Fabric Design for Digital Printing

Learn fabric design in Sydney.

If you would like learn how to design and produce your own fabric or wallpaper print then this is where to start. It’s easier than you think!

Over these sessions you’ll be working alongside a professional textile designer, to create your own beautiful textile design using a combination of hand and digital illustration techniques.

You’ll then layout the design, choose your colour and fabric.

Once you are happy with the result, your design will be sent off for professional printing.

You could then go on to create your own stunning garment or item of soft furnishing with your fabric!

The possibilities are endless and it’s all your own work!

Please note: A basic level understanding of Mac computers is recommended to undertake this course, but is for complete beginners of Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop.

Course content

• Introduction to print design in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop
• Creating a print design from concept through to final outcome
• Appreciate the many sources of inspiration for designs & how to adapt them for printing
• Placement prints
• Pattern repeats
• Learn about different colour palettes, base cloths and their applications for fabric design
• Multi-colour printing
• Preparing a print to send off to printers

Outcomes

By the end of this course you will be able to:

• understand different techniques available to fabric designers
• learn to use basic Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop for fabric design and prepare to send to printers
• learning about different colour palettes, base-cloths and their applications for fabric design
• learn about eco & sustainable benefits of digital printing, and why it is important to make responsible choices
• produce your own unique and professional quality fashion fabric ( you will be given support to place your order and send the file but need to organise your own payment / postage for fabric ordered – fabric is $50 per meter // min 1 meter per order // and postage is around $15 in a small express satchel).

Please bring to each class

• Notepad and paper or a tablet
• A hard drive to store your files (or a min 16GB USB)

After Your Course

To make something special with your fabric, you can take one of our sewing courses here at Sydney Community College:

Sewing Courses at Sydney Community College

Or head to Bobbin & Ink, a sewing and printing studio run by our lovely sewing tutor Laura Walsh, where you can get help and use equipment by the hour to finish your beautiful piece!

Bobbin&Ink

Before the class – please organise:

• 1-5 Illustrations you have made at home (drawn with ink, pen, pencil, watercolour, gouache, etc) - to scan in and create your print with, in the computer
• Please bring a hard drive to store your files (or a min 16GB USB) to all computer classes

Discounts

• Tilly’s Art Supplies in Rozelle, 10% off.
• Art On King Art Supplies in Newtown, 10% off.
• Eckersley’s Art Supplies in York Street, 10% off.
• Natural Fabrics Online, will waive the 20% Service Fee (for orders under $100) and cutting fees (in orders under $200) for students – no minimums.

Student Feedback

"The tutor was patient and helpful and worked with each student individually."

"The tutor explained the technical aspects well and I appreciated her more in depth explanations of how to explore and push the idea of the pattern repeat in a more conceptual sense."

"I achieved results beyond what I was expecting and found the structure of the course suited the way I like to learns things."

"The tutor was very clear in his explanations to the class as a whole; and willing to provide each student with extra information as required by their skill level."

"The tutor was excellent. I missed the middle day due to back problems; but the tutor ensured I was able to produce a design that was print ready. As I missed that middle day I cannot confidently say the course was 10/10 – but suspect so."

"Very knowledgable, approachable and clear communication skills. The content was conveyed in a clear and concise manner with good examples. There was a broad range of skills amongst the students in the class and the tutor accommodated all levels with a great deal of patience for those who were less familiar with the software."

"Good room set up, clean facilities, good computers, central and easy to get to location."

"The course was an excellent introduction to Illustrator and Photoshop without being too basic. The content was presented in a clear manner at a good pace to accommodate all skill levels. Would highly recommend this course to others looking to get an introduction to digital/fabric design."

"Really patient and remained calm with more demanding students. Always answered questions."

"The tutor was a really good teacher and the course was absolutely mind blowing. Very motivating and clear teacher. I’m hoping he can run another version of this course which is the next level of advancement. I enjoyed my time in class and it inspired me to be creative."

"The teacher was absolutely informative and very patient."

"Really enjoyed learning from this tutor. He was very helpful and shared a lot of his knowledge about the industry and the subject. Had a great first experience, already signed up for another course! Was always willing to assist with any question asked and taught at each persons pace. He was an enthusiastic and knowledgeable tutor, generous with his time and industry experience. He catered well to different student experience and expectation and made the course work interesting and fun."

Avoid disappointment. Enrol early.

Please ensure that you have given a valid email and mobile number as all course changes will be communicated via sms or email.