DIY Canvas Tote Printing

Use an embroidery hoop to secure your screening fabric.

If you'd like to customize a plain tote bag you got from your last work conference or you're looking for a way to customize your reusable grocery tote, you don't need a professional to print the design you want. With a short trip to the hobby store and some inspiration, you can print screen an image or motif onto the tote by hand. Keep the finished product for yourself, or give it as a gift.

Things You'll Need

• Pencil
• Paper
• Image or picture
• Thin, sheer fabric
• Embroidery hoop
• 2 paintbrushes
• Fabric sealer adhesive
• Tote bag
• Plastic bag
• Print screen paint(s)

Instructions

1. Draw your desired design or image on a piece of paper, or print a digital image. Pictures from books or prints also work well.

2. Secure two pieces of thin, sheer fabric between an embroidery hoop large enough to cover your entire image. Use scraps from old curtains or costume projects. Check that the fabric is secure and taut.

3. Place your image face up on a flat work table. Place the embroidery hoop with the flat-face down on top of the paper.

4. Carefully trace the image with a pencil. Outline everything in the image you want to include on your tote bag.

5. Apply a fabric sealer adhesive with a paintbrush to the areas where you don't want color to show through. If you're printing an image of a flower, for instance, cover the area outside the petals and stem--the negative space. Let the sealant dry completely. Apply another layer for an opaque finish.

6. Place a flattened plastic bag inside your tote and lay it flat with the side to be decorated facing up. Lay your hoop over the spot where you want the image to sit.

7. Carefully paint the unpainted portions of the image using screen printing paint. You are no longer painting negative space, but inside the image.

8. Let the paint dry completely. Lift the hoop directly up to assess your printed image.

9. Replace the hoop in the exact location and paint a second layer, if need be. Let it dry completely.

Resources

• DIYSilkScreenPrinting: Top 10 Worst Screen Printing Mistakes