Participation Guidelines
Quick read before your first pop-up. We want you and your beloved items to have the best possible experience.
For Brought Items
Wash it first
Please wash your item before the pop-up. Freshly washed fabric grabs ink so much better. This is the single biggest thing you can do for a great print.
What fabrics work best
Recommended
- 100% cotton (ideal)
- Cotton blends
- Canvas and leather
- Denim and linen
- Most natural-fiber fabrics
- Light to moderate stretch is fine
Avoid
- Nylon and water-resistant fabrics — ink will not bond
- Corduroy and ribbed textures
- Heavily textured or fuzzy pile fabrics — may not print cleanly
When in doubt, bring it anyway and we will take a look together.
At the Pop-Up
Come with patience and good energy
We are a small team and on average do about 30 prints per facilitator per hour. We take a little time with each person to make the interaction feel special, not rushed. Lines can get long at busy FREE Tote events, and we genuinely appreciate your patience.
Bring your own or grab something from us
You are welcome to bring any item from home. We also usually have blank totes, shirts, sweatshirts, and secondhand pieces available to buy on the spot. What we bring depends on the event, so come early for the best selection.
Three stamps per visit (extras available for a small charge)
Start with three stamps per visit. Want more? Additional stamps beyond three are available for a small extra charge. Just ask! We want to make sure everyone gets a turn, so please be mindful of the line.
Stamps retire throughout the day
As stamps get used, some blocks get too saturated to produce a clean print and need to rest for the day. It is first come, first served. Show up early to see the full collection.
Too Hot? We may stop.
On very hot days, ink can start drying on the block in a funky way. As a result, the prints become flaky and the ink will not sink into the fabric correctly. If that happens, we will pause printing or stop for the day rather than rush and give you a bad result. Your item is worth the wait.
Stamps for sale on site
We sell our hand-carved rubber stamps at pop-ups. Retired stamps (stamps being rotated out of our library) are 50% off. Fresh stamps are full price. These make great gifts and come ready to use.
About Your Printed Piece
Every print is one of a kind
We print by hand, on your actual garment, with no two prints being identical. Slight variation, texture, and soft imperfections are part of the process and part of what makes your piece yours.
Air dry for seven days after printing
Once you leave with your freshly printed piece, let it air dry for a full week before throwing it in the wash. This is the curing window where the ink bonds to the fabric. After that, it is machine washable.
Black ink only (unless you pre-ordered)
All pop-up prints are done in black. Want a different color? Reach out ahead of time through our stamp recommendation form and arrange a pre-order. We will make it happen.
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See you at the pop-up.
Hella Hand Carved · Bay Area
Care Instructions for prints & stamps →