I printed a lot of labels with my Dell ink jet printer. I used a very good off-white muslin with a smooth finish. I washed the fabric first to remove any sizing, dried it, and ironed it to a sheet of freezer paper. Then after I printed on the fabric I let it sit for maybe 10 minutes, then ironed it. Then washed in cold water. Then repeat. Using black ink was fine, but the color inks faded out terribly.
I switched to Epson and the ink washed out, black and color both. Called the company and they said it was because of the type of ink they made. They said let it sit for 24 hours. So I used one of those pretreated sheets and the label came out perfect, but waaaay too white. So I coffee-dyed it. BOY HOWDY did it take the dye! After less than 5 minutes it was a lovely tan! Those sheets really do work, but expensive!
I just got a Kodak printer, it prints fabulously (at least so far...I've used it once)! I let the printed fabric sit for 24 hours, and then did the Iron-Wash-Iron thing, not a bit of fade with either black or color. Kodak rocks!