and cut hand printed fabric to make pillow covers

I simply cut the fabric 1″ bigger than the pillow form. Sewed 3 sides with the machine.

Hand sew the last edge of the pillow cover

Sew 2″ in on each edge of the 4th side. Insert form and whip stitch the rest by hand.

Monoprinted pillow cover - linda germain

Happy with the results!

If you would like to learn to make hand printed fabric for your fiber projects then check out the details and join us in the next session of Monoprinting Fabric – with the gelatin plate. It is an easy experimental process that can give a wide range of printed marks.

This online printmaking course is for anyone who wants to learn to gelatin print on fabric. We will start with the basics and go from there. If you already are familiar with gelatin printmaking, then you will develop nuanced marks and details that are possible with this process.

Read more on the printmaking workshop page. Registration opens soon.

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Monoprinted projects using the gelatin plate

Coasters made with monoprinted fabric Linda Germain

Coasters are a quick and easy way to use small experimental prints.

Cover a small note book with hand stitched pieces of hand printed fabric

You can piece small portions of prints, hand stitch and then cover a notebook.

Stitch and frame monoprints on fabric

Piecing and framing monoprinted fabrics is a way to enjoy them all day long.

Hand stitching can transform monoprints on fabric

Lots of hand stitching can transform your monoprints on fabric into Art Quilts.

Experimental wash outs and layers hand printing fabric

Experimental wash outs and painted layers can create beautiful prints for framing.

Piece small monotype prints together for larger projects

Piece small monotype prints together for larger projects

linda-germain-5912

Make a “patch” and cover a logo on a tote bag

Want to explore monoprinting on fabric with the gelatin plate? You are in luck! Class starts soon. Read the details on the printmaking workshop page here.

Want to Hand Print Unique Fabric?

Join today and get notice of future classes.

You will also get weekly emails about printmaking, tips, tools and classes.

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Screen printing made easy

screen prints that are possible with the thermofax kit by linda germainYou can do it!

You are familiar with the idea of screen printing. Everyone has a screen printed T-shirt. Maybe you are even familiar with Andy Warhol’s famous screen prints as shown below.

Screen shot Google search Warhol

The idea is simple. You push/pull ink through tiny holes in a design on a screen. The trick is to get the design on the screen.

Thermo Fax machine for screen printingThermofax machines do this for us. And you do not need the expensive machine to get started.

I have the machine and I made a starter kit for you. You can be screen printing by the end of the week.

8 piece Thermofax Screen starter
8 piece Thermofax Screen starter kit with Pulling Screen Prints the online printmaking course with Linda Germain

This starter kit gives you the 8 designs shown above. They are great for small projects. You can prints, cards, mixed media projects, t-shirts and more.

Video: Screen Printing made easy with Thermofax kit

Watch the motion of my hand. It is so easy to make the print

This Kit is no longer available.

  • Show you how to cut, tape and stabilize  the screens
  • Print with the screens
  • Choose substrates to print on
  • Get you started

You will also get information on how to set up your workspace and clean and care for  your new screens.

This Kit is no longer available.

A table cover, scarf, note cards and handbag all made with the thermofax screen starter kit images.

thermofax screen printing kit projects by linda germain

 

Generally I advise folks to use proper screen printing ink so that the ink does not dry too fast and ruin the screen. But a recent shopping trip revealed that the local craft stores are not carrying basic screen printing ink. I am so disappointed.

That lead me to experiment with acrylic craft paint. And I will say that is it possible to print with the craft paint BUT you MUST clean the screen IMMEDIATELY. So the ink does not dry in the holes and ruin your screen. And I do I mean immediately.

screen printing with thermofax screen and acrylic paint breaking the rules

All craft paints are different and the cheaper they are the more water they have and the less pigment. I liked how the Martha Stewart satin worked. If the paint is too watery it can not hold the edge.

Another alternative is to order the Golden screen printing medium, mix that with you acrylic craft paint and you should be good to go.

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Stencil Making Workshop starts soon

Watch this video and get some idea of images and types of stencils that we will be exploring in the Make Stencil Workshop, the new online printmaking class.

Stencils are the foundation of Printmaking

In this online printmaking workshop, we are going to making lots of stencils, both the masking type and the traditional style. Then you will have tools and imagery for gelatin printmaking, screen printing, maybe for thermofax screens and most certainly for traditional stenciling projects.

The focus of the course is going to be tool creation, plenty of time to practice and then a few projects peppered in.

Read the details and join us today: Make Stencil Workshop

Stencil Making Workshop starts soon Read More »