How to Heat Set Stamping Ink

When stamping on fabrics, the ink must be heat set to prevent the colors from running.

Stamping with heat set ink is a great way to embellish various types of fabrics. Heat set fabric stamps can be pressed into clothing, household items or linens to add design or patterns to otherwise plain fabrics. Fabrics must be stamped using heat set ink instead of traditional stamp ink, which causes colors to run when the fabric is washed. Heat set ink creates a permanent bond with the fabric to prevent the colors from running or fading.

Things You'll Need

• Cardboard or thick paper
• Fabric ink pad
• Heat set ink
• Stamps
• Scrap fabric
• Clothing iron

Instructions

1. Lay the area of fabric that you wish to stamp on a flat surface. Place a piece of cardboard or thick paper beneath the fabric to protect the surface and the other side of the fabric from the ink.

2. Pour the desired color heat set ink into an empty fabric ink pad or obtain a fabric ink pad already containing heat set ink. Use a separate fabric ink pad for every color stamp you would like to create.

3. Lightly tap the stamp onto the top of the fabric ink pad. Do not press into the ink pad as the stamp will pick up a thick, uneven coat of ink. Examine the stamp to ensure that it is fully covered in the desired color ink.

4. Hold the fabric taunt and push the inked stamp onto the designated area of the fabric. Press firmly to ensure that the stamp leaves an even design. Allow the ink to fully dry, according to the manufacturer's directions.

5. Turn the clothing iron on low and allow sufficient time for it to heat up. Cover the stamped area of fabric with a separate scrap piece of fabric. The second piece of scrap fabric will protect the garment from the heat.

6. Iron over the scrap fabric for two minutes to allow the ink to fully set into the original fabric. Flip the fabric over and iron the opposite side to ensure that the ink has formed a strong bond with the fabric.

Tips & Warnings

• Wait a minimum of one week before washing the fabric on which the stamp was pressed. This will provide sufficient time for the ink to completely set.

References

• Joggles; Fabric Stamping Tutorial
• Creative Lenna; FAQs
• Nika Paper Arts; Inks 101