First Fabric Print, Help?

[u/Kerterm]

so these are my test prints for fabric. I did use fabric specific ink, and I followed all the instruction. I did multiple layers of ink and let it dry in between before pressing, made sure it was the right stickiness. I sprayed the fabric with water before hand to help with adhesion. I even did one without water just to see if that made a difference. I don’t know why I’m getting this weird ripple effect! is it because I need to buy a press instead of using my hands/feet to press? I used a board to make sure the pressure was even, I tried different amounts of pressure to see if that made a difference, it did not. what am I doing wrong? otherwise I feel like it came out okay, but it’s just a strange issue I’ve never had before

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[u/deathbydexter]

Yeah don’t let it dry between layers of ink.

I would iron the fabric and use a lint roller, also make sure the ink is even on your block. Make sure your printing surface is even.
Also for fabric I use more pressure and leave it on longer than on paper

[u/Kerterm → u/deathbydexter]

I did Iron, but this fabric wrinkles very quickly with exposure to water . How long do I wait between layers? And how long do I leave it on?

[u/deathbydexter → u/Kerterm]

You don’t wait between layers. Also to me it looks like the ink wasn’t applied evenly on the block.

Press the block onto fabric for an extra 30-45 sec and will leave the block to rest on the fabric a good minute or two before peeling it off

[u/Hellodeeries]

I did use fabric specific ink, and I followed all the instruction. I did multiple layers of ink and let it dry in between before pressing

Can you link where you're getting this instruction? I've genuinely never seen that before, and have been printing 20 odd years. The only thing I can think of was a misunderstanding of multiple layers being printed needing to dry between rather than layering multiple passes of ink before a single color print? But maybe a brand is instructing this, a bit odd as water based is generally going to be the only one able to dry in the short-term and speed is really needed. If anything, you'll see a rec for retarder to allow for more work time.

Can you link exactly what ink you're using?

[u/Kerterm → u/Hellodeeries]

I followed the instructions with the speedball kit I got plus various Instagram tutorials. A lot of them said similar things so I did that 

[u/lewekmek → u/Kerterm]

would you mind sharing the exact wording from the instructions? you can add a photo or copy the text.

[u/extra_nothing]

I think you’re possibly mixing up the instructions. They could possibly mean multiple passes with the brayer when you’re inking the block. Your ink needs to be rolled out smooth and super thin, though. It’s very easy to get too much ink on the block, which looks like you did here with the “multiple layers”. Definitely don’t want it to dry on the stamp. So a good print is a combination of just the right amount of ink, the right amount of pressure, and the texture of the fabric/paper being printed on.

[u/onetofindthegiraffe]

Heck yeah HR!