I would stick with water-based inks like Permaset or Matsui. They do however require heat setting other than with an iron (heat gun, flash dryer, etc.).

If all you have is an iron, try Speedball or Jacquard Jacquard Paint Index - 9 lines of paint for Fabric Painting, Silk Painting, and Arts & Crafts of all types

 

Thanks Joe,

I actually do have a heat press. Would that work with the Permaset and Matsui inks?

 

Not recommended. With these commercial inks, the trick is to remove all moisture from the ink to facilitate curing. A heat press does not allow moisture to escape.

If your press has a 'hover' feature, it will work. Otherwise a $20 heat gun from Home Depot will work too.

 

Ohh okay, I did not know that...
I'm very new to this!

So then after using the heat gun, the ink will have all of the moisture taken out if it?
Is the ink able to go in the washer?

 

So then after using the heat gun, the ink will have all of the moisture taken out if it?
Is the ink able to go in the washer?

Here is a tutorial video [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnTV0-3QsVo&feature=channel_page[/media]

Once cured, it can be washed as many times as you like.

 

Any suggestions?

Waterbased ink. Being true to colour won't be a problem with any professional screenprinting product. Waterbased ink will be easier to work with in a home environment, and softer on the garment.

Also, I will mostly be painting on 100% cotton and 50/50 blends... will I need separate types of ink for the different fabrics?

Waterbased ink doesn't play very nicely with polyester. However you can get an additive for the ink to help with that, so you'll still be able to use the same inks.

 

That sounds great. Maybe I can just stick with 100% cotton to avoid problems.

This might be a stupid question, but, does it matter what I use to paint with? Or would I just use a paint brush?

 

I always use a paint brush when I paint on garments,I think that's pretty much the best thing to use when hand painting a garment.

 

Check into Createx. Great company and product.
I've used their products for my airbrushed work since they started many years back.

And, there's also Golden. Really highly pigmented colors.
very good.

 

Denise, I know of a local Art supply store that carries that brand. Does it need to be heat set also? If so, how have you done it?

Thanks!!

 

Denise, I know of a local Art supply store that carries that brand. Does it need to be heat set also? If so, how have you done it?

Thanks!!

Hi, yes, you would want it to dry and then heatseal it. It needs to be fully cured. On the label, it will give you exact info. They can be cured with a heatpress, a heatgun or a home iron...heatseat on the backside when using an iron. Use a teflon cover sheet if you're using a heatpress. With the heatgun, you apply heat on the painted side.

Also, if it's the Createx that you buy, be sure to get the regular Createx and not their Auto Air (Auto Air is strickly for rigid, non porous surfaces)

I've got shirts that are now rags, that I painted in the 80's, and the artwork still looks good, it's the shirts that wore out.

 

Lewis and Denise, Thanks so much for the advice! I am going to go to the art store today and get the Createx paint and some tools and I should be all set! I am very excited! =]