Making Labels
After last month’s post about finishing tasks, I got several requests for a post about my label-making process. So here goes.
I print my labels onto fabric using my home printer. The first thing to think about is how to ensure the ink is permanent. There are several options:
– Prepared paper-backed fabric sheets. I’ve used several different brands with good results. The only down side is their cost.
– You can buy solutions for treating your own fabric. This involves some planning to allow for soaking and drying times. But, the biggest down side is that it just doesn’t print as well as the prepared sheets. This option is less expensive than prepared sheets.
– Most Epson printers use Durabright inks, which are permanent. With such a printer you don’t need the fabric to be pretreated in any way. This is my preferred method.
Once you’ve answered the ink question, you’ll still need to make sure your fabric will feed through your printer properly. The prepared sheets are handy here, since they’re already sized at 8 1/2 by 11. Otherwise, you’ll need to temporarily mount your fabrics onto something slightly stiff to go through the printer. Freezer paper is a common item for this. Just iron it to your fabric, and cut it into the proper sizes.
I like to use Avery full size labels. I iron stick them on my fabric, then trim around them. AND I can use them again. If I’m efficient, I’ve got pressed fabric ready to have the sticky label added to it as soon as I’m through with it. If not, I can stick it to freezer paper for later use. I’ve heard that you can get up to 10 uses from one page, but I haven’t tried that yet.
Since my labels never take up a full page, I tend to have extra odd shapes remaining. I’ve found that I can still send them through my printer, if I tape them to a page of typing paper. You’ll have to experiment with that.
BTW, I use a PFD (prepared for dying) fabric. It’s tightly woven and uber clean. You’ll probably need to order this.
There you go! I hope you’ve found this useful.
Ellen Lindner
P.S. Do you also want posts about what to include on a label, or how to attach it?
P.P.S. Thanks to Brenda J. for catching my iron vs. stick error above.
Thanks for this post! That’s a good tip to use PFD fabric for the label. I’ll have to try that.
Glad it was useful, Christine.
I have also used the full size labels to stick my fabric on to print fabric for any reason. Only problem I has was when I tried to send through fabric that was too think.
The only thing I questioned was when you said you ironed the fabric onto the full size label. I just iron the fabric then stick it on the sticky side of the label. I thought ironing it on the label would mess up the sticky surface. Did I misunderstand, or is this possible?
When printing on fabric with my Epson, I enjoyed the effect of printing a photo on printed fabric (a fun way to experiment). Some things I sent through the printer twice to print (like in one example) my dad’s face over top of a mechanical drawing he had done to include in my art quilt depicting his mechanical mind. (Can be viewed at periwinklesue.com under art quilts.)
Enjoy your blog!
Oh, I love your portraits, Brenda! Is the one of your dad the one called Pure Joy? It’s my favorite. (http://www.periwinklesue.com/portfolio-item/pure-joy-brian/)
THANKS for catching me on the “iron” comment. You’re absolutely right. I DON’T iron the sticky labels to the fabric; I just stick them on.
Thank you, Ellen. No, “Pure Joy” is a fabric portrait of a dear friend whose life was cut short suddenly in a car accident. I made that for his wife to remember the joy of when he met the Lord that day.
My dad’s quilt included a fabric portrait, but also has many fabrics that I ran through the printer, printing his image on fabric and some of the drawings he has done in his tool making career. It is included under “Sharing My Art” and the subheading “Art Quilts.” Here is a link… http://www.periwinklesue.com/sharing-my-art/art-quilts/ You can click on it to enlarge it.
Thanks for sharing these, Brenda. Both are very special.