Iron-On Transfers verse Printing on fabric directly?!
05-01-2013, 10:38 AM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: North Dakota
Posts: 258
Iron-On Transfers verse Printing on fabric directly?!
I bought some iron-on transfer sheets for ink jet printers size 4x6....I am making a block with a picture on in the center of it... you would print off your picture onto the transfer, then iron-on the transfer sheet to the material.
I did try printing directly onto the fabric and then washed it to see if it would fade and indeed it did, it faded enough to know that after like 4 years or less I bet you could hardly read it..the method I used was put my fabric onto freezer paper then ran it through my printer then ironed it to set the ink...then the next day I ironed it again and put it into the wash with a tiny bit of arm and hammer washing detergant...
Does anyone have any experience of which method holds up best after washings and shows least amount of wear after time? The only thing that scares me about iron-on transfers is cracking and it flaking off...has anyone had that happen?
I did try printing directly onto the fabric and then washed it to see if it would fade and indeed it did, it faded enough to know that after like 4 years or less I bet you could hardly read it..the method I used was put my fabric onto freezer paper then ran it through my printer then ironed it to set the ink...then the next day I ironed it again and put it into the wash with a tiny bit of arm and hammer washing detergant...
Does anyone have any experience of which method holds up best after washings and shows least amount of wear after time? The only thing that scares me about iron-on transfers is cracking and it flaking off...has anyone had that happen?
05-01-2013, 11:04 AM
#2
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: home again, after 27 yrs!
Posts: 19,388
sometimes things need to sit a day or more before being washed. Did you use Bubble jet set or pre-treated fabric you bought? oh was it an ink jet printer? that too makes a big difference.
05-01-2013, 12:32 PM
#3
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: North Dakota
Posts: 258
Originally Posted by nativetexan
sometimes things need to sit a day or more before being washed. Did you use Bubble jet set or pre-treated fabric you bought? oh was it an ink jet printer? that too makes a big difference.
...I had watched some youtube videos and they never used anything like pre treat or bubble jet set on theirs...I just put a iron-on onto some fabric and am going to see how it looks after I wash it.
05-01-2013, 11:36 PM
#5
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Southwest Kansas
Posts: 4,820
Originally Posted by QuiltingByCourtney
I bought some iron-on transfer sheets for ink jet printers size 4x6....I am making a block with a picture on in the center of it... you would print off your picture onto the transfer, then iron-on the transfer sheet to the material.
I did try printing directly onto the fabric and then washed it to see if it would fade and indeed it did, it faded enough to know that after like 4 years or less I bet you could hardly read it..the method I used was put my fabric onto freezer paper then ran it through my printer then ironed it to set the ink...then the next day I ironed it again and put it into the wash with a tiny bit of arm and hammer washing detergant...
Does anyone have any experience of which method holds up best after washings and shows least amount of wear after time? The only thing that scares me about iron-on transfers is cracking and it flaking off...has anyone had that happen?
I did try printing directly onto the fabric and then washed it to see if it would fade and indeed it did, it faded enough to know that after like 4 years or less I bet you could hardly read it..the method I used was put my fabric onto freezer paper then ran it through my printer then ironed it to set the ink...then the next day I ironed it again and put it into the wash with a tiny bit of arm and hammer washing detergant...
Does anyone have any experience of which method holds up best after washings and shows least amount of wear after time? The only thing that scares me about iron-on transfers is cracking and it flaking off...has anyone had that happen?
05-02-2013, 02:55 AM
#6
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
fabric has to be pre-washed- with detergent, no fabric softener before printing- to remove the sizing/chemicals so the inks can saturate the fibers- either bubble jet set or soda ash will work- and purchase good quality permenent ink cartridges- don't use the lesser expensive-off brand, refillable cartridges- those inks are meant to wash out.
let the ink *cure* - i generally give it at least 24 hours- then heat set-
if using the transfers- with time they do (fade or crack) just like a t-shirt with iron on transfers---to avoid that it is best to not launder it often- fold the transfers in before putting into wash (t-shirts they tell you to turn inside out before washing) and always use cold water - a low heat dry---they will last a long time if they are treated (gently and correctly- so will printed fabric)
let the ink *cure* - i generally give it at least 24 hours- then heat set-
if using the transfers- with time they do (fade or crack) just like a t-shirt with iron on transfers---to avoid that it is best to not launder it often- fold the transfers in before putting into wash (t-shirts they tell you to turn inside out before washing) and always use cold water - a low heat dry---they will last a long time if they are treated (gently and correctly- so will printed fabric)
05-02-2013, 06:16 AM
#7
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: North Dakota
Posts: 258
Originally Posted by ckcowl
fabric has to be pre-washed- with detergent, no fabric softener before printing- to remove the sizing/chemicals so the inks can saturate the fibers- either bubble jet set or soda ash will work- and purchase good quality permenent ink cartridges- don't use the lesser expensive-off brand, refillable cartridges- those inks are meant to wash out.
let the ink *cure* - i generally give it at least 24 hours- then heat set-
if using the transfers- with time they do (fade or crack) just like a t-shirt with iron on transfers---to avoid that it is best to not launder it often- fold the transfers in before putting into wash (t-shirts they tell you to turn inside out before washing) and always use cold water - a low heat dry---they will last a long time if they are treated (gently and correctly- so will printed fabric)
let the ink *cure* - i generally give it at least 24 hours- then heat set-
if using the transfers- with time they do (fade or crack) just like a t-shirt with iron on transfers---to avoid that it is best to not launder it often- fold the transfers in before putting into wash (t-shirts they tell you to turn inside out before washing) and always use cold water - a low heat dry---they will last a long time if they are treated (gently and correctly- so will printed fabric)
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
craftybear
Main
47
09-06-2010 10:21 AM
