Using stamps on fabric

Welcome to the world of fabric stamping, an inexpensive way to brand or customise clothing, bags, ribbon and more! In this guide, we'll discuss what you need to stamp fabric, as well as practical tips and hints for achieving a great result.

Which fabric is best for stamping?

The first thing you need to consider is your fabric. Uncoated cotton, calico or linen work best, with a tight weave work best for stamping. If possible, opt for a light fabric colour and a contrasting dark ink colour to give a more prominent appearance. 

More difficult fabrics include fleece, knits, heavily textured materials like hessian, and waterproof or coated fabrics.

If in any doubt, test first on a scrap or sample fabric. We can also test it for you, get in touch if you’d like to send a sample of your fabric.

What kind of stamp is best for fabric?

At Woodruff and Co, we offer a couple of fabric stamping solutions which are a self-inking fabric stamp, and traditional rubber stamps, both of these stamps are suitable for use on fabric. 

Our self-inking fabric stamp is specifically designed for creating a permanent, washable print on fabric, with a built-in ink pad designed to take textile ink. It comes in one size: 38 x 14mm, a size that is perfect for customising ribbon, small calico bags or for small branding on clothing. 

If you’re looking for a larger print size, a rubber stamp is another other option. Our custom rubber stamps come in a range of shapes and sizes, and can be used with either basic ink pad [for a non-permanent print] or a specialised fabric ink pad that you can heat-set to create a permanent, washable print on your fabric.

Design tips for fabric stamps.

Stamping on fabric is quite different to stamping paper or cardboard, the fibres of the fabric can make for a print that’s a little more rustic. For this reason, keep the design as simple and bold as possible. If you need to include text, keep it to a minimum and make sure your font is large enough to be legible in the finished print. We recommend a minimum font size of 10 for best legibility.

Simple icons and logos or bold text tend to work best. If in any doubt about whether your design is suitable to be turned into a stamp,please get in touch before you order - I’m very happy to help guide you with design tips for the best possible result.

Prepare, prepare, prepare.

There’s no turning back when it comes to stamping fabric, so preparing your product is critical.

Make sure your fabric is pre-washed before you start. Many materials are finished with a coating that can impact the finish of your stamp imprint. Wash and iron any clothing so that your stamp goes on smoothly and makes an enduring print.

Don’t forget to also prepare your workspace so that it’s clean and you have a clutter-free, flat, smooth surface. It’s a good idea to cover your tabletop with scrap paper to protect it against any ink spills or smudges.

Other tips

• Once again - always test first! Use scrap fabric to practice - it will help determine whether the ink will bleed, refine your technique, and check alignment so you get your positioning correct.
• Make sure you use a solid, heavy surface to do your stamping, avoid soft surfaces or uneven tables as they may impact your print. Make sure to smooth out any wrinkles in your fabric - iron them if needed.
• Press straight down with even pressure on your stamp, no need to rock, twist or roll your stamp. Practice your pressure - too little can result in an incomplete image and too much pressure can cause smudging or a halo effect around the edges of your design.

• If your fabric is very thin, place some cardboard on the underside so  ink doesn’t bleed through.

• Allow time for the ink to dry. Drying time will differ depending on the combination of stamp and ink and your fabric, but in general most inks need up to 15 minutes to surface dry and then 24 hours to fully cure. If you’re using a rubber stamp with a fabric ink pad, you’ll need to heat set the print with an iron [place a layer between the iron and your stamped fabric and hold for around 30 seconds without steam to ensure the print endures through washing.

You can create professional looking results with a humble stamp! At Woodruff and Co, we create custom stamps from almost any design. Your own signature stamp can be used to customise ribbon, calico bags, clothing and more, and use our hints and tips to produce a unique and long-lasting impression. 

MAKE YOUR CUSTOM FABRIC STAMP!