Behind the Scenes: The Making of Our Hand-Drawn Flour Sack Tea Towels
Have you ever wondered how the charming designs end up on your favorite flour sack tea towels? Unlike mass-produced prints, our tea towels boast unique illustrations created by our talented in house artists. Today, we're taking you on a behind-the-scenes journey to unveil the magic that adds a touch of personality to your kitchen. Whether you're a design enthusiast or you simply love quirky kitchenware, this glimpse into our world will show you the love and dedication poured into every flour sack tea towel.
Ready to be inspired? Let’s go!
Hand Sketching the Design: Where Creativity Takes Root
The magic behind a tea towel from Counter Couture starts with a simple pencil and a keen eye. Richard, our co-owner who has a background in arts, brings his passion for design to life in his Denver studio. Each hand-drawn sketch is a testament to his meticulous attention to detail, from playful patterns to whimsical characters.
Once Richard finalizes a sketch, we use Photoshop or Illustrator to refine the artwork and separate the colors. The next step is printing a film positive, which is essentially a high-contrast copy of the design. Then, we take a screen, which is comprised of polyester mesh stretched over a frame, and apply a light-sensitive emulsion to it. We place the film positive on top. When exposed to light, the emulsion hardens, except in the areas blocked by the film positive. This creates a “stencil” on the mesh, allowing ink to pass through in specific areas to replicate the design.
Now comes the moment of truth—transferring the design onto the tea towel. The prepared screens are mounted onto a printing press, a machine that holds the fabric and allows for precise ink application. For multi-colored designs, each color requires its own screen. Careful registration ensures each color aligns perfectly, creating the final vibrant image. Finally, the ink is cured using heat, ensuring a long-lasting and vibrant design.
We’re proud of our process, and we never cut corners or use low-quality materials or substandard equipment at any stage. What really sets our tea towels apart, though, is the dedication poured into each design. Unlike mass-produced products, every Counter Couture tea towel begins with a unique, hand-drawn sketch that’s sure to add a special touch to your kitchen.
From Minimalist Charm to Hyper-Realistic Detail
Our tea towels cater to a range of tastes. Whether you prefer minimalist flour sack tea towels like our Sasquatch or Bikes design or you appreciate the hyper-realistic detail of the Anatomical Heart or Prize Pig tea towels, we have something to add a touch of personality to your kitchen. And for those who love a touch of rustic charm? Our Cactus or Gardening Tools flour sack tea towels might be the perfect fit.
Which design speaks to you the most? We'd love to hear from you!