Printing on fabric can be a great way to add photos and other personal touches to a quilt. Kelly Hanson shares with you two of her favorite products to use when printing on fabric and explains how to use them.
Set Up
When preparing to do any kind of image transfer technique on a quilt project you want to ensure you are using the right kind of printer. For printing on fabric you want to use an inkjet printer with high quality ink. This will help ensure that you get a good quality photo that will last.
Products
Another key factor in how long a photo printed on fabric will last is what product you are printing it on. While one way to transfer images to fabric may be to simply tape a piece of fabric to printer paper and run it through your printer, this doesn’t alway create a photo that can stand up to repeated washing. Kelly shares one of her favorite product to use instead that can be laundered – Threads. Threads is a 100% cotton poplin sheet of fabric that you can run through your inkjet printer. Another product Kelly likes to use is called EQ Printables. It is also a sheet of cotton fabric that can be used in a printer. With either product she is using, Kelly explains how she begins by printing and image on the fabric. She then lets it dry and uses a series of several steps including washing and pressing to ensure the image is set on the fabric. Once it is dry and the image has been set, you can remove the paper or plastic backing from the fabric sheet and you are ready to use it on your next quilting project, whether you incorporate it into a block or applique it in place.
Do you use a photo inkjet printer or just a plain inkjet printer?
Good Morning,
You can use either one and still have permanent results. However, the photo printer will provide a better quality print.
Enjoy,
Heather Thomas
Thank you so much for your video on the printable fabric! Your instructions were very clear and easy to follow. Everything came out perfect!
When printing on to fabric what type works best? I have some tight weave cotton that is extremely nice to the touch. But I notice some of the fabric people use is a looser weave and a rough finish. Which is best?
Hello Verna,
I find that the tighter weave fabric works the best, however the type of fabric you choose to use can vary depending on the end result you are going for. Most printable fabric sheets, whether they are tighter or more loosely woven, will work just fine for any project.
Hope this helps!
Cheers,
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A question…..i did a memory quilt. A photo Is peling and cracquing….Is there a way to reparle it., with a plastic film or glue of some kind….thank you for answering
Hello Louise,
Yes, you may be able to repair it with glue, however you may not be able to wash the quilt once you do this. You can also try adding a thin layer of plastic film or clear fabric paint or glue over the photo to help hold it in place.
Cheers,
Ashley
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what exact printer did you use for the samples you showed? I would appreciate this info since I need to buy a printer and like the quality shown. Many thanks! Tracey
Hello Tracey,
You can use any type of printer, however a photo printer will provide the best quality of print.
Thanks,
Becky
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