Tuesday Tutorial ---- Printing on Fabric ---Script Ribbon

Have you been wanting to try printing on fabric in your printer but not sure how to go about it?   Today I have prepared a tutorial for you to show you how easy it really is.    We are going to print some  Script Ribbon.

The first thing you are going to need is some freezer paper.   It is available in 8 1/2  x  11 sheets and also comes in 8 1/2 x  50 ft rolls.   Today I am using the roll because I need a piece 14 inches long for my project.

I am using white muslin for this project.  (Tea-dyed muslin would be great to use,  too.)    Cut a 14 inch long piece of freezer paper.    Now the first thing you are going to do is to iron the freezer paper to your fabric.  
First I lay the freezer paper on top of the fabric and lightly iron it to the fabric.

Turn the fabric over now and iron it from the fabric side.   The reason I do this is because you will usually get bubbles in the fabric and they need to be ironed out.  
Now turn the fabric to the back again and cut the excess fabric away from the paper.   Take your time and do this accurately because you don't want any loose fabric to get caught in your printer as it rolls through it.

With the fabric side up,  using strong pressure iron the fabric again, paying particular attention to the outside edges,   making sure the fabric is completely adhered to the freezer paper.   Now you are ready to start printing.

Next you will need to set your printer for printing your image on the fabric.    Open your printable image up and on the toolbar at the top of the page,  click on file and then print.

Select your printer and then click on properties.  

Select the text and image option and then under paper size,  8 1/2 x 14.   (If you don't have this option on your printer,  you can use the 8 1/2 x 11 option. Your ribbon will just be shorter.)  Then click ok.

Put your fabric into the printer and because of it's length you will probably have to lightly hold the fabric up until it starts feeding into the printer.

Click on the final ok and your printer will start to print your image on to the fabric.   And here is the finished product.

Now with a rotary cutter cut the script strips,  leaving 1/4 inch of white fabric on each side of the script.   This will give you four lengths of fabric ribbon.   Some examples of ways to use this ribbon is for altered art projects,  pillows,  and atc cards.

I want to thank Deena of http://www.ewenmeprintables.com for the use of her  Script Ribbon Printable.  

I have been printing on fabric for over six years now and I highly recommend using one of the Epson Stylus printers. I been using the Epson C88+ for several years now.     Epson's dura brite ink is one of the best on the market.  It is highly resistant to fading.

Be sure and read your printer manual to see if your printer will take the thickness of the fabric.   I have found that if it won't print on cardstock,  it won't print on the fabric/freezer paper.  
I also would not recommend using a printer that feeds paper in from the bottom. 

Jamming the fabric up in your printer is the main thing you want to be careful of.   This seldom happens to me today because I take care to make sure my fabric is tightly adhered to the freezer paper,  especially on all the edges. 

Your printer nozzles will clog up after printing on fabric and you will need to run the printer head cleaner every so often.   I do a lot of printing of black images and I have to clean the heads after every 3rd print.   Color printing doesn't seem to require it that often.

Bette

Disclaimer:   Printing on fabric in your printer is at your own risk.

Printing on Fabric Using Freezer Paper...

~ please read all instructions before you begin ~

Cut a piece of freezer paper at 8.5" x 11" 

Iron the shiny side face down on a piece of muslin.

Once the paper is attached to the muslin, trim the muslin to the same size as the paper, 8.5" x 11".

Be sure to check for stray threads and trim away any excess fabric that isn’t bonded to the freezer paper along the edges.

Place the fabric sheet in the paper tray of your printer, it’s best to have some other paper below the fabric sheet – it just helps the fabric sheet to feed thru better.

Now, print your image.

You’ll probably have to play with the settings on your printer to achieve the quality you’re after. Once you figure out what works best, I suggest that you write it down so you’ll know for next time.

Once the fabric is printed, let it sit for a minute or two until the ink is dry. Gently peel away the freezer paper backing.

A Note About Ink:
Some inks for inkjet printers are not colorfast so you’ll need to test that out, you don’t want your project ruined if it should get wet.
I use an Epson printer and Epson Durabrite ink which is permanent. I’ve even washed the printed fabric and it still looks great!

A Note About Freezer Paper:
Freezer paper is found in most grocery stores in the same aisle as foil, plastic wrap, etc. Make sure it says FREEZER paper. Do not use wax paper, it’s not the same thing and wax paper won’t work.
I like to use pre-cut 8.5”x11” sheets of freezer paper. It really saves some time. I buy mine from www.cjenkinscompany.com They also have pre-treated printable fabric and fabric sheets.

The Fine Print:
I have never had any problems using this method of printing. However, I will NOT be responsible for any damages that may occur to your printer by using this method of printing. If you follow these directions you are printing at your own risk.

The images being printed for this tutorial are from www.EweNmePrintables.com

Thanks for joining us again!
Deena Davis
www.byuourhands.com