How To Print By Hand
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Hand Printing Methods For DIY Designs
Expertly crafted, handmade items sell for top dollar because they offer a unique sense of style that can't be found anywhere else.
Express yourself by embellishing old items into something new! Add some flair to your jeans, bags, pillows, tablecloths, curtains or anything else that is boring and drab. Create personalized gifts for friends, family, baby showers, weddings, etc.
You will find lots of printing ideas, tutorials, tips, tricks and supplies to inspire you right here. I've even found some pretty clever and inexpensive ways to use household items and common craft supplies to make inexpensive screenprinting equipment!
Are You A Do-It-Yourselfer?
Our family thrives on creative project ideas!
Recently, with the addition of some new sewing machines, we've started some making lots of fashionable clothes and accessories by altering or embellishing old items.
Now we're learning how to print by hand and make our own cute t-shirt designs that would cost a fortune at the mall. By using inexpensive, blank tees and some simple household items we've created loads of one-of-a-kind pieces that always get lots of compliments. My oldest daughter has started making custom t-shirts for her friends as gifts too. We've learned a few lessons along the way, for example, bleach printing is best left to the warm weather months when it's comfortable to work outside without worrying about acid washing your winter coat!
A Great Addition To Your Craft Bookshelf
Everything you need to know about printing by hand!
Printing by Hand: A Modern Guide to Printing with Handmade Stamps, Stencils, and Silk Screens
Amazon Price: $15.94 (as of 02/16/2012)
It's the natural inconsistencies-the accidental differences between one finished piece and another-that make hand-printed fabrics, papers, furniture, and works of art so interesting. The quirks are what show the maker's intimate involvement in the process, and it's that unique quality that first attracted textile designer and illustrator Lena Corwin to hand-printing.
Even though decorative prints are more in vogue than ever, there was until now no up-to-date hand-printing guide-no single source explaining the tools and materials that are used today, or reflecting a contemporary aesthetic. Corwin has given us that guide.
Using step-by-step instructions and up-close photos, Corwin teaches crafters everything they need to know to master stamping, stenciling, and screen printing, from making their own printing devices to trouble-shooting when plans go awry. Her inimitable collection of projects ranges from stamped stationery and simple-to-sew pouches, to stenciled tote bags and furniture, to screen-printed bed linens and upholstery fabric. There's even a silk-screened dog bed. The author has created original artwork for each project (full-size patterns are included in an envelope at the back of the book), so that every crafter can achieve the same beautiful results. Or maybe not quite the same. Remember: It's the subtle differences that make hand-printing so special and alluring.
Freezer Paper Printing On Fabric
The poor man's screenprinting technique!
How To Print With Freezer Paper
Once you learn this method, you won't be able to stop!
- How To Make A Stencil Using Freezer Paper
- Learn how to make a stencil using freezer paper to embellish baby clothes, onesies, hats and more. Make fun baby clothes and baby crafts using stencils.
- Freezer Paper T-shirt Tutorial
- Freezer paper is quick and oh and fun, of course.. The lines are more crisp than what you get with fabric marker, and it is quicker than screen printing, unless you want multiple copies.
- Freezer Paper Stenciling Tutorial
- Let's not call this a formal tutorial, but rather some more show and tell, and thoughts on the process.
Freezer Paper Printing Supply List
You'll new a few simple and inexpensive household items.
- Clean, washed t-Shirt or fabric, textile, etc. Do NOT use fabric softener.
- Freezer paper on a roll or ink jet printable sheets. Do NOT use wax paper!
- Fabric paint or acrylic paint mixed with textile medium.
- Paint brushes or sponges.
- Cutting board.
- Xacto knife.
- Cardboard, wood or plastic to place between shirt layers.
- Masking tape.
- Iron
Freezer Paper Printing Instructions
Follow these easy steps and have fun!
- Draw your design on the freezer paper or cut to 8 1/2 x 11" sheets and print the design with an ink jet printer. *Print on the non-shiny side!
- Carefully use the Xacto knife to cut out your stencil, saving any "floating" pieces that will need to be placed on the design when printing.
- Place the paper stencil on your shirt or fabric with the shiny side facing down.
- Iron the stencil in place on a medium high setting. Add any "floating" pieces that need to placed in the open areas and iron.
- Place your cardboard, plastic or wood piece inside the shirt to keep the paint from bleeding through the layers.
- Use the paintbrush or sponge to paint inside the stencil. *Dabbing works better than back and forth brush strokes and helps to prevent bleeds on the edge of the stencil.
- Let the paint dry completely!
- After the paint is dry, peel off the paper stencil.
- Additional stencil layers or paint colors can be added at this time.
- Do not wash immediately. Let your paint cure for a few days to make it permanent.
- The paint will soften after it's washed!
Handprinted t-shirts photo by diything / CC BY-SA 2.0
Printable Freezer Paper Sheets For Stencils
Great for freezer paper printing stencils (shown above).
How To Make & Cut Stencils
Use your own designs to create custom prints!
Stencil Cutting Tools
The heat in this tool cuts through stencils easily!
Wall Lenk L12SCK Cutlass Stencil Cutting Kit
Amazon Price: $16.00 (as of 02/16/2012)
Developed by Wall Lenk, the L12SCK Cutlass Stencil Cutting Kit is a tool that uses heat to "cut" designs in plastic stencil materials such as Mylar or acetate, and some resist materials used for etching, sandblasting glass, and air brush. The kit includes 18 watt, 120vac, 2-wire professional stencil cutting pen, two different points-WB25Dt pointed tip, and WB25BT angled tip, tool stand, and edge remover disc.
Stencil Blanks
Cut your own designs!
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9x12" - 12 sheets
Scratch-Art Wax-O Stencil Paper -
12x18 - 12 sheets
Scratch-Art Wax-O Stencil Paper -
8.5x11" - 100 sheets of .003
Grafix Clear-Lay Acetate Alternative 8 1/2 in. x 11 in. .003 thick pack of 100 -
8.5x11" - 100 sheets of .005
Grafix Clear-Lay Acetate Alternative 8 1/2 in. x 11 in. .005 thick pack of 100
Clear-Lay is the economical alternative to acetate in a convenient 8 1/2 in. x 11 in. letter size. Good for making transparencies and overhead visuals. A clear flat film designed for overlays, stencils and protective coverings. Features include flatness, optical clarity, dimensional stability, archival quality, no plasticizers, acid free.
Clear Transparency Film For Stencils
Print your design onto your stencil with an ink jet printer!
Transparency film for use with marking pens.
Step-By-Step Stencil Printing
Lots of cool stencils are included with this book!
Stencil 101: Make Your Mark with 25 Reusable Stencils and Step-by-Step Instructions
Amazon Price: $11.17 (as of 02/16/2012)
Customization is king. With this awesome entirely original stencil collection anyone can learn to make their mark. Our handy portfolio format includes 25 reusable stencils along with tips and tricks for stenciling on all sorts of surfaces-from walls and furniture to T-shirts cards and even cake! Stencil maverick Ed Roth has chosen his favorite designs ranging from urban-cool boom boxes and power lines to naturally fanciful sparrows and branches. Simple instructions take readers step-by-step through the process while photographs provide ample inspiration. Best of all these stencils can be used over and over again. Simply clean dry and store them in the pocket glued at back!
Photo courtesy of mutednarayan / CC BY-SA 2.0
Awesome Stencil How To Book
Learn cool tricks and tips to make great stencil prints!
Stencil Me In
Amazon Price: $10.57 (as of 02/16/2012)
Bold silhouettes are bursting out all over, enlivening everything from home furnishings and gift items to fashion and accessories. They look fabulous-and stenciling is a simple, wonderful way to achieve that exciting graphic style. Not only does this refreshingly modern book provide boundless inspiration and instruction on the craft, but it actually includes 28 removable acetate and laser-cut stencils to use on everything from t-shirts to pillows.
Beginners will learn how to apply the stencils to diverse surfaces, working with materials ranging from paint and ink to spray, etching cream, and even bleach. See how to combine colors, do overlays, create masks, and produce personalized, handmade stencils. And, when things don't go exactly as planned, there's a helpful troubleshooting section to turn to.
But the real fun comes with the wildly creative projects for walls, furniture, tote bags, leg warmers, and more. Each enclosed stencil is showcased on at least three items using a variety of styles and techniques. So whether it's a skyscraper silhouette or pop-art flowers, a retro robot or a graphic grouping of birds, these cool patterns will flood readers with ideas!
Try Printing On Colorful Floursack Towels
Liven up your kitchen or make personalized gifts!
Bleach Printing On Shirts And Fabric
DIY punk rock fashion made easy!
How To Print With Bleach
Own your style and create totally unique designs!
*When using bleach be careful not to spill or drip on your clothes or work area and it's always a good idea to work in well ventilated area, preferably outside.
*Only use chlorine bleach on 100% cellulose fiber (cotton) fabrics. Do NOT bleach polyester, nylon, or spandex.
*Remember that black fabrics may turn orange or yellow when bleached, not white.
Bleach Printing Supply List
Just simple household items are needed for this project.
- Clean, washed t-Shirt or fabric, textile, etc. Do NOT use fabric softener.
- Bleach or color remover.
- 3% hydrogen peroxide or Anti-Chlor.
- 2 spray bottles.
- Cardboard, wood or plastic to place between shirt layers.
- Stencils, stamps, cut out paper shapes, leaves, or any cool shaped objects that will not be harmed by bleach water.
- Optional: Bleach gel pen. (Shake well before using.) *See the orange box below to learn how to make your own bleach pen.
- Rubber gloves.
Bleach Printing Instructions
Be sure to have all your supplies ready before your start!
- Prepare your work area and cover anything that will be harmed by bleach.
- Fill one of the spray bottles with a mixture of 1 part water and 1 part bleach. Label it!
- Fill the second spray bottle with 3% hydrogen peroxide or Anti-Chlor. Label it!
- Stuff your shirt with newspaper or slide a board, plastic, etc. inside to keep the bleach from bleeding through the layers.
- Layout your pattern; place or sprinkle the objects or cutouts on top of the shirt to create a cool design. If using stencils, be sure to cover all the exposed, areas of the shirt around the outer edges of the stencil with plastic or cardboard to avoid discoloration from bleach drips or mist. *Skip Step 5 completely if you just want to create an acid-wash on your shirt.
- Spray the bleach on the shirt and wait until you get the desired, washed-out effect.
- Immediately spray the shirt with 3% hydrogen peroxide or Anti-Chlor to neutralize the bleach.
- Alternative Idea: Use stamps or a bleach gel pen instead of the spray bottle to create your design.
- Optional: Use fabric dyes to color the bleached areas of the shirt!
- Wash once separately before wearing.
Bleach Neutralizers
You need to neutralize chlorine bleach after applying it to your fabric or it will eat holes in it.
Anti-Chlor or 3% hydrogen peroxide will do the job.
WARNING:
Although it will neutralize the effects of chlorine, mixing bleach and vinegar can cause very toxic fumes! *See the box above for safer alternatives.
Children should not use bleach unsupervised and should be warned about the dangers of mixing chemicals.
Alternatives To Using Chlorine Bleach
Color removers have a similar effect on fabric as bleach.
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Jacquard iDye Fabric Dye-Color Remover
Each pack weighs 14 grams Use on all kinds of fabric to remove or lighten color of fabric. Does not contain bleach. -
Rit Dye Powder- Color Remover 2 Oz
Rit Color Remover removes or reduces fabric color before dyeing. -
Rit Dyes 2 oz. box color remover powder
Use RIT Color Remover before dying fabric to a lighter or different color.
Rit Dye Powder- Color Remover 2 Oz
Amazon Price: $2.09 (as of 02/16/2012)
Bleach Gel Pens
These work great for drawing designs on fabric!
Clorox Bleach Pen Gel, 2 oz (56 g)
Amazon Price: $1.19 (as of 02/16/2012)
These work great for drawing designs on t-shirts and fabric!
Shake well before using.
Bleach Pen Tip
It's easy to make your own bleach pens to write and doodle on fabric. Simply use a mixture of one Tbsp. bleach and one Tbsp. water and apply to your fabric with an old marker.
Bleach Pen Art photo by The Shopping Sherpa / CC BY-ND 2.0
The Surface Designer's Handbook
Amazon Price: $18.20 (as of 02/16/2012)
Beginning with studio practices and safety rules, this information-packed handbook is appropriate for both newcomers and experienced dyers but assumes that readers have a serious interest in textile design. An overview of dyeing starts with fibers and fabrics and discusses all aspects of the dyes favored by textile studios-fiber reactive, acid, vat, and disperse-before explaining discharging, screen printing, monoprinting, stamping, stenciling, resist dyeing, dévoré, and painting. Would-be fabric artists are advised along the way to identify a personal approach to dyeing-free spirit? rule-follower?-and color photographs of work by today's top fiber artists elucidate prevailing styles. Recipes and techniques are accompanied by step-by-step instructions with photographs, and a concealed spiral binding allows the book to lie flat. Ten appendices include a worksheet for recording chemicals, procedures, and costs for all projects; a guide to washing fabric; descriptions of stock solutions, thickeners, and steaming; a metric conversion table; and a guide to water temperatures.
Make Your Own Silk Screens For Printing
Creative and inexpensive screenprinting techniques!
The Printmaking Bible: The Complete Guide to Materials and Techniques
Amazon Price: $31.31 (as of 02/16/2012)
Perennially popular printmaking is enjoying a contemporary resurgence-but no comprehensive up-to-date manual on the subject exists. At over 400 pages and packed with 1 000 full-color photos and illustrations The Printmaking Bible is the definitive resource to the ins-and-outs of every variety of serious printmaking technique practiced today. In-depth instructions are accompanied by profiles that show how working artists create their prints. Historical information troubleshooting tips and an extensive resource section provide more invaluable tools. Perfect for students artists print aficionados and collectors this is truly the ultimate volume for anyone involved in this creative and influential art form.
Create Your Own Hand-Printed Cloth: Stamp, Screen & Stencil with Everyday Objects
Amazon Price: $16.29 (as of 02/16/2012)
Printmaking + Mixed Media
Amazon Price: $8.82 (as of 02/16/2012)
Reinterpreting traditional methods, this resource presents creative, affordable, and accessible techniques for mixed-media artists and printmakers of all experience levels looking to incorporate printed images onto paper or fabric. From screen printing to collagraphy to sun printing, the techniques are shown with step-by-step photographs and can be done without printing presses or special papers. A variety of projects are included to demonstrate a wide range of possible creations, such as fabric-arts books, hand-printed calendars, wall-art collages, aprons, holiday books, greeting cards, and more. For further inspiration beyond the projects, a gallery of completed works by the author and other artists make up the final portion of this resource.
Textile Medium For Painting On Fabric
Add this to acrylic paint when using on fabric!
Screenprinting Video Tutorials
Watch the entire printing process, -start to finish!
Screenprinting Kits & Supplies
Turn your garage into a textile art studio!
Screen Printing Kit, Screen Printing Starter Kit, Silk Screening Kit, Screen Printing Package, T-shirt Printing, T Shirt Package, Shirt Printing, Printing Shirts, Silkscreening Kit, Screen Print, Silk Screen
Amazon Price: $349.95 (as of 02/16/2012)
* The Silver 1x1 Aluminum Screen Printing Press w/ Lifetime Warranty
* Complete Supply Package, Everything You Need To Start Printing w/ 1 Pint of Black & White Ink
* Wagner Heat Gun For Ink Curing
* Toll Free Technical Support
* Complete Learn How To Print Screen Printing 101 DVD (5 + Hours Of Instruction) a $50 Value
Simple Screenprinting: Basic Techniques & Creative Projects
Amazon Price: $7.47 (as of 02/16/2012)
From decorative paper bags to elegant home furnishings, the 26 attractive projects in this beginner's manual will win converts to the simple, fabulous craft of screen printing. The entire printing process receives in-depth explanations and unfolds in numerous detailed photos. Find out how to select and mix inks, print a picture evenly, care for screens, and transform basic sketches into scale images for a design. Make a light exposure unit to create prints of drawings, photographs, and found objects. The fun begins when these techniques turn into projects, including a pretty hand-stamped pillow, a lovely embellished table runner, and a keepsake picture album that features a screen-printed family photo on its cover. Gallery-quality items pictured throughout provide extra inspiration.
Print On This!
Blank tees, hoodies and more.
The Great T-Shirt Book: Make Your Own Spectacular, One-Of-A-Kind Designs
Amazon Price: $4.98 (as of 02/16/2012)
This beautifully illustrated book includes instructions for painting, stamping, tie-dying, batik, marbling, and screen-painting T-shirts. Over 70 unique T-shirts illustrated in full color....Offers a wide variety of appealing design possibilities.
Got A Great T-Shirt Idea? Earn Some Ca$h!
The best places to design and sell shirts online.
- Zazzle
- Create your own one-of-a-kind t-shirts and products. Select from hundreds of items to get started and upload your own images, art and photos!
- Threadless
- Submit your own t-shirt designs and slogans and if your idea is selected for print you'll receive $2,000 in cash and a $500 Threadless gift certificate. Plus, you get $500 every time your design is reprinted! Threadless is also an awesome community for artists to connect, learn and score each others designs.
- CafePress
- The world's favorite place to find or make unique T-shirts and gifts.
- CustomizedGirl.com
- Fashion is more exciting when you can be your own personal designer! Lots of fonts and colors to choose from and you can upload your own images.
- Etsy
- Your place to buy and sell all things handmade.
More Cool Handprinting Techniques
Check out these fantastic fabric painting lenses!
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KavitaKriti
Oct 25, 2010 @ 3:01 pm | delete
- really neat article... i'll have to try it out :)
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d-artist
Jun 15, 2010 @ 4:16 pm | delete
- great lens and info! I bought some new sheets, my hubby accidentally spilled some bleach on the sheets...so now I am looking to do a bleach design matching up the design on my spread...should be fun.
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aesta1
Mar 25, 2010 @ 1:25 am | delete
- Thanks for all the ideas here. I always wanted to print on my own t-shirts but I just have not gotten into it. Now, that this lens is here, maybe I'll try.
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arncyn
Mar 5, 2010 @ 7:26 am | delete
- Wonderful and information-packed lens on different print-by-hand techniques! The freezer paper method greatly intrigues me, I might just try it myself this weekend (: *blessed by an angel*
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Sylvestermouse
Mar 4, 2010 @ 11:39 am | delete
- Wow! What a wealth of information! I love the beach pen idea! Awesome :) Angel Blessed and added to my Squid Angel Mouse Tracks lens.
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