Is craft ink ok to use on clothing?

[law6449]

I would like to stamp a design on a blank sweatshirt, what is the best ink or paint or whatever to use on clothing? It's probably going to be worn and washed frequently so I would like to use something that will withstand all the use. Has anyone done this before and how did it turn out?

[Cathy H]

The only thing I have ever used to stamp on clothing is acrylic paint. It works well and washes beautifully. I used foam stamps (the cheap ones)

[diane617]

yes, you can use craft ink on fabric if you heat set it with an iron after it's dry.

[jenpeel]

Darker colors will stand the test of time better. Here are a couple tips:
1. Wash the fabric first using NO fabric softener
2. Hold your stamp down for a few seconds so the ink "soaks" into the fabric
3. Let it air dry for 24 hours
4. Turn it inside out and throw it in the dryer for 30 minutes to heat set it
5. Later on when washing, use the coldest water possible, and if you let it air dry, the colors will last longer.

Good luck & have fun!

[law6449]

Thanks for the tips everyone! I'm tired of trying to pick up a certain owl sweatshirt at Target and they never have it in my size, so I'm making my own with the owl in the "what a hoot" set. HA! Take that retail industry!

[junebugstamper]

I put some large stars on a T-shirt maybe 8-9 years ago, wash it, put it in the dryer and it still has the ink on it. Of course, now I wear it as a sleep shirt. I think I stamped it with Fabrico ink ~ do they even make that anymore? Point is, I still could wear it with jeans and look OK.

[Judyw]

Yes, I stamp on onesies with craft ink and heat set it. I did a test once, stamped with stazon colors, Classic SU colors and Craft colors. Classic washed out right away, stazon was okay, but Craft ink kept its colors and the stmps stayed crisp, where the stazon leaded into the fabric a bit and wasn't crisp.

[handstampedhappiness]

Here is the best explanation I have seen so far. Forums at Splitcoaststampers I have never done it myself, so if you have questions, I would ask the OP. (original poster)

HTH

[law6449]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judyw

Yes, I stamp on onesies with craft ink and heat set it. I did a test once, stamped with stazon colors, Classic SU colors and Craft colors. Classic washed out right away, stazon was okay, but Craft ink kept its colors and the stmps stayed crisp, where the stazon leaded into the fabric a bit and wasn't crisp.

That part about the classic washing out right away made me giggle a little, I dropped a chocolate chip classic ink pad on a pink shirt once and it still has a spot that just won't come out. It did fade a little but it's there forever I'm afraid. Thanks for the tips, I bought some little tote bags that I'm going to let my kids experiment on tonight.