Introduction to Block Printing on Fabric

[@speedball_art]

Lastly, the drying environment and the amount of ink applied could extend the curing time, but typically 1 week would be enough.

[@barbarabooth1423]

Do you recommend washing 100% t-shirts before printing? Thank you! Love these inks.

[@speedball_art]

Pre-washing isn't that necessary with our ink. Happy printing!

[@speedball_art]

The largest size mounted linoleum block within Speedball's block printing line is 19"x24". Good luck with your print!!

[@speedball_art]

After drying, the fabric will maintain a nice, soft hand since the ink is going into the fabric, not just sitting on its surface.

[@speedball_art]

The only fabric that we do not recommend for use with our Fabric Block Printing Inks is nylon due to the stretch of the fabric. If you are printing on cotton (which we believe is typically used with this kind of project), the fabric will maintain its soft hand after printing.

[@A.N.Latest-collections]

After printing back side iron compulsory or not

[@angieschmit1956]

Is heat setting necessary with this or which types do you need a heat set with iron or heat press?

[@speedball_art]

Heat setting for our fabric block printing inks is not necessary if you allow proper drying time.

[@squintinmusic1533]

Is mostly a preference on what material to cut and whether or not to have a wooden block on the back? Is there a benefit or disadvantage to having the linoleum glued to a wood block ?

[@speedball_art]

Hello! It can be down to preference of artist, as well as how often they intend to use the linoleum as it can help it's longevity if it is mounted, as it helps keep the linoleum flat after many many uses.

[@2lauki]

Can I use fabric screen printing ink for block printing? Will it be just as good? Thanks for the video!

[@speedball_art]

Hello! We recommend using fabric block printing ink due to the different qualities of each ink, you may not get clear prints with screen printing ink on blocks.

[@leeshanchannel6653]

Good job keep it up 👍👑🌿💐🏆💕

[@heyitsj1834]

This the second video I'm watching (different content creators), but neither have said what this 'block' is. Is it a wooden block? How do we get it?

[@speedball_art]

This artist is using our Speedy-Carve soft block and it can be found at a variety of fine art and craft retailers, both in-store and online. Hope that helps!

[@jennychan5134]

May I ask what is the difference between this tube of block printing ink, vs the Speedball fabric ink in a tub?

[@speedball_art]

Both will work with paper, but the Speedball Fabric Ink is specially formulated to stay in the fabric. In other words, once it's cured, it can withstand wash and water.

[@speedball_art]

Hi Melissa! Thank you for your question. First, we'd like to check to make sure you are using the Fabric Block Printing Ink, not another type of ink in our block printing line. If you printed using our water-soluble inks, for example, you will not achieve the results you're looking for. If the ink is our Fabric Block Printing Ink, another possible cause of this might be the fabric. All of our testing has shown good wash fastness on cotton, cotton/poly blends.

[@camtheartist]

i know this was a full-on ad, but this seems so cool!! can't wait to try it does this mean there's no curing needed then? or how does curing work if needed?

[@speedball_art]

Speedball's Fabric Block Printing Inks do not require a heat set to remain permanent in the wash. We recommend allowing 4-7 days after printing prior to laundering and that time frame will depend upon your environment (humidity, heat, etc.) Hope that information helps, but if not, please contact us through our website and we can discuss more!

[@audreyh6628]

It's an information video on their products - its meant to inspire you!

[@thewhiteraven4304]

It's perfect, I always work with it. It would be good if it existed in larger formats as well as in tube

[@speedball_art]

Thank you so much for the comment! We're so happy to read that you're pleased with the performance and have forwarded your note regarding some additional (larger) sizes to our Product team for evaluation. Thank you again!

[@leiabona5597]

Oi,como consigo comprar essa tinta no Brasil?

[@leiabona5597]

@@speedball_art como consigo comprar essa tinta no Brasil

[@speedball_art]

@@leiabona5597 the best resource is our Store Locator on our site. There you can search for availability closest to your postal code by the product line. Thank you so much for your interest!

@@leiabona5597 Em breve estará disponível no Armazém da Gravura, nossa loja! :)

[@0lgatron]

Question - you have lots of ink on the edge of the stamp but the print is clean. How did you achieve this?

[@speedball_art]

For ink application, we would recommend many thin layers be applied to the design. If ink is picked up along margins or details you do not wish to print during application, you can simply wipe away with a damp rag prior to printing.

[@_dewdew_8705]

I have a question. I’m planning on using this ink to print a tshirt that has a design both on the front and the back. How long would you recommend i wait for the ink to dry on one side before printing the other side??

[@speedball_art]

Oil-based block printing ink will require 2-3 weeks to dry on fabric and require solvents for clean up. The water-soluble ink that you purchased will not remain permanent through the wash. The only way to get the type of results featured in this video is with Speedball's Fabric Block Printing Ink. It is the only ink that will print on fabric, dries to the touch overnight and remains permanent through the wash with no heat set. It can also be cleaned up with just soap and water.

[@moonrunnerscollective8672]

is it possible to heat set it anyway for effect it gives ?

[@louddude]

how it stays on fabric while it can be cleaned up with soap and water?

[@Jamjellyism]

I was wondering if you can mix this with other colours to get the perfect shade?

[@illustratornamedkasper]

I am quite sure you can do this. You can also roll over your plate with differentc colors to achieve graduations. You can also choose to carve two different blocks and then print in two different colors - its marvellous!

[@barbarabooth1423]

I mix custom colors all the time. Adds more interest to your prints. Give it a go!

[@merylshapiro868]

i am going to use the ink to print and paint on silk. Can I thin the ink with water to paint the background?

[@speedball_art]

we would recommend giving the ink between 4-7 days to cure prior to introducing water, but it will work brilliantly if you allow for the full cure time!

[@rebeccawhite3782]

Please can you tell me what sort of ink you should be used on cork mats?

[@speedball_art]

We have several pro artist partners who use our Acrylic Screen Printing Inks to print on cork for coasters, etc.

[@rebeccalacroix6276]

how does the print last in the wash? does it have to always be hand washed?

[@daniellewarners1235]

After you printed on the textile, can you wash it? Or will the ink be washed out?

[@speedball_art]

Once the ink is properly cured and dried. It will stay on the fabric

[@anastasiathomas4738]

Hi, I'm going to print onto Calico fabric. Is it worth soaking in Ash Soda after washing to help ink adhere?

[@speedball_art]

Hi! Our ink is designed to adhere to the most common types of fabric! We have not tested with the method you mentioned but it could be worth experimenting!

[@6334062]

Do you have to wash the shirt before you print on it?

[@speedball_art]

It is not required, but it is recommended as some materials may change size in the wash.

[@helcolina553]

Hi, I'd like to do a sort of...negative print, meaning I'd like to print a bleaching substance onto black fabric. Apparently linoleum doesnt do well with a ph more than nine, so I wanted to know if either the softcut blocks do survive bleach or if you know of an alternative to regular household bleach that doesnt destroy a lino block?

[@caseytbss]

Stencil and spray fine mist to achieve what you are after. Might need to experiment with having the fabric wet or even set up to dry right away to achieve nice lines. All depends on what you want to do & how detailed

[@hatedom]

Hi there, will the oil based ink from speedball work on any type of fabric? I'm in Colombia and about to try the oil based ink on garments, just bought it. Thank you for the video!

[@speedball_art]

hello! Yes, the traditional oil-based inks will work for printing on fabric, but will likely just require a longer curing time (possibly 2-3 weeks, depening on your climate) prior to being permanent.

[@hatedom]

@@speedball_art I appreciate a lot you response, thank you!

[@speedball_art]

@@hatedom happy to help!

[@Meow_Tal]

Does washing your plate after use degrade the quality of the image? if so how quickly?

[@speedball_art]

Hello Viki--great question! As long as cleaned with the recommended products as directed, cleaning the plate will not negatively impact the quality of the image for future prints or damage the plate.

[@speedball_art]

Sounds like we found the problem! :) Water-soluble inks will not create the same quality in prints or remain permanent like Speedball's Fabric Block Printing Ink. Please email us at placeanorder (at) speedballart (dot) com so we can better assist you with purchasing information.

[@blockprintbyorangzaib1367]

I work for block printing if you have to print, I am present in Pakistan. This is my contact number 03131093685

[@matthewsoltau6819]

Okay instead of using plastisol to screen print which just sits on top of the shirt and requires a minimum amount of prints, could this speedball ink be used to screen print instead of plastisol? for more of like individual amounts SpeedballArt

[@nayswanliz1060]

I'm thinking of doing this instead of silkscreen. Have you done stamping instead like in the video?

[@shelbymarie8987]

hi! i used this on speedball lino print paper and it smudged. it seems like the ink is dry because it’s matte but the ink will still smear. same goes for the ink i used on a canvas bag. it smudges. i’ve let it dry out for almost 24 hours. is this normal?

[@speedball_art]

based on what you have outlined, it sounds like there may be too much ink on your block when printing on paper. With that, we'd recommend applying many thin layers of ink until there is a slight glistening to the block and then using something like a baren or press to facilitate even transfer. If using just your hand, there are times when the paper can shift every-so-slightly and that may also be causing the smudging. Specific to printing on the canvas bag, using a block like our Speedy-Carve is helpful as it has some "give" to allow for easier transfer. We'd also recommend printing on a padded surface to allow for even more leverage in printing and faciliating the transfer even further. When printing on fabric of any kind, even more thin layers of ink are required, and we'd recommend test printing on scratch fabric prior to moving to your final project. The print should dry to the touch within a few hours, sometimes overnight depending on the humidity in your studio. If you are seeing it take longer, we'd again recommend transitioning to many thin layers of ink and increasing the pressure when printing to help the ink fully transfer into the fibers of the fabric. We'd be happy to discuss your project more specifically if you'd like--please contact us at [e-mail] if that's of interest!

[@shelbymarie8987]

@@speedball_art thanks for the quick reply! i’ve noticed it’s taken 2/2.5 days for the ink to fully dry. i’m going to try those tips and email if anything else arises. happy new year!

[@speedball_art]

@@shelbymarie8987 please keep us posted and very happy to help! Hope the slight adjustments do the trick!

[@camtheartist]

from rebecca lacroix 3 years ago how does the print last in the wash? does it have to always be hand washed?

[@speedball_art]

Speedball's Fabric Block Printing Ink is put through rigorous testing to ensure permanence once allowed the time to fully cure (4-7 days to dry after printing). No special measures, like hand washing, are required to maintain the print's integrity, and we have had many artists comment that their works have last years (and hundreds of washings) after printing.

[@speedball_art]

If you'd like to discuss further, feel free to call our Customer Service line any time M-F, 8:30am-4:30pm and we'll be happy to help!

[@jakescorpion1]

Is this oil based or water based? Can't find an answer? Both types need to heat treat? Come on

[@speedball_art]

Our block printing fabric inks are made with a water washable oil so they clean up with soap and water, and do not need heat setting when allowed proper drying time.

[@maryredding1619]

How many washes do you get before it begins to fade?

[@speedball_art]

our lab testing includes some pretty aggressive wash testing up to 100 washes without fading. We would recommend washing the garmet inside-out whenever possible to improve the longevity of the design

[@hellenmasido3345]

Can you use fabric paint or acrylic for the same?

[@speedball_art]

the tack and viscosity offered by the Fabric Block Printing Ink makes for the best results when transferring a design using a block. We'd recommend using a paint brush, sponge, etc. for acrylic or fabric paints

[@rameshshah5710]

Pls reply on mail [e-mail] your contact no. And emai id

[@Gracielascreative]

Auwww love love love!!! I will try it

[@shinobidef]

Do you have any recommendations as to how thin the fabric needs to be in order to hand burnish the print? I'd love to try fabric printing but I don't have a press

[@speedball_art]

Many of our professional artists partners opt to hand-burnish their prints or use something like a spoon to facilitate a uniform transfer. We would recommend following artists like Sarah Reed McNamara (SRMPrints), Mindy Schumacher (FollysomePrints) or Susana McDonnell (LinoCavePrints) on Instagram as they provide GREAT insight into how they get amazing print results across a variety of fabrics and papers!

[@shinobidef]

@@speedball_art Thank you! I'll check them out

[@Name260812]

Does this work on carpet/rugs?

[@speedball_art]

Hi! That's a very good question. One of our parter artists, Jennifer Sanderson (IG: @pigskinsandpigtails), successfully printed a welcome mat using our inks with screen printing in a Halloween-themed project. The ink would be permanent if it's allowed a full week to cure. But we do not any testing in our lab or artist use to validate how well the designs will transfer. Would love to hear your experimental results!😀

[@Name260812]

@@speedball_art Thanks for your reply.

[@anastasiadouglas1688]

Where you sell your product do u have it as a kit ?

[@speedball_art]

we do have this in a kit, the Ultimate Fabric Block Printing Kit. It's available at a wide range of arts and crafts retailers, so it should be easy to find with a search by that name. thanks for your interest!

[@anastasiadouglas1688]

@@speedball_art I live in the Caribbean i may have to order it . Thanks I'll look for it

[@jackieayala9860]

Can I used organza fabric instead?

[@speedball_art]

We do not have formal testing related to performance on organza, but have had a range of partner artists utilize the product on other varieties of silk.

[@speedball_art]

Happy to help! We have sent you the link. If you have not received or have any further questions, feel free to complete an inquiry on our "Contact Us" page and we can email you the link through that email address. Thank you!

[@illustratornamedkasper]

Does anyone know if you can use felt instead of cotton? Would like to do a mobile with fluffy clouds =)

[@speedball_art]

felt isn't something we have tested but should work with this ink. you may need to find additional pressure with a baren or small press to facilitate transfer. we'd recommend testing on a scratch piece prior to moving to the finished project just to ensure you're pleased with the coverage.

[@illustratornamedkasper]

@@speedball_art awesome, thank you so much! Bonus question, as I happen to have a small press: Have you heard of people trying collagraphy (cardboard print) instead of linoprint?

[@speedball_art]

@@illustratornamedkasper unfortunately, we don't have any information specific to this type of ink for collagraphy. for that technique, we'd recommend our Akua Intaglio Inks--they're ideally-suited for that process!

[@haydnvictoria7663]

what tool does this guy use to make the stamp?

[@eliasrivas5210]

Haydn Victoria if there's a specific name for it, I can't recall, but it's just called a "cutter." If you search for block print or linocut cutter, you should be able to find plenty. And the "stamp" is actually a rubber block specifically for linocuts. Hope this helps. : )

[@varishakhan6199]

👍

[@elisamazzuca3396]

Is there a way for the ink to dry quickly on fabric, let's say in like 10/20 minutes?

[@speedball_art]

There are some anecdotal methods from artists, but we always recommend air drying for the best results 😊