I’m intrigued by new ways to create my own fabrics. Whether it’s for a home decor project or the background fabric in a mixed media project, I’m forever searching for new things to try.
Enter Ink Effects from DecoArt.
From the DecoArt Ink Effects website:
Ink Effects are fabric transfer inks that absorb into the fabric for soft, flexible, and washable transfers. Simply paint your design on standard copy paper then use an iron to transfer it onto a light colored wearable or home decor fabric piece of your choice.
And here are a few Q’s and A’s from the Q & A section that will help you to know more about Ink Effects:
Do I have to paint on special paper?
Nope! You can use regular copy paper, notebook paper, or pages from a coloring book.
Will the black lines transfer from a coloring book or printed design?
No, unless you are using a laser printer. Laser printed lines will transfer faintly. Images from your ink jet or pictures from a coloring book will NOT transfer the lines. If you want the black lines to appear, you will need to paint over them with black Ink Effects ink. We suggest you paint your lines last after you paint the rest of your image for a more finished look.
Do the inks need to be completely dry before you iron on your design?
Yes. Drying time is usually between 30 and 45 minutes. You can speed up the process by using a hair dryer.
Can I wash an Ink Effects piece?
Yes, in cold water. However, the higher the cotton content of your fabric, the more your design will fade with repeated washings, even if you use the base coat.
Can I use Ink Effects on cotton?
Vibrancy of color transfer will vary with different blends of fabrics. For best results, use fabrics that contain 60% cotton or less. For fabrics over 60% cotton, prepare the surface area with Ink Effects Basecoat to increase ink absorbency.
Unlike other crafting products that use the work “ink” in them Ink Effects are applied with a paint brush.
Another thing to note is that the color of the wet Ink Effects will differ from the finished color. Always use the color of the cap to determine which color to use in your project.
While Ink Effects work best of fabrics that have less than 60% cotton, cotton fabrics can be used with the addition of the Ink Effects Base Coat. Simply spray it on your cotton fabric and then let it dry before ironing the image onto the fabric.
Ink Effects has a consistency similar to Extra Virgin Olive Oil and goes on semi-transparent.
I recommend applying 2-3 coats of Ink Effects for better color.
Ink Effects can be layered as in the center of the poinsettia above. I painted the base green, let it dry, added red dots, let them dry and then added yellow dots and let them dry.
Once the Ink Effects is dry on the paper simply turn it ink side down and iron onto fabric.
Tips and Thoughts:
1. Be sure that the surface you iron on is smooth. My ironing board has sort of a grid pattern in it and that shows up in my finished image. ON THE OTHER HAND that will definately lead me to some experimentation down the road. I wonder what happens if I WANT a particular texture in my image?
2. I chose not to “outline” my poinsettia image in black because I didn’t want it to look too cartoon like but you could. I painted each “petal” individually even thought the color is the same and I think that helped to define the petals.
3. When ironing be sure to lift a corner of the image to make sure it “takes” before lifting the inked paper all the way off.
I throughly enjoy creating with Ink Effects. It’s one of those “coloring for grown ups” projects that can be very relaxing.For me, it’s a fun new medium that I look forward to experimenting with further.
If you’d like to make poinsettia napkins similar to the ones I made above visit The Creative Goddess blog Create Your Own Christmas Napkins: Transfer Printing with Ink Effects. The post even includes the poinsettia image that you can download, print and paint!
Disclosure: Product provided for review. All opinions are my own.
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Jenny says
What a cool product! Thanks for sharing and for the printables. You rock!
Denise says
Those are very cool! I will definitely give them a try. I love the idea of creating my own design on fabric, to create a one of a kind tote bag purse.
SaraCarns says
I love your napkins, Miss Vicki! These looked so cool at last CHA, they made it on my most-wanted list! I’m happy to see they worked well for you! Great review!
Vicki says
Thank you, Sara!
I really liked working with them. Lots of fun and relaxing too.
V
Vicki says
I hear you. Why have a tote bag that everyone else has when you can make your own fabric and have a one of a kind? Right?
Vicki says
Anytime Jenny! 🙂
Michelle says
Have you tried them on dark material? Or do they just show up on lighter?
Vicki says
Michelle, I don’t think they would work very well on darker fabrics.