Explore the process of block printing on fabric and learn how to turn your own ideas into repeatable textile designs.
In this hands-on workshop, you’ll design and carve your own printing block, then use it to create prints on fabric. You’ll learn the fundamentals of relief printing while experimenting with pattern, repetition, placement, and colour.
Whether you’re interested in textile design, fashion, illustration, or simply want to give your fabrics a personal touch, this workshop is a fun and practical introduction to hand printing.
Designing Your Block
Develop a simple image or motif suitable for relief printing and learn how to think about positive and negative space.
Carving the Block
Learn how to safely use carving tools to cut your design into a block and create different marks and textures.
Preparing Your Print
Learn how to apply ink evenly to your block and prepare your fabric for printing.
Printing on Fabric
Transfer your carved design onto fabric by hand, experimenting with placement, repetition, scale, and composition.
Pattern & Repetition
Explore how a single motif can be repeated and arranged to create larger textile patterns.
Colour Experimentation
Experiment with different ink colours and combinations to create your own textile designs.
Block printing is a relief printing technique where an image is carved into a block, leaving the raised areas to hold ink. The inked block is then pressed onto a surface such as paper or fabric to create an image.
It is a simple but versatile process that can be used to create illustrations, patterns, textiles, clothing, and decorative objects.
This workshop is suitable for:
Beginners interested in block printing
Artists and illustrators
Anyone interested in textile design
Makers who want to customise their own fabrics
People looking to explore relief printmaking
No previous printmaking experience is required.
You will create your own carved printing block and use it to print a series of designs onto fabric.
Experiment with a single image, repeating motif, or all-over pattern to create your own textile design.
Fabric is provided, and participants are also welcome to bring their own fabric or textile items to print on.
Suitable options include:
Cotton fabric
Fabric panels
Tote bags
T-shirts
Clothing
Patches or textile scraps
For the best results, choose light-coloured, relatively smooth cotton or natural-fibre fabrics. Please bring clean, pre-washed fabric where possible.
Printing blocks are provided by the studio.
This is a two-session workshop designed to give you enough time to properly develop and carve your block before printing.
We’ll begin by developing your design and transferring it onto your block. You’ll then start carving your design with guidance from the instructor.
Because carving can be a detailed and time-consuming process, you are welcome to take your block home and finish carving it between sessions.
A tool deposit will be required if you take carving tools home.
You may also begin printing during the first session if your block is ready.
We’ll continue carving where needed, then move on to inking and printing your finished block onto fabric.
Want to turn your printed fabric into something functional?
Join our special workshop led by Cherry Kaeonil, where you’ll learn the same block printing process and then transform one of your printed fabric into a small sewn pouch, approximately pencil-case size.
After you’ve printed your fabric, Cherry will sew it together for you, turning your handmade textile into a finished piece you can take home.
This option combines printmaking, textile design, and making for a unique creative experience.
The sewing portion will be completed by Cherry Kaeonil using the fabric you create during the workshop.
About Cherry Kaeonil: Cherry is an illustrator and printmaker artist. Graduated of UC San Diego in Children's Illustrations. https://www.instagram.com/cherryk.illustrator
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