How to Print on Fabric
Kelly HansonPrinting 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.
Thank you so much for the info for printing pictures on fabrics. Have not done this for years and wanted to see if there were new products to use. Very useful video!
I have done a lot of memory quilts. I have found a product called Bubble Jet Set works great and is much less expensive if you have a lot of pictures to do. You can also cut the fabric to the size you need so there is very little waste. You soak the fabric in the Bubble Jet Set, let it dry and iron it onto freezer paper. Put it through your inkjet printer. There is a rinse that you can use to remove any extra ink if this is an item that is going to be washed.
Great information! I would like to try this technique and have put it on my list for 2022. I do have some questions When using this on a quilt, is it appliquéd on? Used as a block? Do we quilt over it? Or if appliqued, is it applied after quilting the quilt? Any information will be appreciated. Thanks.
Hi Linda. Thanks for contacting NQC. There are many approaches when it comes to quilting. Decisions usually come from personal preference. When I have used the “printed pictures” to fabric technique I decided that faces should remain unquilted. Lines across the face are too distorting for my liking. I tend to do some simple “outlining” of the major shapes in the background and leave the people/faces without quilting. I realize that leaves some areas with less stitching, but many times this type of quilt isn’t laundered heavily so concerns about the batting shifting are not an issue. Adding personal photos of people and places to a quilt is such an act of love – connecting the quilter, the quilt and those priceless memories.
Happy Quilting
Colleen
National Quilters Circle
I found the EQ product would NOT run through my Epson printer. The backing was too slick and it jammed every time I tried. A friend had to print the sheets of quilt labels for our Guild for me.
Super excited about this! I’ve been searching for a way to transfer photos to fabric that will stay and look professional (I’m making a quilt for a fan group project). This is the only place I’ve found anything that looks promising. Thank you so much. I’ll try to remember to share pics when my project is finished:)
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
National Quilters Circle Video Membership
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
National Quilters Circle Video Membership
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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,
Ashlely NQC Video Membership
We’d love to have you be a part of our community. We are convinced you will enjoy the benefits of becoming a member and having access to the best instructional how to videos and professional tips. We would like to offer you a special promotion for your first year membership.
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Thank you so much for your video on the printable fabric! Your instructions were very clear and easy to follow. Everything came out perfect!
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