By following these steps, you can make Inktense designs permanent on fabric, ensuring your artwork remains vibrant and durable through wear and washing.

1. Preparation

1. Wash and dry the fabric: Pre-washing removes any sizing or chemicals from the fabric that might prevent the ink from adhering properly. Iron the fabric to remove any wrinkles.
2. Choose a workspace: Protect your workspace with newspaper or a plastic cover as Inktense can stain surfaces.

2. Drawing and Coloring

1. Draw your design: Use Inktense pencils or blocks to draw your design directly onto the fabric. The colors may look dull at this stage.
2. Add water: Using a brush, apply water to the colored areas. This activates the ink, making the colors more vibrant. Ensure the water is evenly distributed to avoid patchiness.

3. Blending and Detailing

1. Blend colors: While the ink is wet, you can blend different colors together to create gradients or other effects. Add more ink or water as needed.
2. Allow to dry: Let the fabric dry completely after applying the ink and water. This can take several hours depending on the amount of water used.

4. Setting the Ink

1. Heat setting: Place a piece of baking parchment or a pressing cloth over the painted area. Set your iron to the appropriate setting for the fabric (usually cotton or linen). Press the iron over the parchment or cloth for 2-3 minutes, keeping the iron moving to avoid scorching the fabric. This heat sets the ink, making it permanent.

5. Use Fabric Medium

1. Mixing with fabric medium: If you want to ensure even more permanence and flexibility, you can mix the Inktense with a fabric medium before applying it to the fabric. Follow the instructions on the fabric medium packaging for the correct mixing ratios.

Tips for Best Results:

1. Test on a scrap piece: Before working on your main piece, test the Inktense and the setting process on a scrap piece of the same fabric.
2. Use clean water: Change the water frequently while painting to avoid muddying the colors.
3. Fix mistakes: While the ink is still wet, you can correct mistakes by blotting with a clean cloth or adding more water to lighten areas.

Care Instructions:

1. Washing: After setting the ink, the fabric should be machine washable. However, wash it on a gentle cycle with mild detergent to maintain the vibrancy of the colors.
2. Drying: Air dry or tumble dry on a low setting.