FAS Fastex Textile Ink Tips

Creating your artwork with Fastex inks: 15 useful tips on using FASTEX inks from fabric artist Fionna Appleton.
1	Use old ice-cream container lids or plastic ‘take-away’ lids as palettes on which to mix your Fastex inks. They are easy to clean, can be used over and over again and should not cost you a cent!
2	The ideal brushes to use are synthetic or nylon brushes – try out both round and flat brushes – and if you can afford it get a variety of sizes. Large brushes make it easier for covering large areas of fabric and the finer, smaller brushes are better for doing detail or painting in the difficult bits.
3	Brushes are not the only tools you can use – try bits of sponge, look for some interesting stencils or an old toothbrush for splattering.
4	A jar of clean water is essential - mainly for washing brushes and keeping them clean as you paint.
5	Keep hands clean when painting because if you accidentally drop or smudge some FAStex ink on your fabric you will not be able to remove it, but will have to work it into your painting one way or the other.
6	Use 100% natural cotton to do your artwork on – synthetic fabrics will not guarantee good results.
7	Do not mix any water into your Fastex inks, as it is water based and should not need thinning down. (unless you wish to achieve a particular ‘washed’ effect)
8	Wet your brushes before putting them into your Fastex ink as this will help the brushes last longer.
9	FAS produces an extensive range of wonderful FAStex colours and from these you can mix any colours you wish. If you are on a tight budget you could start with the primary colours and from these you can mix any colour you fancy.
10	Keep your pots of Fastex inks clean by mixing all your colours on your palettes and avoid putting dirty brushes into the pots.
11	Apply paint using brushes till fabric is covered – do not put it on too thickly and try and avoid leaving large blobs of paint on the fabric. This will only cause problems when heat setting.
12	If you wish to place one colour alongside another colour – wait for the one to dry before applying the next this keeps your colours fresh and clean.
13	When doing line-work or writing it is important to remember that to avoid bleeding of the ink into the fabric the area under the writing or line must be sealed. To seal it you will need to apply a colour first and letting it dry before outlining or writing over it. Avoid writing directly onto naked fabric as it will bleed.
14	Follow heat-setting instructions on label to ensure that your artwork is wash and colour fast.
15	Most of all experiment and have fun!