Originally Posted by purrfectquilts

For those who asked, you treat a fabric with Bubble Jet Set (either regular or special formula just for Hewlett Packard printers). Each large bottle will treat about 40 to 50 approximately 9 x 12 inch rectangles of fabric. You can pour back into the bottle whatever you don't use at a time. I soak mine 15 minutes (co. says 5 min.) and drip dry. Press flat and let cool. Stick to something (freezer paper, removeable label sheet, LOL), cut to exactly 8.5 x 11 inches, making sure there is no lint or thread pieces, etc. Print your picture (which you have tweaked, adjusted, cropped to size or otherwise fixed in a photo editing program).

After complete drying, company says 30 minutes, (I wait a couple days because of the type of printer and climate I have), peel off whatever backing you have used, heat set or iron it well with dry iron, let it cool and then it must be agitated for a full minute in a gallon of distilled cold water with 4 capfuls of Bubble Jet Rinse, or a bit of Woolite or even a bit of fabric softener. I usually also add a bit of Retayne. Drip dry, do not wring, press smooth and cut the way you want. If you don't rinse, your photo ink will bleed heavily and fade drastically.

I use distilled water because I don't want the extra chlorine or minerals in the water. And I know some people who use Synthrapol instead of Retayne. Absolute best is an Epson printer that uses Durachrome or Durabrite inks, but Cannon printers work well too. Any printer with an L shaped or flat printing path will work better than one with a U shaped printing path. My printer uses Vivera inks and has a U shaped path ... not the best choice for printing on fabric, but great every other way.

And, in addition to all the above, for certain projects, I also spray the photo with fixative. This would not be for snuggly quilts, but for a wall hanging, art piece, tote bag, etc. Not anything that you would want to iron afterwards...just something you wanted to keep from fading a bit longer.

Keep your printed on fabric photos out of direct sunlight and don't wash too often. They won't last a hundred years, but will last a good while. We have some quilts going on 15 years now and being used and still the pictures are ok although fade more with each washing.

For fabric, you can use just about anything depending on the effect you want. If you use muslin, wash in hot water once or twice and press well first. Or use PFD fabric, or a smooth poplin, percale, sateen, etc. You want a high thread count for most pictures.

But, for an art effect, try printing on a tone on tone, canvas, pastel fabric, etc. Very cool effects...just for fun.

Check in that pricey office supply store (LOL), fabric stores, quilt shops, online at Printed Treasures, EQ Printables, etc. for sheets already prepared so all you have to do is print. There are some that come with a fusible back so you just print and fuse to a project. Many, many ways to go.

Have fun!

Did that cover all the questions?