Reactive printing is how natural fabrics get deep, clear colour and keep their soft feel. The dye goes into the fibre itself, so the print becomes part of the fabric.
It is how we print every cotton, linen and viscose base. Here is how it works, which bases it covers and how to look after your printed fabric.
What reactive printing gives you
From print to finished fabric
Steaming and washing are the steps that give natural fibres their soft hand and deep colour, so every cotton, linen and viscose print goes through both.
Which method for each fabric
Each method is matched to the fibre, so every base gets the method that suits it best.
How colour looks on each base
Smooth, tightly woven cottons such as Cotton Poplin and Cotton Lawn give the crispest detail. Pure Linen and the slub bases show their texture through the print, which gives colour a soft, painterly look. To see your design on a base, order a 25 × 25cm swatch.
Looking after printed fabric
Pre-wash cotton and linen before you cut, as you would any natural fibre. Each fabric page has the care details for that base.
New from our studios
Original designs by independent artists, printed to order on the base you choose, from 1m.
NewShrimps Cute Sea LifeJackie Tahara of UnBlink Studio
NewTossed Hydrangea Florals English Country Heritage-Sandra Herrgott Designs
NewGeometric Diamond Leaf TrellisAline Bea
Happy DanceRachel Parker
Peaches & CherriesCatherine Marion Art
Nutcracker Christmas Stripesbhldesigns
Coastal Rustic Traditional PlaidMarie Le Moal
Yellow StripesAdeline-Julie Bee
Prints on natural fibres
Reactive printing questions
What is reactive printing?
A way of printing natural fabrics with reactive dyes. After printing, the fabric is steamed and washed, which sets the colour into the fibre itself. The result is deep colour on fabric that stays soft and breathable.
Which fabrics are printed with reactive dyes?
Natural fibres: cotton, linen, viscose, lyocell and their blends. At The Fabric Shop that is every cotton, linen and viscose base, from Cotton Lawn to Cotton Canvas.
Does reactive printing change how the fabric feels?
No. Nothing sits on the surface, so the fabric keeps the hand and drape it had before printing.
How do I care for reactive printed fabric?
Gentle machine wash, cool to warm, with a mild detergent free of bleach. Turn finished garments inside out and line dry in the shade.
Can I print my own design with reactive printing?
Yes. Upload your artwork on the Custom Upload page and choose any cotton, linen or viscose base.