AboutConnie Hester Expertise Quilting and applique expert.Can advise on the following topics:quilting, art quilts, quilt design and construction, machine and hand quilting, paper foundation piecing, machine piecing, hand piecing, raw edge applique, turned-edge applique and fiber art.
Experience Winning awards in international fiber and art competitions since 1983; http://www.conniehester.com/
BS,MS
See my work and books at http://www.conniehester.com/
Expert: Connie Hester Date: 6/3/2008 Subject: printing on fabric
Question Hello Connie:
I have an epson C86 printer and would like to print photos onto fabric, but the bubblejet method is made for hp printers. What is the easiest way to print from my digital photo to a piece of muslin fabric to use in a quilt I would like to make? Thanks for any help. Pat
Answer By the "bubblejet method", I assume you are referring to pre-soaking fabric in Bubble Jet Set solution? That solution was developed to make HP inkjet dye-based inks bond to fabric, making them water-resistant and thus washable.
The Epson C86 printer uses pigment-based ink and is therefore already naturally water-resistant. A bonus is that they are lightfast as well, while nothing makes the HP dye-based inks lightfast. They fade quickly in both natural and artificial light.
So ...... you simply need to pre-wash your fabric THOROUGHLY to remove any invisible grime and/or finishes which could interfere with the ink bonding onto the fabric. Then, press the fabric onto freezer paper for stability, tape the top edge along a piece of card stock for further stability, and feed it through your printer.
The ink does not need to be heat-set, and in fact, pressing too soon after printing can make the inks spread a bit. Just allow the ink to set on the fabric overnight, to thoroughly dry and "set" before any washing as well.
