How to Heat Set Stamps
People stamp in their scrapbooks, on official documents and on other paper products, but you can also stamp on fabric to create patterns and designs completely unique to your wardrobe. When you use fabric stamps, you need to heat set the ink, or the colors will run as soon as the fabric is washed. Heat setting stamps on fabric can take some time and patience, but it can be worth it when you have your special patterns and designs stamped on your garments.
Things You'll Need
- Fabric
- Heat set ink
- Fabric ink pad
- Stamps
- Plain white paper
- Clothing iron
- Press cloth
Instructions
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Lay out of the fabric to be stamped on a flat surface. Place a piece of plain white paper under the area to be stamped to protect the other side of the garment or the table underneath from ink leaking through.
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2
Fill your ink pad with heat set ink; some of these ink pads may already come with this type of ink included.
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3
Tap your stamp repeatedly over the ink pad to fill the stamp with ink. Do not simply press the stamp into place, as you will pick up a more even setting of ink by tapping.
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4
Push the stamp firmly into place on your garment so that you get an even stamping design.
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5
Allow the ink to dry completely before heat setting. Consult the ink manufacturer's instructions regarding drying time; generally it will only take a few minutes to dry.
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Set your iron on a low heat setting to heat set the stamps. Cover the stamp area with a press cloth or spare piece of fabric if your garment can be damaged by heat.
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Iron the stamped area for two minutes to allow the ink to set completely. Flip the garment over and iron the other side to create a strong hold on the ink.
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Tips & Warnings
Ink, fabric ink pad and stamps are available at crafting supply stores.
Allow at least a week between stamping and washing to make sure the ink has completely set.
Practice your stamping and heat setting techniques on scrap pieces of fabric before attempting on your good garments.
