–Triveni Goswami Vernal
Registered Special Educator (CRR No: A64010)

Continuing the series on Self-Employment Opportunities for the Neurodiverse, today’s blog will look at Art based merchandising and Printing, as avenues of possible income for neurodiverse individuals.

1) ART BASED MERCHANDISING: Art based Merchandising involves the licensing of artworks or its reproduction on various products, for sale. The possibilities of reproduction are endless. They can include, but are not limited to clothing (t-shirts, jackets, scarves/stoles, caps etc), kitchenware (mugs, plates, bottles, coasters), home-décor (art prints, framed artworks, posters, wall hangings etc), stationery (sketch books, pencils, pens, diaries, greeting cards, note cards etc) and other utility ware.

Source: https://medium.com/@certifiedmish/best-merch-ideas-for-your-band-c42a76f47046
There are several websites that print art-based products. The key is to always try out with a smaller number of products to test the quality of printing and time-lines for delivery and the cost of the product, before placing a big order. One can also approach a local printer, if feasible.

WEBSITES THAT PRINT ART BASED MERCHANDISE:

www.printo.in
www.vistaprint.in
https://www.yourprint.in
www.printvenue.com
www.canvaschamp.in
https://inkmonk.com
https://www.arcprint.in
https://printposters.in

2) PRINTING: Printing can be done on textile and paper. There are various techniques of Printing—Wood block printing, Linocut printing, Screen printing, Ecoprinting etc. Printing can be done with synthetic dyes, paints or even natural dyes.

a) Wood Block Printing: In Wood Block Printing, wooden blocks with various designs engraved on them, are used to print the design on textile or paper. Synthetic dye paste or Natural dye paste can be used to print the designs.

Source: https://www.woodenprintingblock.com/

b) Linocut Printing: In Linocut printing, a block/stamp can be made carved out on a piece of Linoleum (made of various natura ingredients like pine resin, saw dust etc). Alternatively, a block of Rubber can also be used to carve out the stamp.

Source: https://bertandroxy.com/blogs/journal/what-is-linocut-printing

c) Screen Printing: It is a technique where a mesh or a screen is used to transfer the dye/paint to a surface, except on areas that don’t allow the dye/paint to permeate through.

Source: https://biddlesawyersilks.com/what-is-screen-printing-the-process-explained/

d) Ecoprinting: In Ecoprinting, natural foliage is printed on cellulose or protein fabrics, through an intensive process of layering the fabric with foliage, bundling it tight and steaming it for several hours using various mordants, natural fixatives and natural dyes to print the image of the leaves, flowers, barks etc on the fabric.

Source: https://www.whatsonglasgow.co.uk/event/102167-eco-printing-with-wild-hues/

There are several online courses available for Printing:
https://www.memeraki.com/products/17th-18th-dec-online-block-printing-workshop-with-santosh-kumar-dhanopia

https://www.himanshuartinstitute.com/art-and-craft-workshops/drawing-painting-art-and-craft-workshop-for-adults/block-printing-workshop-for-young-n-adults-in-delhi.html

https://www.amohaprints.com/

https://www.colorashram.com/workshops/p/printing-with-natural-dyes-block-screen-eco-print

https://iisdt.in/product/diploma-in-screen-printing/

Thus, we see that there are several options available in Art Based Merchandising as well as Printing, and there are endless possibilities for creating meaningful products by an individual.

***********

Author Triveni Goswami Vernal

Triveni Goswami Vernal is an Autism advocate, registered Special Educator (CRR A64010) and an Independent Researcher. Her areas of interest include Autism, Disability Rights, Gender, Art and Northeast studies. She is a mum to an 12 year old on the Autism Spectrum.

Artwork “Bunch of Flowers “
Acrylic on Canvas
Artist Kabir Vernal