Rust Printing Class in Forlì: Make Your Own Fabric Design

Design and print your own fabric using traditional Emilia-Romagna techniques

A two-hour rust printing class in Forlì's historical centre where you carve decorative patterns onto pear wood blocks, mix printing dyes, and use your handmade stamps to print a unique design onto cloth. The finished fabric takes 24–36 hours to cure and can be shipped to you afterward. Children from age 8 are welcome with an adult. The workshop is wheelchair accessible and offers instruction in English, Italian, French or Chinese.

The experience

Rust printing is a traditional craft of Emilia-Romagna, and this workshop puts you inside the process from start to finish. You work in the artisan's atelier-shop in Forlì's historical centre, where she walks you through carving the wooden stamps: the decorative patterns come from regional symbols like roosters, wheat spikes and grapes, or you design your own original motif. Once the stamps are carved, you mix the printing dyes and press your design onto cloth. The result is wash-resistant and entirely yours.

Your printed fabric needs 24 to 36 hours for the dye to set. After that, you can request it to be shipped to you. A practical detail that means you don't have to carry a wet textile through the rest of your trip. The workshop supplies the cloth, wooden stamps and colours. You bring the design and the hands.

What’s included

• Cloth, wooden stamps and printing dyes.
• instruction from a local artisan.
• your finished printed fabric (ready after 24–36 hours for colour to set).

Days and timesDaily

AgesAges 18+ · 8 to 17 years · Under 8 — No ticket type: can't be added to a booking

Meeting point and pickupNo pickup · ends where it startsMeeting point, per the operator: “The meeting point is under the statue of Aurelio Saffi in Piazza Saffi.”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Clara

Is this one for you?The two-hour session is hands-on from carving to printing, so you'll be standing and working with tools and dyes the whole time. Book this if you want to leave with something you made yourself, even if the finished piece arrives by post after you've gone home.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, French, Italian and Chinese.

Can children come?

8 to 17 years. Under 8: no ticket type, they can't be added to a booking.

What happens to the fabric after I print it?

Your printed cloth needs 24 to 36 hours for the colour to fix. Once it's ready, you can arrange to have it shipped to you, so you don't need to carry it while you travel.

Is the workshop accessible if I use a wheelchair?

Yes, the workshop is fully wheelchair accessible, with all areas and surfaces accessible to visitors using mobility aids.

What traditional patterns can I choose for my wooden stamps?

The workshop offers traditional Emilia-Romagna motifs: roosters, the caveja (a decorative wrought iron pivot), wheat spikes and grapes, or you can design your own original floral or decorative pattern.