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Has anyone ever used their ink pads or markers to add color to clothing? I’m specifically looking to refresh the faded knees of some black cotton pants that get a lot of wear. If you have, did it work, and if so, what ink did you use and how did you apply it? Any special laundering tips?
Thanks!
I think your biggest problem might be in matching blacks. I know that sounds daft but if you line up several black items (even ink pads) you’ll likely find they’re all slightly different. An ink that’s good for stamping on fabric might work (Versacraft, for example, I’ve used Brilliance to stamp on onesies too) — typically you iron those inks to make them permanent so they’re OK to wash. I suspect you’d end up with a different sort of patchy issue than you have now though, the black wouldn’t be the same as the surrounding fabric.
I’m tempted to say your best solution is to retire the pants (just wear them around the house or for doing jobs in the garden) and treat yourself to a new pair!
From experience I might say sharpie pens. Lord knows I have dropped them on myself enough times when I did not want marks. :rolleyes: but even those will fade with more washings....I am wondering about Stazon ink pad?
But Joanne makes a good point about color matching. You might want to consider a dark grey one instead of black...put them both to paper and compare to your pants?
Well right now the very "hip" thing is to take a razor to your jean knees and slice em open. I saw that for hundreds of dollars in a famous store. Seriously. I am still laughing about it.
Or you could cut em down for shorts. Or use them for cleaning/gardening to protect another better pair from the same fate like Joanne suggested.
__________________ Margot
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Thanks, all. The pants in question are definitely not "good" pants; they are just part of my summer uniform of crops with a tee shirt. Problem is they are discontinued. I have black, navy, white, and tan! I think I will try the idea of a sharpie on just the edge of the faded part. And maybe an inkpad on the other knee (and write down which is which!). I will let y'all know what happens.
As to cutting the knees...oh boy, I really, really didn't think that fad would last. I don't get it. And yet it must be at least ten years now that the fashionable amongst us have been going around with shredded jean knees. Maybe I can find an online influencer to push the idea of simply faded knees!
I agree with Angelnorth about matching color, but if you can overcome that issue, I would recommend acrylic paint. You can even add a fabric medium to craft paint, which I think just makes the finish more soft & flexible. The medium would probably also work with tube acrylics, but since bottled craft paint is cheaper & just as good for this.... I used to paint designs on T-shirts with craft paint with fabric medium mixed in. HTH!
I have used a black sharpie to "fill in" small spots on black pants.
It works pretty well; but, you may need reapply after a few washings.
Happy Stampin'!
Don't you hate when a favorite clothing item is discontinued. pffft
I think that look started with rockers or maybe bikers? Anyway......now they slice the whole pant! Insane. I would not even wear those to paint the walls bc I would be getting paint on me anyway.
I remember in the 60s with making their own hot pants from jeans and the front pocket would show. Scandalous! lol
__________________ Margot
I am a proud fan club member
Don't you hate when a favorite clothing item is discontinued. pffft
I think that look started with rockers or maybe bikers? Anyway......now they slice the whole pant! Insane. I would not even wear those to paint the walls bc I would be getting paint on me anyway.
I remember in the 60s with making their own hot pants from jeans and the front pocket would show. Scandalous! lol
OMG, hot pants! I blush to recall my wardrobe of same. Orange velour! Fake ponyskin! I think I managed to avoid the dangling pocket look, but I recall it well. These memories help keep me in check when I start feeling "judgy" about the looks I see out there today. Blush!
I agree with Angelnorth about matching color, but if you can overcome that issue, I would recommend acrylic paint. You can even add a fabric medium to craft paint, which I think just makes the finish more soft & flexible. The medium would probably also work with tube acrylics, but since bottled craft paint is cheaper & just as good for this.... I used to paint designs on T-shirts with craft paint with fabric medium mixed in. HTH!
I have a bunch of bottles of acrylic craft paint, including the needed black, but I agree that it would make the fabric stiff. So what is fabric medium? I've not done any painting on fabric and am not familiar with that product. Would it be in the craft or the sewing section of the store?
So sorry to hear that your favorite pants are needing some rehab. I would be brave and just go for on the ink repair…go with a color that is the right tone rather than worrying about exact match…the suggestion of using grey if pants are black is good one, I think.
And my next stop would be EBay to try to find replacement pants. Sounds goofy, I know, but I have resorted to it with great success! In search engine put vintage before the brand of pant, then style then size.
Wishing you success in your pant rehab project!
And my next stop would be EBay to try to find replacement pants. Sounds goofy, I know, but I have resorted to it with great success! In search engine put vintage before the brand of pant, then style then size.
Thanks for the tip, Susy. I have most definitely tried that approach and was successful on Poshmark. That's where I found the tan ones, tags still on! And I think you are right, what do I have to lose by trying to ink up the knees. Could it look worse than faded? Doubtfull!
__________________ Karen
“I gotta go where it’s warm!”
Jimmy Buffett
The following 2 users liked this post by CardCountess:
Have you tried Sharpies? After coloring, I'd heat set it to help it stay. Funny a friend of mine just got the black memento ink on her favorite sweatshirt and can't get it out!
I tried Black Archival ink on a spot on a shirt. I was thinking it's p I permanent, right? It didn't work either. I am guessing it had something to do with the fabric. It was not all natural. :( I work at the local Jr./Sr. high school. Yeah, my Mom would kill me if I went out the door with a lot of the styles that girls wear.
Last edited by Kristy Tyra; 03-12-2025 at 04:49 AM..
Reason: Correcting spelling. Also adding to it.
Thanks, all. The pants in question are definitely not "good" pants; they are just part of my summer uniform of crops with a tee shirt. Problem is they are discontinued. I have black, navy, white, and tan! I think I will try the idea of a sharpie on just the edge of the faded part. And maybe an inkpad on the other knee (and write down which is which!). I will let y'all know what happens.
As to cutting the knees...oh boy, I really, really didn't think that fad would last. I don't get it. And yet it must be at least ten years now that the fashionable amongst us have been going around with shredded jean knees. Maybe I can find an online influencer to push the idea of simply faded knees!
Sorry to tell you, but I've tried sharpies myself. It doesn't work. :(
Why not just dye the whole pair of pants. there is fabric dye you can by. A little extra time soaking the knees might be needed---or not. I have dye clothing that had faded and it worked as long as it didn't need to exactly match a top or jacket.
There are special fabric markers and inkpads. If you use them to color your faded jeans, the ink will not wash out. You can use them to stamp your fabric. Barbara
I used a (blue) Copic marker on a knit fabric, and it didn't wash out.
I would be inclined to put the pants in a pot of black fabric dye, like Rit - I have done that with black jeans to even out fading and it always works really well. Cotton should be easy to dye.
FYI: I have a "cauldron" that I found at a thrift store that I use on top of the stove for dying, but the dye has never stained the pot. The dye I use has always rinsed out completely and easily.
I used a (blue) Copic marker on a knit fabric, and it didn't wash out.
I would be inclined to put the pants in a pot of black fabric dye, like Rit - I have done that with black jeans to even out fading and it always works really well. Cotton should be easy to dye.
FYI: I have a "cauldron" that I found at a thrift store that I use on top of the stove for dying, but the dye has never stained the pot. The dye I use has always rinsed out completely and easily.
Ink pads and clothing
