Image transfers on fabric…we’ve all tried a few methods, I’m sure.
Like me, you may have had ho-hum results in the past.
That all changes right now.
Hey, Graphics Fairy friends! It’s Heather from Thicketworks. Today we are going to crack the code for getting awesome results with those pesky image transfers on fabric.
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Image Transfers on Fabric
This is short and SWEET, my friends.
Here’s a list of the stuff that I used for this project…
Supplies:
- Natural Fiber Fabric from your stash (I used light weight muslin)
- 1Gel Transfer and Decoupage Medium
- Ink Jet Transparencies. (I used Heirloom Traditions 1Gel and that worked BRILLIANTLY)
- Your favorite Graphics Fairy images, printed with an Ink Jet Printer, onto the correct side of the Ink Jet Transparencies.
Here’s a list of images used for this demo:
- Fabulous Crown
- Old Fashioned Light Bulb
- White Pocket Watch
- French Typography – Flower Seller
- Paris Script Furniture Transfer
- Public Domain Pocket Watch Image
- French Transfer Printable – Ribbon Banner
- Vintage Bird Engraving
- Adorable Vintage Tricycle
- Feather Wings
- Fancy French Chair
- Wonderful Crown
- A firm but pliable work surface. (I use a piece of foam core board)
- Scissors
- A scruffy old paint brush
- A smooth tool for burnishing (I use a Catalyst Tool)
- A heat tool
or
- An iron + Parchment paper and ironing surface
Optional:
- Low tack tape
Okay, let’s get started!
Print your chosen images onto the rough side of the transparencies.
Note: Don’t forget to reverse any images that include text or numbers!
Allow them to dry.
Cut apart the images you’ve printed.
You can tape your fabric to the work surface if you like. I tried it both with and without tape, and got great results either way.
Spread a layer of Heirloom Traditions 1Gel directly onto the fabric, covering the area where you wish the image to be transferred.
Place the transparency face down onto the 1Gel, and smooth with a burnishing tool.
Work from the center of the motif, smoothing toward the edges.
Burnish for about 20 seconds or so.
Gently lift an edge, and begin peeling it back.
If you find that all the ink didn’t transfer, dab a bit more 1Gel on the fabric, press the image back down and burnish again.
Peel the film away, and be AMAZED at how clear and clean the image is, even with a ‘repair’:
Stunning results – SO easily.
No waiting.
No peeling or soaking off paper.
Just 1Gel, burnish, peel.
That’s it.
This motif took less than 1 minute to complete:
Just for fun, I tried it on an old scruffy art apron:
You can just burnish right over the seams and any stains…
Peel it back:
Enjoy the crispness of the image:
So, I wondered if I could get good results going over the ‘bumpy’ areas of this old apron.
The answer: Yes.
How about on a pocket?
This sweet bird would be nice…
Well?
How will it turn out?
Pretty darn well, if you ask me!
Must try an image with a lot of black…Will it come out okay?
Yep.
So, now I know what you’re wondering.
Can you wash it?
Here’s the answer. YES.
The trick? Heat set the graphics. Either cover them with a piece of parchment paper and iron them dry, or use a heat tool to do the same.
Yes, the fabric will be stiff.
Once it’s been heat set, wash it by hand in warm soapy water, and yes: put it in the DRYER.
When it comes out, there will be a bit of stiffness remaining, and yes, a bit of the image will be ‘distressed’, but I’m happy with the results.
Note: I’ll be you’re also wondering if you can reuse the transparencies over and over?
Here’s the thing:
The transparencies are coated with a special film that binds the ink to the surface. Once the transfer process is complete, this film has been transferred, along with the image. I know of no way to add that special film back onto the used transparency. If you find a way, let us know!
All the following images are after washing and drying:
I’m in love with this look!
I can’t wait to add Graphics Fairy images to all kinds of garments and fabric accessories.
I love printing directly onto fabric. I will always love it. For small projects, it’s perfect.
But here’s the thing: unless you have access to a commercial printing facility you’re limited to a piece of fabric that will fit into your home printer.
This transfer method opens a whole new world of possibilities.
You can enlarge the images, print them out on several transparencies, and create an ENORMOUS graphic….
Just think: you can add large graphics to duvet covers, curtains, pillow cases…Oh my goodness. Very exciting!
Well, I hope this has given you some food for thought.
I hope we see many, many Reader’s Projects featuring your Image Transfers on Fabric!
Have fun with this, and take good care of yourselves! Come see me at Thicketworks sometime – it’ll be fun!
Heather
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Diane Spiegel says
Hi, I live in Australia could you tell me if I could use freezer paper? Have not heard of transpariences
Thanks Diane
Heather Tracy says
Hi Diane…well, it’s possible to use freezer paper for transfer techniques, but I don’t know if it would behave the same way. All I can suggest is that you try it and find out what happens…it’s just ink, after all. Try it on some scrap fabric, and see if you like the results!
Jan Hudson says
Hi Diane, transparencies that can be printed on are available from Officeworks in Australia, in both inkjet & lazer compatable.
Barbie j says
Even easier is to print directly on fabric ironed to freezer paper and run through the printer
Heather Tracy says
Hi Barbie – I agree with you, but here’s the thing…you can only print a piece of fabric the size of your printer tray for that method. It’s an awesome way to print fabric, and I do it all the time too. What makes this special is the ability to SCALE your images up.
If you take one of your favorite Graphics Fairy images and enlarge it so that it prints on 10 transparencies, you can fit those transfers together and create a HUGE transfer on a single surface, like a bedspread or a curtain.
Can’t do that with the freezer paper method without piecing together a bunch of small fabric rectangles. That’s why this is different. Thanks for chiming in!
Karen Watson says
Hi Barbie, We like that method too, however we love that this method came be used to create large projects, as you can split the design up over multiple pieces of transparency paper and them put them together, like a puzzle, to transfer onto your project. Also, Heather found that this held up in the wash, which is not always the case when you run it through your printer. It’s nice to have multiple methods to choose from depending on your project.
Maxine says
I have searched on eBay for 1gel but nothing came up. I don’t think we have it in the UK. Is there anything else I could use? I so wanted to try this?
Heather Tracy says
Hi Maxine…You can order 1Gel directly from the Heirloom Traditions Paint company online, but the shipping charges may be quite high. If I were you, I’d try it with the usual suspects: Mod Podge or Matte Medium. Let us know how it turns out!
Cathy says
Great technique! Will you be linking this post to the Transfer Methods tab here on the website so we can go back to it later?
Heather Tracy says
I’ll bring your request to Karen’s attention, Cathy. That would be cool!
Heather Tracy says
Hi Cathy – Karen just let me know that she’ll be updating the Transfer Methods section in the near future, and this one will be included. Thanks so much for your inquiry…
Donna Wilkes says
I often transfer images to all kinds of surfaces. Love this idea. Can the transparencies be used multiple times?
Heather Tracy says
I wondered this myself, Donna. The answer is no, unfortunately. Reason: the transparency is coated with a special film that the ink embeds into. Once the transfer process is complete, the film is gone. I wouldn’t want to risk my printer by trying to create a replacement film on the used transparencies, but if you’re feeling adventurous, you might experiment with hairspray..just remember, I can’t endorse this experiment, and it may mess up your printer if you try it!
Donna Wilkes says
Thank you, Heather!
Heather Tracy says
You are SO welcome, Donna. When I pulled the final result from the dryer and ironed it I was the happiest girl in town! Have fun…
Babs says
Just read another comment – you used an inkjet? WOO HOO is right! Can I transfer color images as well? Thank you so much! I was all ready to go buy a laserjet printer.
Heather Tracy says
Hey Babs – I was just responding to your earlier comment: Don’t know about the color prints. I really can’t see why it wouldn’t work, but I limited this experiment to black and white. Try it! Let us know! (Oh, and by the way, I ADORE my laser jet printer and wouldn’t be without it…but isn’t it AWESOME that you don’t NEED one!) Yay!
Babs says
Thank you so much for the fantastic tutorial. I have a “duh” question – is the process the same for color images as long as you use a color laser printer? I want to make some pillows for my living room. Some images are hydrangeas. Thank you!!
Heather Tracy says
Hi Babs…your question is a really good one. My answer is this: I don’t know. I’ve had good luck transferring color laser prints that were printed on PAPER, but haven’t tried with the transparencies. My best advice: Try it! Use some scrap fabric and give it a go. Come back here and let everyone know what you discovered! Happy experimenting!
Kimberly says
Wow! Love this project! ♡ your apron turned out wonderful. I have the gel medium–bought it a long time ago and have been afraid to try it. ? but you have given me the courage to try ? so heartfelt thanks!
Heather Tracy says
Hi Kimberly! Now you can dig out that jar of 1Gel and get to work! Just order some transparencies and you’re all set! Yay!
mare williams says
THANKS SOOO MUCH FOR WHAT SEEMS LIKE AN EASY METHOD FOR TRANSFERRING GRAPHICS TO FABRIC…CAN’T WAIT TO TRY IT MYSELF!!!
Heather Tracy says
Hi Mare, you WILL NOT BELIEVE how easy this is. It astonished me. Truly. You HAVE to try it for yourself!
Kathleen M Murphy says
This is beautiful and a sensational idea. I have 1 question: I have a ton of 3M transparency film from my teaching days. Do you think other brands will work?
Heather Tracy says
Hi Kathleen…if you have a stash of 3M I would of course try it. I’d hate to have you purchase something you don’t need. Please let us know the outcome of your experiment!
Debra says
Thank you Heather! I am excited to try this! I agree with Kathleen. . .wonderful instructions. You answered my questions about stiffness and washing/drying before I could ask!
Will definitely go check out your website. Have a wonderful day!
Debra
Heather Tracy says
Hi Debra! So glad you found this useful…thank you for stopping by!
Jenny Wood says
Hello! This is awesome! One thing.. can you clarify if you printed with an inkjet or laser printer? Most other transfer methods with gel require using laser prints and I see that the transparencies are for inkjet.
Thank you for this! Can’t wait to try it!!
Heather Tracy says
Hi Jenny…I’m sorry it wasn’t clear – thank you for asking. INK JET! Woo hoo! Plain ol’ everyday Ink Jet. That’s what makes me so excited, plus the fact that you can scale this method up to any size you desire.
Bev Evans says
Can you use a laser printer? And can you reuse the transparencies if you don’t cut them up? Thanks great tutorial!
Heather Tracy says
Hi Bev! I haven’t yet tried this with laser prints…that is definitely on the agenda! Don’t worry, I’ll let you know the outcome…
Meanwhile, regarding ‘reusing’ the transparencies, I can only repeat the following “The answer is no, unfortunately. Reason: the transparency is coated with a special film that the ink embeds into. Once the transfer process is complete, the film is gone. I wouldn’t want to risk my printer by trying to create a replacement film on the used transparencies, but if you’re feeling adventurous, you might experiment with hairspray..just remember, I can’t endorse this experiment, and it may mess up your printer if you try it!”
Maureen Robertson says
Thank you so much for sharing. I cannot wait to try it. I have never been happy with other methods and had just about given up. I am a seamstress, and my thoughts are always connected to fabric. You are a treasure!
Heather Tracy says
Oh, Maureen…you’ve just given me a huge gift. Thank you so much…to share something that is of real utility to a fellow creative makes my heart soar.
Allison Roohi says
My guess is that you cannot transfer a laser print with the gel. Pretty sure it’s water soluable? After the paper in a laser printer goes through the fuser, it becomes sort of like plastic. I transfer laser images to leather hard clay (the toner has iron oxide which does not burn up in a low fire kiln) and the only thing I’ve found to work is Xylene. I also use it combination with a Chartpak colourless blender (design marker) that contains Xylene. The smell is noxious, but it works! I am definitely going to try this with my collaged ink jet prints! And going to try colour images, as well!
Kathleen says
Girlfriend, you are brilliant! This my friend, is a game changer. Thank you so much for the wonderful and thorough step by step instructions. Can’t wait to try it!
Heather Tracy says
Hi Kathleen! How wonderful to see you here…I was so excited when I discovered how well this worked. Makes me super happy to know it can be of use to you…Thanks for your kind words.
Fisun says
Hello Heather,
this is sooo great!!! I was looking for something besides those iron-on transfer papers that are so expensive but had not found anything so beautiful, marvellous, genius, awesome and and and! Thank you so much for sharing this fantastic idea with us!
Enjoy your day!
Heather Tracy says
Yay! Fisun, I’m so happy that you see the potential in this method. I’m thrilled with how it opens up possibilities, and am grateful to be able to share it with you…have fun. I sure did!
Tracey says
Heather this is genius! And I adore the apron! Thank you for the easy step by step tutorial. You have inspired me!!!!
Heather Tracy says
Hi Tracey! Thank you so much…I’m so thrilled with this method…watch out, because there will be graphics on EVERYTHING now…