When I start printing I like to stay in the flow. Flow is when the magic happens. So if I spend a day or 2 getting the materials ready then I can stay in the creative flow when I am pulling prints.

Soak or wash fabric in hot water with detergent to remove sizing and get the fabric ready for printing.

I like to dry my fabric the same way I would dry it under usual circumstance. This will pre-shrink it.

Hand printed fabric ready to be cut, pieced and sewed into a pillow cover.

Gelatin printmaking is amazing because the maker can pull delicate impressions very rapidly when using delicate tools and an ink that can hold the edge of the impression.

Some times it takes some experimentation to find the best combination of ink, tools and fabric. Once factor that is an additional challenge when printing on fabric is the competing texture of the fabric. It is easier to find smooth absorbent paper than it is to find similar fabric.

Another consideration when monoprinting with the gelatin plate on fabric is the intended use. If the hand printed fabric is going to be use for wall hangings and mixed media art pieces then you do not have to be concerned with durability or washability.

Some folks like to use the hand printed fabric in wearable art or quilts. Then you need to find the best ink or paint intended for that purpose. The printed fabric should be fixed or set according to manufacturers instructions. Even then I think the fabric should be gently cared for.

If you would like some help making the gelatin plate and learning to print on fabric, then you are in luck. The Monoprinting Fabric workshop is open for registration. Check out the details on the printmaking workshop page.

I have received some great feedback, and I am pleased to share that much of what you want to learn about monoprintng on fabric with the glycerin and gelatin plate is covered in the online printmaking course.

Read on and get excited:

1. Make fun fabrics to make clothes for your grandchildren.

2. Learn the benefits of different applications of hand-printing at home.

3. Discover and master the differences between printing on fabric and paper.

4. Get ideas on how to incorporating the fabric into your work.

5. If you are new to the process, then just get started with gelatin printmaking

6. Obtain lots of time saving information about products, inks and tools

7. Learn to use objects and color to create a great impression

8. Discover how to fabric keep looking good and bright

9. Make choices to keep the soft hand of the fabric

10. Add printing on fabric to your mixed media skills

11. Make completely unique fabrics for mixed media projects

12. Accent woven fabric with printed marks and surface design.

13. Expand your knowledge of how to compose a pleasing image/pattern

14. Be inspired new ideas from everyone in the class

15. Explore and develop your sense of design

16. Have such messy fun!

17. Embrace a little play time

18. Expand the possibilities using the gelatin plate!

19. Make new fiber art projects

20. Learn to make clear prints

Wow!

That may even sound overwhelming instead of inspiring, but I have broken down the content into small manageable pieces. So you can take the course and step by step you will be exploring and learning more than you ever though possible.

That is one of the beautiful things about printmaking with the gelatin plate. You can get printing right away. There is not a lot of planning and once you have your studio space set up you can print for a short time and steadily build your skills.

Check out the details of this online printmaking course – Monoprinting Fabric with the Gelatin Plate.

Enjoy a quick slideshow of some student monoprints on fabric

Student Prints on fabric with the gelatin plate from Linda Germain on Vimeo.