DIY: Block Printing With Our Linen and Kraft Accessories

Welcome to block printing heaven, thanks to our friend Arounna from bookhou. Arounna is a maker, teacher, shop owner, author of ‘Punch Needle’ and lover of all things craft. Lately she's been block printing our Four Corner Bags, turning them into works of art. This inspired us to give you a 101 on how to accomplish block printing with our accessories. Continue reading to learn how to block print not only our linen Four Corner Bags but our kraft Project Portfolio and Accessory Roll.

Print tutorial

How-to Block Print

Tools You'll Want:

- Ink for linen: water based ink

- Ink for kraft: printer's ink or fabric paint

- Carving Blocks: linoleum, wood, potato, foam, or get creative like Julie did with our Project Portfolios below!

- Carving tool

- A roller or paintbrush

- Surface to spread ink and apply to roller or paintbrush

How to Block Print:

- Lay item to be printed flat, taping down where necessary

- Carve your design into a printing block (don't forget it will be mirrored!)

- Add ink to spare surface where you can apply to roller or paintbrush

- Roll or brush your ink onto your printing block

- Press directly down firmly

- Make a few test prints on spare paper to ensure everything looks right before applying to final piece, this will also help you find the right amount of ink and pressure to apply.

- Please read the instructions of your ink for setting - some need a heat set, others do not.

-Wash on cold, Note that all of our items will have a new texture after washing, both our linen and kraft will develop a beautiful wrinkle and softness (Julie does this with all of her items, but please know, you won't be able to return it to its original state after washing or customizing)

1

Geometric Four Corner Bag by Bookhou

For this Four Corner Bag Arounna used Permaset ink, soft lino and roller from Maiwa.

Learn from the master herself with one of her workshops, see the full list of events here.

2

Floral Four Corner Bag by Bookhou

For this Four Corner Bag Arounna used Permaset ink, soft lino and roller from Maiwa.

Learn from the master herself with one of her workshops, see the full list of events here.

3

Block Printed Kraft Accessories

After seeing those beautiful bags from Bookhou, we had to try block printing on our washable kraft products as well! Julie used a screen printing ink (Speedball) for these Project Portfolio. It worked out fine, but was a little thick for her liking so next time she may try a fabric paint instead. For the patterns she carved rubber blocks, and those circles? She used our Stitch Stoppers (both the centers and the rings) for a creative way to make use of items already around. Our Project Portfolios and Accessory Rolls are made out of the same material, so they will take to the ink the same.

You may find it helpful to take the elastic out of both these accessories so it's not in your way. It's quite easy and we have video tutorials to help you below.

How to Change the Elastic on Your Accessory Roll

How to Change the Elastic on Your Project Portfolio