Scrapper's Guide Tutorial #21 Printing on Fabric

Keyboard Symbols:

a/o = Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac)

c/c = Control (Windows) or Command (Mac)

Sign me up for FREE Digital Scrapper newsletter

Please Note: An asterisk (*) and chapter title indicate where you can find additional helpful
information in my DVD, The Scrapper's Guide to Adobe® Photoshop® Elements, Vol.1.

Completely new to Adobe® Photoshop® Elements? Haven't watched my DVD yet? Click here for a quick orientation to the Elements desktop, tools, and palettes.

To see additional tutorials visit our archives.

021 Printing on Fabric

These instructions may be used with any graphics software.

Linda's Dad

Step 1

Prepare the image you intend to print on fabric. You could use a simple photograph from a digital camera or scan, or you could include additional layers and some type for a more detailed design.

Step 2

Purchase ready made fabric for printing, or prepare your own fabric. Either way you’ll be using a piece of fabric that is temporarily bonded to paper so it will move through your inkjet printer. (Laser printers are not recommended for fabric.)

Look in fabric or quilt stores to find ready made fabric for printing, or try this website to order online:
www.junetailor.com.

HP’s website has great instructions for preparing ordinary fabric to go through your inkjet printer. Here’s a link to a downloadable article on the subject.

This article recommends using a fixative on the material first so it won’t fade when washed, but since you’re not likely to wash your scrapbook, I would skip this step.

Remove all other paper from the paper tray and place your fabric sheet so that the fabric side is facing the proper direction for printing. Be sure to cut off any loose strings, and if you make your own fabric sheet, you might want to run a lint brush over it just before printing. Choose “Plain” for the paper type in the print dialog box.

peel backing

Step 3

Once you’ve printed your photo, let it dry. Then crop your photo to remove the area that wasn’t printed. Now you can peel the backing off the fabric.

Step 4

Press your fabric photo with a hot iron on a dry setting (no steam) to set the ink.

Step 5

If you wish, you can fray the edges of the fabric by pulling out some threads.

translucent

I loved the translucent look and supple feel of my photo on fabric!

When I created my double spread digitally, I included the photo I used. This is the copy I'll archive onto a CD.

When I printed out the left page, however, I first clicked on the eye next to my photo layer to temporarily hide the photo. That way the photo didn't print on the page, and I was able to attach my fabric photo in the same location.

Sign me up for FREE Digital Scrapper newsletter

Go to top