How to block print your own fabric

A few people have asked me how to block print. I don't know if this is THE way to do it, but this is how I print my own fabric. Got my L plates on, here goes...

You will need:

• Printing block (use a ready made one, such as a rubber stamp, or make your own)
• Block printing ink suitable for use on fabric (such as Deka)
• Brayer (a fairly hard foam roller used for rolling out ink)
• Flat, smooth surface for inking up the brayer (I use an old ice cream lid. An old tile or piece of glass would be perfect too.)
• Fabric, pre-washed and ironed (I use cotton with a dense weave. Something with a smooth finish like calico works better than rough textures.)
• Newspaper
• White spirit and kitchen paper to clean up

1. Set up a working area on a sturdy surface. Lay newspaper down - the ink gets everywhere!
2. Lay out your pre-washed and ironed fabric over a couple of extra sheets of newspaper. This helps provide a slight cushion so the block presses right into the fabric. Make sure there are no bumps and creases or the ink will miss these areas.
3. Squeeze a small blob of ink on to your ice cream lid (or tile, etc) and roll out with the brayer. Keep lifting and turning as you roll to spread it smoothly and evenly over the entire brayer surface.
4. Transfer the ink on to your block. Keep applying ink until it makes a dense, smooth layer. Apply more ink to the brayer if necessary.
5. TEST your design on a scrap of fabric to check you are using enough ink and pressure before committing to a whole piece of cloth!!!
6. When you're happy, re-ink your block and place it on to your fabric carefully to avoid smudging. Press down HARD all over the block, apply your whole bodyweight if necessary (this is why you need a sturdy surface).
7. Peel the block away carefully to reveal your printed design.
8. You will need to ink up between each print and top up the ink on your brayer too.
9. Clean up by wiping down all the tools with white spirit on kitchen paper. Rinse in warm soapy water.

This ink takes a few days to dry in warm weather (or on a heater) but I'd usually leave it about a week before doing anything with it. To fix the ink when it's dry, iron on the reverse for a few minutes on the hottest setting suitable for your fabric. Wash as for delicates.

Here's a video you may find helpful...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soVrto5reI0

Happy printing!