Printing on different mediums

Printing on Different Mediums

It's all about the medium! Molly explains how your approach to printing is often shaped by the medium, from printing on paper to printing on fabric. In this lesson, Molly teaches you how to make beautiful prints on any surface.

Lesson Summary

• You can print on any type of paper, but I prefer Indian Khadi paper.
• Lining paper is available at any DIY store.
• I suggest reusing existing fabrics, particularly old worn sheets and tea towels.
• I would recommend using bleached linens if you want your colours to pop.

Preparing Fabrics

• I recommend washing fabrics at the highest temperature they can take.
• To wash fabrics, use a gentle detergent; for natural fabrics, use a bleach-free detergent such as Ecover.
• Paint sets with time and heat, once the fabric is dry, iron the fabric with the steam setting off.
• Lightweight fabrics may jump around while printing, so I suggest pinning or taping them down with masking tape.

Your Assignment

Gather different pieces of cloth and paper and begin experimenting with various mediums. Look at how the different colour combinations sit. Compare the ways in which the colours and prints look on different mediums.