Printing on Fabric with computer or color copier

There are two ways of applying images onto fabric. You can use photo transfer paper, which is a method of copying your image onto special paper and then transferring the image to your fabric with a hot iron or a hot press. Or you can use a color copier to transfer your image. The papers for each method are different. These papers can be purchased from a store like Staples or from your Quilt store. Your office supplies store sells paper made by Hewlett Packard, Canon and Epson, to name the more popular brands. They are ‘hot peel’ brands, meaning that after they are heat-set, you peel the backing paper off.

The procedure is as follows: an image is printed or copied onto a specially coated/treated paper. If you are using your computer, you must scan the object onto your computer; you will then print the image onto your photo transfer paper, using your computer printer.

That paper is then placed face down on the fabric and heat is applied and the image is transferred (in reverse) to the fabric.

OR you can take your image to a place that does color copier printing. You will give them your coated paper, which will be used to transfer your image on.

One type of paper works with ink jet (or bubble jet) type printers and the other works with color copiers. They are not interchangeable. Copiers and laser computer printers set images by heat. Ink jet computer printers do not use heat to set images. Heat helps make a more permanent image. Since the transfer papers that go through the ink jet printers are not exposed to heat, they can iron on very easily because their overall melt temperature can be lower. Be sure that the paper you use is designed for your printer.

There are 2 types of color computer printers. If your printer has a fuser roller, which is hot, and the print comes out hot, you have a printer that uses toners. These are the more expensive laser printers, like the Apple LaserWriter. If you have a print which comes out cool and wet, you have an ink jet type printer. Another important consideration is that the computer printers that use toners make permanent colors. Ink jet and bubble jet inks are fugitive, that is, they fade in the light. Ink jet inks will last less than 2 years.

Color Copier Transfer

Color copier transfers have become popular over the past few years. Color copier transfer paper has a thick wax coating that is suited for color copier toners. The paper goes through the color copier and the color toners are become imbedded into the wax on the paper.

Ink Jet Color Transfers:

With the help of a scanner, you transfer your image onto your computer. You then print the image onto the coated transfer paper. The layer of wax coating is thin. Since it does not use heat to print the image, you require less heat to transfer the image to fabric.

How to transfer the printed image to your fabric:

Remember to get the image flipped so that it is mirrored onto the paper or else, when you transfer the image to your fabric, the image will be flipped. Your iron must be set at 350°F - 375°F, and you press for 8-12 seconds with medium to heavy pressure. Crease a tiny corner so that you have a spot to hang on to in order to peel the backing paper off.

Fabric:

The fabric you use must be able be able to withstand the amount of heat you will have to use to transfer the image. Some synthetic fabrics begin to melt at 250°F, so they should not be used for high temperature transfer papers.

There is often a certain amount of image distortion as you are pulling the transfer paper away from the fabric at an angle. Most transfer papers can be ironed on after you have transferred the image. You can easily iron the image square again. If the product you use is rubbery, you may not be able to iron the image. In this case, the transfer may peel and crack with age and is not recommended for a quilt.

After your quilt is washed, you should be able to apply your iron onto the image to cover up any cracks that was caused by washing. This will also help re-set the image and adjust any imperfections the washing may have caused.

You should pre-wash the fabric to get rid of the sizing, to allow the image to imbed into the fabric and not sit on the surface. Sometimes, the sizing can cause the surrounding fabric to shine or scorch.  Any fabric can be used as long as it can withstand the heat used.

Polyester/cotton polished broadcloth makes a transfer that has sheen like satin. Use the fabric that will complement your product.

Not all copier shops will use your photo transfer paper as they are afraid the heat on the wax will melt and damage or mess up the copier. However, the wax adhesive used today is very thin and it is meant for use with modern-day copiers. It should not cause any damage. Shop around for a copier shop that will accept your paper. Some copier shops will offer to make the image transfer with their own paper but the image is thick and rubbery and not as soft as the paper sold in Quilt shops.

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