Stampin on Fabric: what ink should I use?

[Hallupino]

I have a project in mind where I'd like to stamp on fabric, like muslin and canvas, but I haven't been able to find a stamping ink suitable for the job. My first thought was to use Stazon, but I just read the label on the back of the ink pad and it says specifically NOT to use it on fabric. I was also thinking of using acrylic paint suitable for fabric painting, but of course I wouldn't be able to get as detailed an image as I would using ink. So, has anyone else had some success stamping on fabric, and if so, what ink did you use? Thanks in advance for your help!

[iamvics]

I've used Ranger Archival on a sweatshirt. Here's Ranger's fabric friendly products: Fabric-friendly Products | Ranger Ink and Innovative Craft Products

[Angelnorth]

My go-to ink for fabric stamping is Versacraft. It's a pigment ink and it's permanent if you iron it once it's dry (does fine in laundry if your item is something that needs washing). It comes in little cubes as well as full size pads so it's possible to get a range of colours without having to dedicated a lot of $$$ or storage space. You can see the colour range here .

Tsukineko has also introduced something called "All Purpose Ink" - last time I joined in a thread about fabric stamping somebody mentioned this as they'd seen it demoed at a show. I haven't used it but it sounds interesting. Details here on the Tsukineko site.

The reason Stazon says "not for use on fabric" by the way is that the solvent base may attack some fibres over time (so I was told when I e-mailed Tsukineko and asked about it a couple of years ago). So I guess the bottom line is it's probably OK to use for something that isn't intended to last for years!

HTH!

[lutheran]

I use a craft (pigment) ink and heat set it after it has air dryed. If it is an outline stamp, I color with Fabrico markers after the outline has been stamped, dried and heat set. You can look in the t-shirt/tie dye aisle of your LCS and find lots of products. Be sure to read the instructions for each different product.
Mary Beth

[Hallupino]

Thanks so much for your helpful advice, everyone! I might try the craft inks I have from SU first, as they are pigment inks and hopefully will perform well after being heat-set. If that doesn't work, you've all given me some excellent options to try. Thanks especially Vic and Joanne for including links to the Ranger and Tsukineko products- those look very interesting!

Anna

[Anemone]

I've done palette inks on fabric and they work well.

[cookie1031]

When I was at Michael's a couple of weeks ago, I saw that they had ink pads for stamping on fabric. But of course I can't remember the company name. At my store, they were located where the t-shirts are. I think they were priced @ $4 or $5.99.

[Rebecca Ednie]

Make sure you heat pigment inks really well. I used them to stamp a onesie and tho it wasn't washed very many times, it faded quite badly. I had put them in a hot dryer which I'd read would be enough and I don't think it was. Definitely heat set with an iron for best results.

[mayjoynstamp]

Yes, I used juicey craft ink pads to dress up some of my little girls plain cotton underwear. I prewashed them then stamped them followed by the iron to heat set them. They are washed alot and the color is still fairly good after all this time.

[mayjoynstamp]

Just found this thread as I am planning on stamping on fabric to make a quilt.
I'm glad to find out what I could do. We are making quilts for giving for charity.
I went to the quilting fabric store and they didn't carry fabric ink and sent me to a scrapbooking store. No luck with the store I tried. Time is getting tight for me. I need to get on this project.

I'm planning to roll/stamp cotton- large area to cover and repeat stamp. tiny ink pads won't do....

I have 400 6x6 squares to stamp and I'm looking for the best ink for this use. I was going to use stazon ink but I'm glad I found out it's not so good before I used it on the fabric.

Does anyone know if I could use acrylic paints to stamp a border onto fabric. Would it last through washing and drying?
What could I use for an ink pad for acrylic paints?

Would it suit this purpose? Any other ideas>

[meloleary]

I've used Palette inks successfully on linen. Good luck!

[QueenOfInkland]

As for ink, Versacraft (formerly known as Fabrico). Especially made for stamping on fabric.

If you're not familiar with Hot Potatoes, I would suggest you check out their website which is all about stamping on fabric - lots of technique and product info:
http://www.hotpotatoes.com/

[mayjoynstamp]

Oh, Thanks. thanks for the ideas ladies.
Now I have a better idea of what to look for in the current market. I'll check out a few other local SCrapbooking stores for Versacraft. I may have even seen it before and I didn't need it then.
Later on I'll check out the website as well.

[QueenOfInkland]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mayjoynstamp

Does anyone know if I could use acrylic paints to stamp a border onto fabric. Would it last through washing and drying?
What could I use for an ink pad for acrylic paints?

A few years ago Claudine Hellmuth came out with a line of foam and clear stamps that coordinated together. You used her acrylic paint on the foam stamps which were the base shape and then you overstamped the base shape using her clear stamps which are the coordinating detail design.

I have these sets and I love them. Claudine talks about using these for home d�cor items so we're talking fabric. I'm not sure about how the acrylic paint would hold up through washing, though. You could shoot an email to Ranger Industries; they've always answered any questions that I sent to them via email.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1Atv7VNTEM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEJhehR0W0I

[Stamp Muse]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hallupino

I have a project in mind where I'd like to stamp on fabric, like muslin and canvas, but I haven't been able to find a stamping ink suitable for the job. My first thought was to use Stazon, but I just read the label on the back of the ink pad and it says specifically NOT to use it on fabric. I was also thinking of using acrylic paint suitable for fabric painting, but of course I wouldn't be able to get as detailed an image as I would using ink. So, has anyone else had some success stamping on fabric, and if so, what ink did you use? Thanks in advance for your help!

Angelnorth is exactly correct about the Versacraft inkpads, just be sure to iron it or it is not washable. StazOn works for decorative, non-longterm applications. I have had designers tell me they've used Brilliance pigment inks and heatset them with an iron, but I have not yet tried this. Tsukineko also has a line of fabric markers and paints.

Tsukineko � high quality inks and inkpads for your crafting projects
Tsukineko � high quality inks and inkpads for your crafting projects