Fabric Clothing Tags

I wanted to make my own tags for my plushies and to sew onto my screenprinted items.

I was about to by the fabric sheets that you run through your printer when I realized that I could make them a differnt way. The process and the outcome are not the same but they are fun to make. This is a sneak peak of what the finished tag looks like.

Step 1: Material List

-carving block (I used Speedball Speedy-Cut)
-carving tools
-fabric ink
-ribbon
-scissors
-iron
-ink roller
-fray check
-scrap piece of fabric
-sewing machine (optional)

Step 2: Sketching Your Logo/image/idea

Sketch the image or text onto the carving block.
Remember that due to the nature of stamping the image needs to be reversed in order to print correctly. Draw or write gently on the speedy carve. If you press too hard you will dig into the rubber. I used a sharpie marker because it glides well on the rubber.

I wrote the name of my Etsy Shop which is Narchi. I wanted to be able to use the stamp to apply to the items that I make.

Step 3: Carving the Stamp

Begin carving the block. I clear out the larger areas first
and then I remove the more detailed spots.

You can test the image as you carve along. Use a regular ink pad and test your stamp on a piece of paper. Keep carving until you are satisfied with it.

Step 4: Preparing to Ink.

Once you are done carving you will need to prepare the ink. I used Speedball fabric ink that I use for silkscreening. The ink is ready to be used and all you need to do is heat set it. Using a roller I placed a thin layer of ink onto a piece of plexi glass. You don't need a lot of ink and you can scrape off the extra.

Remember, a little goes a long way.

Step 5: Ready, Set, Stamp

Carefully tap the stamp onto the ink. Layout your ribbon and
stamp away. You might want to iron the ribbon before stamping so that it will lay flat. When you're stamping on the ribbon remember to leave a decent amount of space between each image.
If you don't have fabric you can cut up an old tshirt into small squares and stamp on those.

Once you are done stamping your ribbon you will need to heat set the ribbon. Place your scrap piece of fabric between the iron and the ribbon. You do not want the ink on the ribbon to touch the iron directly. Move the iron in a back and forth motion for about 2-3 minutes.

Step 6: Creating the Tags

Let the tags cool after ironing. Have your fray check ready and cut up the ribbon into smaller pieces. Apply the fray check to the sides that you physically cut. This will prevent the edges from fraying. If you use the jersey material from a tshirt you do not have to apply the fray check. The edges will curl up naturally and will not fray.

Step 7: Applying the Tags

The tags are ready to be attached to whatever you wish. You can hand sew the tags to the items or attach them with a sewing machine. If you are using a sewing machine, all you have to do is pin the tag into place. I sewed a tag onto the sleeve of a tshirt. you can sew them onto your child's clothes or backpack.

You can also use the stamp you have made on its own. Using the same inking technique stamp directly onto the material of your choice. I used my stamp to place my shop name onto the inside of a tote bag but the possibilities are endless.

Step 8: The End!

Now attach the tags onto everything!
Make a variety of logos or images. Use different color inks and experiment adding layers of stamped images.

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