Printers that print on fabric.

[Lois B.]

Help me! I know we had a discussion on this topic but I couldn't find it. My computer printer just got zapped/fried....it's thunderstorm season. I wanted to review what people had said about inks on fabric. I need to replace it pronto. I use it for both my work and my play! Does anyone remember where we had that discussion?

[Renata L.]

Lois, could it have been in Board index ‹ BLOCK OF THE MONTH - BOM ‹ Sedona Star 2012? There was a topic under there called "Printer Ink" with a discussion on the topic.

[Lois B.]

Thanks Renata, I checked that out quickly but it looked as if that discussion was mainly about printing on paper for the purpose of paper piecing. There was a discussion somewhere regarding printing on fabric. I remember that laser printers don't work and there was further discussion about which inks in the inkjet printers worked best. I have mainly used my printer for work related stuff - copies on paper, I have only used it a few times with fabric but plan to do more of that with photos in the future. I don't want to buy something I'll have to replace later and because of work reports I will need to replace it soon. Anyone remember that discussion or have info to add here?

[Renata L.]

There's also a topic called "Printer Suggestions" under Board index ‹ ASK YOUR QUILTING RELATED QUESTIONS HERE ‹ This and That (Quilting Related). Not sure it fits the bill, Lois, but I hope I hit on the right one for you this time...

[Lois B.]

Bingo! Renata. That's it. And it is oh so helpful. I was typing all the wrong words when I did my search. Thanks so much!

[Coni P.]

Lois, Go to classroom lessons and Jeannie Sumrall. There is a lot on there about printing on fabric.

[Rita C.]

Lois, I found this one by going back through 'view your posts'. Hope it helps.


http://forum/this-and-that-quilting-...er-suggestions

[Rita C.]

Hi Lois,

I still haven't purchased a new printer. My Lexmark is printing okay but I haven't printed any photos on fabric.
I haven't done much sewing this summer , lots of crops to get in and life just happens. So fun to read about
all the challenge's and exchanges of thoughts and information.
Let us know what kind of printer works for you.
Happy Sewing!!!

[Lois B.]

Yes, Rita, this is the very one for which I was looking. Thanks. I didn't think of looking in "view your posts" but then I may not have posted anything on this topic. I had no experience and no information to share. Actually, I like the printernI had. It was an HP Photosmart that came as a "deal" with the computer. I was happy to see that many people had success using it with fabric. I have printed on fabric only once and that was for the label on Anna's quilt. But I take lots of pictures and I have the bug to use them in some quilt designs. I remembered that some inks were more stable on fabrics than others and I wanted to make sure I got one like that.

[Diane F.]

Yes, Rita, this is the very one for which I was looking. Thanks. I didn't think of looking in "view your posts" but then I may not have posted anything on this topic. I had no experience and no information to share. Actually, I like the printernI had. It was an HP Photosmart that came as a "deal" with the computer. I was happy to see that many people had success using it with fabric. I have printed on fabric only once and that was for the label on Anna's quilt. But I take lots of pictures and I have the bug to use them in some quilt designs. I remembered that some inks were more stable on fabrics than others and I wanted to make sure I got one like that.

Lois,

I have a Canon printer (YUCK) and an Epson printer (YEA!). When I took a class with Jeanie, she told me that my Canon had performed the WORST in her tests. My fabric prints looked muddy. My Epson printer uses pigment ink and I really like it. I have a "workforce" series.

[Norma H.]

I would say you should go for the DuraBrite ink. It works. I have the cheapest Epson (SX 125) because I use it only for printing on fabric. For other things I have an OKI Laser printer.
The Epson has a lousy way of taking the paper/fabric into the printer but I have no problems as long as I use the EQ printables sheets. I have come to a method that works when I prepare my own fabric for printing, but that is more challenging. I don't do it without taking a deep breath and say a little prayer

[Norma H.]

I would say you should go for the DuraBrite ink. It works. I have the cheapest Epson (SX 125) because I use it only for printing on fabric. For other things I have an OKI Laser printer.
The Epson has a lousy way of taking the paper/fabric into the printer but I have no problems as long as I use the EQ printables sheets. I have come to a method that works when I prepare my own fabric for printing, but that is more challenging. I don't do it without taking a deep breath and say a little prayer

I use epson too, following a friend's recommendations. Her advice for printing on fabric is that you buy A4 sized labels, stick one on the back of your fabric, trim the fabric down to the same size as the label - rub well on the paper side to eliminate air bubbles, and then pass it through your printer. Works well for me, and you can get at least 4-6 passes with one label, sometimes a few more.

I have also super starched my fabric, but this is only suitable for printing inklingo shapes, as the starch will stop the ink from penetrating the fabric.

[Norma H.]

Fine method, Rosemary.
I iron my fabric to freezer paper and then glue it on the edge of an A4 plain paper, where the paper is showing 1cm/½" so the printer can grab the paper. It works most of the time

[Norma H.]

Great tips and hints. I am leaning toward an epson.
Thanks quilt helpers!

[Rita C.]

I recently went and bought a bottom of the range HP Deskjet 1000 for next to nothing and it works brilliantly for printing photos onto fabric using the same method as Norma - ironing the fabric onto freezer paper. And there is so little to the machine that even if the fabric gets stuck you can still get at it and pull it out and the machine doesn't spend 10 minutes having a fit of the vapours like my previous top of the range one used to do. I am happy.