DIY GLUE GUN STAMPS FOR FABRIC PRINTING
- iprintedthat
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
Delft Blue tile repeat patterns
Did you know that your glue gun isn’t just for fixing wobbly decorations, or holding together last-minute craft projects? It can also be used to make your very own printing stamps.
This is one of those wonderfully accessible techniques - drawing with molten glue, letting it set, and suddenly you’ve got a stamp you can print with again and again.
For this project, I’ve paired a 17th-century design influence with a much more modern, everyday tool. Inspired by the delicate patterns of Delft tiles, we’re going to create our own motifs and repeat them to build a patchwork of printed “tiles”. It’s a lovely way to play with pattern, embrace imperfections and create something that looks far more intricate than it really is.
Keep it traditional with blue and white or experiment with your own colour palette.
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HOW TO MAKE A STAMP WITH HOT GLUE
YOU WILL NEED:
A simple design (keep it bold and not too fiddly)
A flat sheet of clear or translucent plastic (acrylic, acetate, or even cut from a clean, dry plastic milk bottle)
Permanent marker pen
Glue gun and glue sticks
Ink pad in your chosen colour
Felt, a blanket, or a few layers of fabric (for your print base)
Cotton fabric for printing onto
Rubber roller or a rolling pin
HOW TO:
1. Draw your design
Start by tracing or drawing your design onto the sheet of plastic using a permanent marker. Keep it fairly simple — thick lines work best and tend to print more clearly.
2. Flip it
Turn the plastic sheet over so you’re looking at a mirror image of your design. This is especially important if you’re including any text or directional elements.
3. Go over with glue
Heat up your glue gun. Once it’s ready, carefully trace over your pen lines with the glue, pressing the trigger at a steady pace.
Try to keep the glue lines smooth and an even height. Avoid blobs, joins, or wispy threads as they will show up in your print.
TIP: You might like to practice on a scrap piece of plastic first to get used to the flow. Slow and steady is the best technique.
4. Let it set
Allow the glue to cool and harden completely before moving on.
Once it’s set, tidy it up a little. Peel away any wispy bits and trim off any obvious high spots so your surface is as even as possible.
5. Ink up your stamp
Take your ink pad and firmly tap it over the glue surface to apply the ink. Make sure all the raised glue areas are evenly covered.
It can help to do this over a piece of scrap paper while you get used to how much ink you need.
6. Make a test print
Prepare your printing surface:
Lay down your felt (or layered fabric)
Place your cotton fabric on top, right side facing up
Position your stamp face down onto the fabric.
Using your roller (or rolling pin), roll firmly over the back of the stamp - up and down, side to side, and diagonally - so the whole surface makes good contact. Be careful not to move the stamp as you do this.
Carefully peel the stamp away to reveal your print.
Don’t worry if the colour on the test print doesn't come out too well. I always think it’s a bit like making pancakes, the first one is usually a bit meh. But as you re ink and print, the ink will build and each print be more solid in colour.
7. Adjust and print again
Re-ink your stamp and do another test print. You might need to tweak your pressure or how much ink you’re using.
Once you’re happy, ink up again and make your final print onto your fabric.
8. Build your pattern
Continue inking up the stamp each time you print, repeating your design to create a tiled effect across the fabric.
Keep the positioning of each tile as neat as possible but for a traditional Delft feel perfection isn't required.
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