Block Printing on Fabric vs. Paper: What You Need to Know

If you've learned how to block print on paper, you're already most of the way to printing on fabric. The process between block printing on paper versus fabric is nearly identical.
They both follow the same high-level steps: design your image, carve the block, ink the block, and print the block. The biggest differences are the surface you're printing on, and in many cases, the type of ink you use. So if you can print on paper, you can absolutely print on fabric (and vice versa). 

If this is your first time block printing, I recommend checking out my guide on How to Block Print at Home, where I walk through the entire process from carving to your first print. While paper is the most common place to start, fabric opens up a whole new world of creative adventures... tote bags, tea towels, clothing!

Choosing the Right Fabric

Paper and fabric absorb ink differently. Paper is a smooth surface that is generally easier to achieve consistent prints and capture details from carved blocks. Fabric on the other hand is flexible and textured so the surface might shift slightly while printing and requires a bit more intention. With that being said, the type of fabric is key in achieving attractive results.

The best fabrics for block printing are natural fibers with smooth, tight weaves, such as cotton or linen (such as cotton shirts, linen pants, a denim jacket, a canvas tote bag). These fabrics absorb ink more evenly and capture cleaner details than loose, stretchy, or fuzzy materials like knit or wool.

Choosing the Right Ink

Generally speaking, one of the big differences between printing on paper and fabric is the type of ink you use. For paper, relief printing inks are designed to sit nicely on the surface while capturing details. For fabric, you'll want a fabric ink that's made to bond with fibers and stand up to washing. Also, many fabric inks need to be heat-set with an iron after they've dried. This helps bond the ink to the fibers so it stands up better to washing.

Although oil-based inks for block printing are not intended to be used for fabric, I've found they can work surprisingly well on projects that won't be washed often, like tote bags or wall decor.

Water-based inks for block printing do not work on fabric as they'll wash out after being reactivated with water.

Tips for Better Fabric Prints

Details

Because fabric is flexible, it's harder to transfer fine details when printing from block to fabric as opposed to paper. Because of that, bold shapes and simple designs usually print best on fabric.

Pressure

Whether you're printing on paper or fabric, even pressure is necessary for even transfer. Fabric generally requires a little more pressure than paper so the ink absorbs into the fibers, but pressing too hard can cause the design to blur. Which brings me to my next point, testing.

Testing

Before printing your final project, make a few test prints on scrap fabric. A quick test can help you dial in the amount of ink to use, how much pressure to apply, and see how details come out.

Final Thoughts

I've said this before, and I'll keep saying it, embrace the imperfections and enjoy the experimentation of the process! Some of my favorite prints have come from trying something new. If you have any questions, feel free to drop them in the comments. Interested in learning more? Check out my workshops or subscribe to my newsletter to stay in the loop on future posts and more.
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