The Art of Natural Rust Printing: Create Stunning, Organic Textile Designs with Beauty of Nature

Learn how to screen print with rust and create soulful, organic designs on fabric—using nothing but rust, time, and your creative intuition.

You’re an artist—your work deserves materials that feel as original and expressive as you are.
But finding the right fabric can feel like an endless search. Store-bought prints are everywhere… and somehow, none of them feel quite right.

What if you could create your own?
What if you could turn something as humble—and often unwanted—as rust into a beautiful, one-of-a-kind design element?

Now you can.

The Frustration So Many Artists Feel

You’re constantly searching for fabric that feels original—something that speaks to your voice, your work, your style. But what you find in stores (or even online) all looks the same: mass-produced, over-designed, and creatively limiting.

It’s discouraging. You know what you want your work to feel like—but your materials don’t support that vision. You end up settling… or putting your projects on hold, waiting for inspiration to strike.

But what if you didn’t have to wait?

What if you could create fabrics that are textured, soulful, and completely your own—without relying on what the industry gives you?

That’s where rust comes in.

Screen Printing with Rust gives you a clear, natural, and expressive process for making fabric that feels alive—with materials that are accessible, affordable, and rooted in the rhythms of nature.

Introducing: Screen Printing with Rust

Screen Printing with Rust offers a refreshing return to the raw, tactile joy of making. Using nothing but iron and fabric, you’ll learn how to create richly textured, organic designs that are impossible to replicate.

This is a process rooted in nature, guided by your hand, and full of creative possibility.

It’s not about perfection—it’s about expression. You’ll rediscover the freedom of making something unpredictable and deeply personal. And in the process, you’ll reconnect with your creativity in a way that feels grounded, exciting, and completely your own.

What Makes This Process So Special

Rust is often seen as decay—something broken down or past its prime. But in this process, it becomes a source of richness and beauty.

Working with rust is about reclaiming what’s been overlooked. It’s a reminder that even the most ordinary, weathered things can leave behind something meaningful. What once seemed ruined becomes a tool for expression—a way to create marks that are textured, layered, and full of story.

There’s a quiet kind of magic in turning something discarded into something deeply personal. And that’s what makes this practice so powerful.

What You’ll Learn

This course is designed to walk you through every step of the rust printing process—from gathering supplies to pulling your final print.

You’ll learn how to:

  • Mix your own rust paste from safe, accessible materials
  • Build simple silk screens using low-cost supplies
  • Create expressive, one-of-a-kind prints with texture and soul
  • Preserve your prints so they’re long-lasting and usable
  • Use your rust wastewater to make vintage-inspired companion fabrics

Even if you’ve never printed before, these lessons will guide you gently and clearly—so you can create work that feels grounded, personal, and deeply satisfying.

What's In This Course

Introduction

Begin with intention as you gather your tools and step into a slower, nature-rooted process that invites creativity and discovery.

Lesson 1: Materials and Supplies

Get an overview of the tools and materials you'll use throughout the process—all simple, affordable, and easy to find

Lesson 2: Safety & Workspace Set-Up

Set up a safe, simple workspace and learn how to handle materials with care—no special studio required

Lesson 3: Fabric Options

You’ll learn which fabrics work best with rust, which to avoid, and how to pick the right one for your project

Lesson 4: Screen Options

Explore three low-cost, beginner-friendly ways to make your own silkscreens using materials you may already have at home

Lesson 5: Make the Rust Paste

Mix and store your rust paste safely—this forms the base for your rust printing paste

Lesson 6: Print Your Desing

Apply your design through the screen and discover how rust interacts with fabric to create organic, textured results

Lesson 7: Wash Out and Post Treatment

Stop the chemical reaction safely and preserve your prints so they stay beautiful and durable over time

Lesson 8: Troubleshooting

Get help with common challenges and learn how to adjust, adapt, and stay curious throughout the process

Lesson 9: Wrap-Up

Reflect on what you’ve learned and discover how to keep building on your skills with confidence and creativity

Gallery

See examples of rust-printed fabrics created using these methods—real textures, real results, real transformation

Bonus Lesson: Vintage-Inspired Fabrics

Learn how to repurpose rusty wastewater to create aged, antique-style companion fabrics


Here’s What You’ll Get When You Sign Up

When you join Screen Printing with Rust, you’ll get:

  • 12 easy-to-follow video lessons
  • Printable guides, checklists, and support materials
  • Bonus lesson: Vintage-Inspired Fabrics
  • Monthly live Zoom Q&A sessions
  • Private gallery for inspiration
  • Lifetime access so you can learn at your own pace

Whether you want to complete the course in a weekend or spread it out slowly, the process is yours to explore—again and again.

This Course Is For You If…

  • You’re a textile artist or creative who wants to move beyond store-bought fabric and create something truly your own
  • You’re curious about natural surface design and love experimenting with texture, time, and organic materials
  • You’re looking for a slower, more soulful way to make art
  • You’re new to screen printing—or you’ve done it before, but want to try a more intuitive, nature-based approach
  • You love the idea of turning something overlooked—like rust—into something beautiful and expressive

This Course May Not Be for You If…

  • You prefer fast, rigid, step-by-step outcomes with predictable results
  • You’re looking for polished, digital-perfect surface design techniques
  • You’re not interested in natural processes or getting your hands a little messy
  • You want a fully finished product without engaging in experimentation or creative play

What I Hope You’ll Experience

This course is built on years of teaching natural dyeing and surface design to artists who crave something slower, more intentional, and deeply personal.

Screen Printing with Rust is more than a how-to—it’s a process, a practice, a permission slip to explore, experiment, and reconnect with your creative instincts using simple materials and the power of nature.

As soon as students start sharing their experiences, I’ll be adding their kind words here. I can’t wait to see what you create.

Get Lifetime Access for Just $69


Our Satisfaction Promise

I want you to feel confident and supported as you explore this process. That’s why Screen Printing with Rust comes with a 15-day satisfaction promise.

While I don’t offer refunds due to the digital nature of the course, I’m committed to helping you get the most from your experience. If you have questions or feel stuck, just reach out—I’ll do everything I can to guide you forward.


Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need screen printing experience to take this course?

Not at all. This course is designed for all levels, including complete beginners. Each step is explained clearly and simply—no fancy equipment or prior experience needed

 

How long does the course take to complete?

That’s up to you! It’s completely self-paced. You can move through it in a creative weekend or stretch it out over time as you experiment and explore

 

Do I need a special space or studio to do this?

Not at all. Everything in this course can be done at home with a simple setup. You’ll learn how to work safely and efficiently—even in a small space

Will the rust damage my fabric over time?

You’ll learn how to safely neutralize and preserve your prints so they last beautifully. Proper care is part of the process—and it’s covered in detail inside the course

 

What if I have questions as I go?

You’ll have access to monthly Q&A sessions where you can ask questions and get support. And of course, I’m here to help—just reach out anytime

 

Is rust printing messy or hard to clean up?

Surprisingly, no! While the process looks earthy and expressive, it’s quite manageable. You’ll learn how to set up a simple, contained workspace and clean up safely with minimal fuss—no special studio required

 

Let This Be the Beginning of Something Beautiful

If you’ve been craving a slower, more soulful way to create—something rooted in nature, intention, and your own voice—this is your invitation.

Screen Printing with Rust isn’t just a course. It’s a process, a practice, a creative homecoming.

I’d love to have you join me inside.

Includes 12 video lessons + lifetime access for $69

About The Instructor

Angie Knowles is a mixed media textile artist and educator who has been creating hand-dyed fabrics since 2008. Deeply rooted in natural surface design techniques, Angie brings a calm, clear, and encouraging approach to teaching—breaking down complex processes into simple, accessible steps.

Her passion for rust printing grew from a love of working with overlooked materials and reviving old dyeing techniques that are no longer widely practiced. Angie is drawn to the warm, organic nature of rust and the way it transforms something once considered undesirable into something beautiful and expressive.

She’s known for her patient, down-to-earth teaching style and her ability to help students feel confident—even if they’re trying something for the first time. Through this course, she invites artists to slow down, reconnect with their materials, and see new possibilities in the unexpected.

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