Monday, August 30, 2010

How To: Print On Fabric

EDIT:  An updated tutorial with different printing and washing techniques can be found here: http://www.polishthestars.com/2011/09/techniques-for-printing-on-fabric.html

I first saw the tutorial for printing on fabric here. It is so easy! You start with some spray adhesive:


Spray it onto a piece of cardstock and place your fabric on top, being sure to get out as many bubbles as possible. (I recommend spraying the adhesive outside.)


Then cut down the fabric so that it is the exact same size as your cardstock.


Place it in your printer with the fabric facing whichever side gets the ink.


You now have printed fabric!


Just peel it off of the cardstock.


And you are ready to use your new printed fabric!

29 comments:

  1. I would never have guessed it was that easy :) Super cool.

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  2. This is AMAZING! Thanks so much for sharing!!!!

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  3. Great directions! You can also iron your fabric to a piece of freezer paper that has been cut to 6.5x11". The freezer paper adheres to the fabric without having to use the spray glue.

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  4. I worry about it bunching up, I guess you'd have to use a lot of spray adhesive.

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  5. So cool! Thanks for a great idea!

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  6. Do you think this would work with a laser printer or just an inkjet?

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  7. You can also iron Heat N Bond Lite or Heat N Bond Heavy Duty onto cotton fabric and run it through your printer, then you can iron it onto anything. WOrks great!

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  8. Just as long as you don't get it wet this works beautifully.

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  9. I'd like to know the same as Sandi - did you use a laser printer, and is it waterproof?

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  10. That's what I was wondering, can it be washed?

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  11. Awesome! I have to try this! the heatbonding thing is a good idea too! thanks for your creativity sharing!

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  12. I want to know if this can be washed, too!!! Please let us know!
    Email: jkrachow@yahoo.com

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  13. can it be washed is there anything special I need to know to make it wash

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  14. "The most common ways to get washable prints on fabric is to use a product called Bubble Jetset 2000, or purchase fabric sheets that have already been pretreated and precut to size.
    Bubble Jetset 2000"

    Inkjet printer only

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  15. Will it work on any fabric? I'm interested in burlap...what'cha think?

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  16. Kat, I have heard good things about Bubble Jetset 2000 and will be trying it when I revisit this post soon. Thanks! :)

    Lindsay, You can print on burlap as well. Check out this site to see their burlap laundry print: http://www.domestically-speaking.com/2010/09/burlap-laundry-signhow-to.html

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  17. Okay, I'm a noob. How would I transfer this to a shirt?

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  18. Ahh nevermind. I read through the comments and answered my own question. LOL

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  19. Can this be washed, and if so, does it last? Or is this only meant for a memory quilt that is never washed?

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  20. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  21. This is fantastic!! I would have never guessed it would be this easy!! Thanks for sharing!

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  22. I use freezer paper. I cut it to 8.5 X 11 inch size. I iron it onto the fabric, shiney side adheres to the back with a dry iron. Then I just run it through my printer. It does not need to be pretreated if you do not plan to launder the piece. It become permanent through heat activation though so ironing it first will set the colors, I've been told. I have not tried that because I usually us my pieces to make art quilts that are not washed.

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  23. Ok, this might be a dumb question, but what is freezer Paper??

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    1. Freezer paper is normally used to wrap meat and other foods before freezing them. You can find it at Walmart and similar stores with the aluminum foil and waxed paper. To give you a better idea of what you are looking for, I have a picture of a box of it in this post: http://www.polishthestars.com/2010/10/freezer-paper-stencil.html

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  24. this IS a dumb question....what would you do with this fabric that you just printed on?? as you can tell, I'm not a very creative person.

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  25. Thanks you so much for that tip. You can use freezer paper also.I used it on burlap and it looks pretty good. Now I am going to use your technique. I love being retired but miss he $$check!

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  26. Laser is a heat process... the toner will rub off and you CANNOT Iron laser printed fabric! I encourage you to only use ink jet process for printing on fabric or transfers. You cannot iron or wash laser toner. If you do... you will regret it... it will get all over your iron, washing machine, and dryer!

    Ink Jet is the best way to print on fabric! You heat set the ink by ironing between two pieces of muslin... wash it... then iron it again. Just to make sure your ink is well set. If you are just using it for a wall hanging or something you do not intend to wash then a simple heat would do fine.

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Comments make me smile. :)