Working with Chalk Couture Ink

Working with Chalk Couture Ink on Fabrics

3/21/2021

There are 3 main products of Chalk Couture.
1- Reusable Silk screen transfers in 5 different sizes (5x7 to 18x24)
2- Chalkology paste-- perfectly formulated for a a project that stays & yet removable
3- Chalkology Inks- for long lasting, washable designs on fabrics, glass and more

Let's take a look at working successfully with Chalk Couture Chalkology Inks for permanent designs on fabrics!

Step one- Prepping your surface. When working with fabric is is highly recommended to have an ink mat like this one >>
under your fabric. This will prevent inks from bleeding through to the backside (like a t-shirt) or work surface, as well as help stop your fabric from moving.
You can also use items like a cutting machine mat (Cricut, Silhouette, Nipica) or even cardboard.

Step 2- Place your transfer on your fabric. If you are a messy crafter (everyone looks at me... ) You may wish to use placement tape or painters tape to frame your transfer with a bigger border. I know of a few crafters who will tape wax paper all the way around... no way to accidentally get an inky finger print or inky squeegee on your fabric!

Step 3-- Let's get inky! Chalk Couture Chalkology Ink goes a long way. Use a small amount on your squeegee. Start on the teal non-image part and gently pull across the mess image. You will use very light pressure, you do not need to force the ink through. Light pressure will also help stop the transfer from popping off the fabric. If you need more coverage, use a little more ink. I find it best to use less and then add more. Another helpful tip is to ink in one direction.

Step 4- Check your fingers! Nothing like a perfect project with a signature fingerprint beside it (who me?!) . Carefully remove your transfer from the fabric. Remember to avoid pulling from the corner, the transfer can be used again- we do not want to stretch it!) The ink will still be wet, so pull slow and steady to avoid splatter. Also avoid dropping your transfer upside-down on your fabric (it's almost like I've done these things!)

Step 5- Let your image dry. (see step 5A while you wait). To speed up dry time you can use a hair dryer. Once it's dry you will need to heat set it to make it permanent. Remove your ink mat/cardboard before heat setting. You can heat set with a heat press/ easy press or home iron. Place a piece of parchment paper (not wax paper!) or a Teflon sheet between your heat source and your image. Iron on medium heat, no steam for 4 minutes on each side (front & back of image) OR heat press at 350F for 30secs. Adjust heat according to your fabric as needed.

Step 5A -- While you wait for your image to dry. Wash your transfer. The ink must be washed out before it dries in the mesh (remember it's permanent even there!). Run your transfer under cool water, gently rub off the ink. If needed use the board eraser to help remove in & staining.

Is staining a big deal?

Step 6- Show off your project proudly!