How to: Transfer text to fabric

[Cat]

Hello All,

After reading the archives, it would seem that you guys can find a way
to print on anything so I've got a question for you all.

I'm trying to transfer text (1/4 to 1/8" tall letters) to small
pre-made draw string bags. Each bag has different text, and so far I
have not found an efficient way to transfer the text. I bought a stamp
kit, each letter is placed onto a holder then the stamp is dipped into
ink and pressed onto the fabric. This works very well, but it is very
time consuming! I have tried iron on transfers but they harden the
fabric where the transfer is, and the transfer cracks after washing a
few times. I have been reading about assorted print to fabric printers,
but they all seem to need fabric cut to a sheet of paper size.

Thanks,
-Cat

 

[jasee]

Hello All,

After reading the archives, it would seem that you guys can find a way
to print on anything so I've got a question for you all.

I'm trying to transfer text (1/4 to 1/8" tall letters) to small
pre-made draw string bags. Each bag has different text, and so far I
have not found an efficient way to transfer the text. I bought a stamp
kit, each letter is placed onto a holder then the stamp is dipped into
ink and pressed onto the fabric. This works very well, but it is very
time consuming! I have tried iron on transfers but they harden the
fabric where the transfer is, and the transfer cracks after washing a
few times. I have been reading about assorted print to fabric printers,
but they all seem to need fabric cut to a sheet of paper size.

The ideal way is using sublistatic inks, special inks which you print on
thin paper, then heat the back of the paper (using an iron or heat press)
with the printed side on contact with the fabric, the inks volatilise, then
sublime on/in the fabric. This *isn't* the same as iron on transfers. The
fabric handle is unchanged by the process (there is absoluely no increase in
stiffness) and it should wash well. Not suitable for strongly coloured
fabric as the colours are transparent. Works best with synthetics. and
piezo printers (apparently)

some info here:

http://www.sublistatic.org/

 

[Cat]

Thanks Jasee,

I will look into this. Is it a type of transfer paper or dose it
require special inks/printer to function?

-Cat

 

[jasee]

Thanks Jasee,

I will look into this. Is it a type of transfer paper or dose it
require special inks/printer to function?

The paper is special but the inks are the most important bit. I've never
done this with a computer printer, but there's a whole textile industry
which prints this way on cloth, printing on rolls of tranfer paper which is
then passed between heated rollers and the cloth.
Looks like you need a special printer though.