| What is fabric ink? | | | | Acrylic inks are excellent for airbrushing because their |
| Acrylic fabric inks consist of very fine colors | | | | thin consistency won't cause clogs in the air brush. |
| suspended in a fluid that flows like children's watercolor | | | | Fabric paints are a better choice for screen printing or |
| paints and produces bold and vivid colors when | | | | stamping, because they are thicker. |
| painted on fabric. After they cure, inks are water | | | | Can I paint any kind of fabric with acrylic fabric inks? |
| resistant, light fast, and permanent. | | | | Inks will work on just about any fabric: cottons, cotton |
| There are many ways to paint inks on fabric. You can | | | | poly blends, flannel, batting and interfacings, rayon, linen, |
| apply inks with: | | | | silk, canvas, organza, knits, suede, terry cloth, velvet, |
| - Paintbrush | | | | velveteen, leather, and most synthetics. |
| - Air brush | | | | How do I prepare fabric for painting with ink? |
| - Dip pen | | | | Your fabric should be pre-washed to remove any |
| - Stamps | | | | sizing, which can prevent the ink from penetrating the |
| - Sponges | | | | fabric fibers. It's also a good idea to cover your work |
| - Any absorbent applicator, like a Q-tip or rag. | | | | surface with cardboard or another protective layer to |
| - Ink can also be used to dip fabric in, like a dye, or as | | | | keep the ink from getting spread around your work |
| a substitute for tie dyes. | | | | area. An apron and rubber gloves will help protect your |
| How is painting with fabric inks different from painting | | | | hands and clothing from stains. |
| with fabric paints? | | | | How well do ink-painted fabrics hold up under wear |
| Inks have intense colors while still being very thin and | | | | and washing? |
| fluid. While acrylic fabric paints can be thinned with | | | | Acrylic inks create a permanent bond with the fabric |
| water to the consistency of inks, the thinning waters | | | | fibers. Ink paintings should last for the life of the fabric. |
| down the colors and makes them very pale. | | | | Inks need to dry for at least several days before you |
| Inks are recommended for projects where you want | | | | wash them. After that, inks painted on washable |
| the fabric to be soft and flexible after painting, since | | | | fabrics can be washed in warm water using the gentle |
| they don't stiffen the fabric as much as fabric paints | | | | cycle, preferably inside out, and ironed on a low |
| can. If you need to have more control over the design, | | | | synthetic setting. |
| use fabric paints, which hold a line better than inks. | | | | |