Print White
Dtg Printing Gives Quilters More Options
There's a new way to add photos to quilts.
In the past, we relied on photo transfer paper to iron our photo onto our quilt block. Have you heard about direct-to-garment printing? It's a great new way to get your favorite photo out of your scrapbook and onto your quilt block.
Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing is a form of digital printing. With a cost of about $20,000, it's not practical to run out and buy your own DTG printer. But if you can find a print shop that offers DTG printing, you can expect to pay $8 to $10 for a photo print.
This process is a little more expensive than the traditional photo transfer method. That's partially because the technology is so new. If you do decide to try a DTG photo on your memory quilt block, there are a few things to look for in selecting the printer who will do the work for you:
1. Make sure there are no chemicals needed to pre-treat your fabric first. Some DTG printers create an image that is more like screen printing. You don't want that look or feel on your quilt. The ink will be hard on top of the fabric and will eventually (sometimes much sooner than later) will start to crack and wear with washings. Ask your prospective printer to see a sample of something they've printed. If you can feel the ink is raised above the surface in any way at all, it's probably a sublimation type process which requires chemicals to pre-treat the fabric.
2. Use a form of digital DTG printing offered by the Brother GT 541. There are no chemicals needed to pre-treat the fabric. The inks bond with the natural fibers and are heat cured to set the image. The inks are water based, which helps leave a soft yet crisp image on your fabric.
There are some downfalls to using DTG printing on your quilt blocks. One pitfall is color limitations. Since DTG printing is a form a digital printing, there is no white ink. White is the absence of color. This means that you cannot print a photo on navy blue or black fabric.
Digital garment or fabric printing is a CMYK format - cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. You can mix those colors to get a full spectrum of accurate colors - just not white. There are DTG printers that print white ink, but most of those require chemical pre-treatment of the fabric and will leave you with that thick surface print.
The light-colored or neutral fabric you use must be cotton or a cotton blend. The fabric must be able to withstand 350 degrees for about 30 seconds. If you are not working with 100 percent cotton or a 50/50 blend, ask your printer if the fabric will work.
Size of your print may be a limitation. Most DTG printers have a printing field up to 14 inches x 16 inches. For most quilters, that size range won't be a problem.
And speaking of printing fields, here's a hint. Most DTG printers charge for a 14x16 surface. If your blocks will allow 2 or 3 photos to fit within that range, you could get them all printed for the price of one. Check with the printer to see if it's possible with your particular project.
Like most technological advances, the price of digital garment (or fabric) printing will probably decrease over time. Maybe it will even be available on smaller printers for home and personal use. Until then, see if you can find a DTG printer for your next photo quilt project. The results will look like custom fabric, which will be a great touch for your one of a kind quilt!
About the Author
Penny Halgren http://www.TheQuiltingCoach.com Penny has been a quilter for more than 26 years and enjoys exploring all aspects of quilting sharing her knowledge with all quilters.
Screen printing white ink tips part 1
|
|
Plastic White Blossom Print IMD Back Guard for Nokia C3 $4.73 |
|
|
Tribal print / Aztec Studded Iphone 4 4S White Silicone Case w/ Multicolor Studs $10.00 |
|
|
Gray Zebra Printed IMD Hard Plastic White Back Case Cover for Apple iPhone 4 4G $4.71 |
|
|
Black White Zebra Print Snap On Hard iPhone 4S Case Cover w/ Screen Protector $6.95 |
|
|
White Floral Print Fuchsia IMD Cover for Samsung i9000 $8.01 |
|
|
Allover Flower Printed White Elastic Band Cell Phone Coin Wrist Purse $7.41 |
|
|
White Butterfly Print Case Protector for Apple iPhone 4 $8.17 |
|
|
Red White Heart Print IMD Back Protector for Nokia C7 $4.32 |
|
|
Dragon Printed IMD Plastic Back Cover Case White Black for Apple iPhone 4 4G 4S $5.33 |
|
|
Green White Plastic Hard IMD Leafy Print Guard Cover for iPhone 4G 4GS $5.14 |
|
|
IMD Tricolor Heart Printed Plastic Back Shell White for iPhone 4 4G 4S $5.11 |
|
|
IMD Zebra Print Hard Plastic Back Case Cover White Black for iPhone 4 4G 4S $4.72 |
|
|
White Circle Print Back Protective Shell for iPhone 4 $7.39 |
|
|
White IMD Butterfly Printed Fuchsia Hard Back Case Shell for iPhone 4 4G 4S 4GS $4.37 |
|
|
Blue White Floral Bird Print Silicone Skin for iPhone 4 $4.24 |
|
|
Purple Dot Printed Texturd Side White Plastic Cover for iPhone 4 4G 4S $4.74 |
|
|
Plastic Yellow White IMD Star Print Shell Cover for iPhone 4 4G 4S $5.15 |
|
|
Hearts Prints Hard Plastic Shell White for iPhone 4 4G 4S $4.28 |
|
|
Magenta Hibiscus Print White IMD Back Shell Guard for iPhone 4 4G 4S $5.10 |
|
|
Print White Pink Silicone Case+Film for Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo V MT15i ZWSF310 $0.86 |
|
|
Printed Rainbow White Silicone Back Cover Soft Case+Film for Nokia C7-00 ZWSF096 $0.86 |
|
|
Printed White Butterfly Case + Film for Samsung i9220 Galaxy Note N7000 ZWCC801 $1.76 |
|
|
Printed White Green Silicone Case+LCD Film for Samsung i9220 Galaxy Note ZWSF200 $1.76 |
|
|
Printed White Green Silicone Soft Case+Film for Samsung i9103 Galaxy R Z ZWSF164 $0.87 |
|
|
Printed White Hot Pink Silicone Case +Film for Samsung S5570 Galaxy Mini ZWSF148 $0.86 |
|
|
Printed White Pink Silicone Case + Film for Sony Ericsson Xperia X8 E15i ZWSF297 $0.86 |
|
|
Printed White Pink Silicone Case+Film for Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S X12 ZWSF299 $0.86 |
|
|
Printed White Pink Silicone Case+LCD Film for Samsung i9250 Galaxy Nexus ZWSF206 $0.86 |
|
|
Printed White Pink Silicone Soft Case +Film for Samsung i9103 Galaxy R Z ZWSF162 $0.87 |
|
|
Printed White Pink Silicone Soft Case+Film for Samsung i9220 Galaxy Note ZWSF205 $1.76 |
|
|
Printed White Pink Silicone Soft Case+Film for Samsung S5570 Galaxy Mini ZWSF149 $0.86 |
|
|
Printed White Red Silicone Soft Back Case+Film for Samsung S8530 Wave II ZWSF284 $0.86 |
|
|
Printed White Silicone Soft Case+LCD Film for HTC Wildfire 1st Gen A3333 ZWSF033 $0.86 |
|
|
IMD White Skull Print Hard Plastic Back Case Protector for iPhone 4 4G 4S $4.73 |
|
|
Black Silicone Guard W White Flower Print for iPhone 4 $4.56 |
|
|
White Surrounded Heart Print Back Shell Protector for iPhone 4 4G 4S $5.13 |
|
|
Crocodile Print White Sleeve Cover Case for iPhone 4 4G $4.81 |
|
|
White Heart Print Purple Back Cover for Blackberry 8900 $7.97 |
|
|
White Hard Plastic floral Print Back Case Protector for HTC G10 Desire HD $4.75 |
|
|
White Hard Plastic IMD Floral Print Protective Back Case for iPhone 4 4G 4S $4.72 |
|
|
For Samsung Captivate i897 Hard Case Black & White Zebra Print Diamond Cover $9.99 |
|
|
Colorful Leopard on White+Skull Print Case For LG Rumor Touch LN510 Banter $6.95 |
|
|
Colorful Leopard on White+Skull Print Case For LG Banter Touch / Rumor Touch $6.95 |
|
|
Black Dots Print Back Case White Cover for iPhone 4 4G $4.28 |
|
|
IMD White Dots Printed Protective Black Hard Back Case Cover for iPhone 4 4G 4S $4.75 |
|
|
Cell Phone Charm White Zebra Print Star Strap Rhine Stone $4.60 |
|
|
White Dots Print IMD Black Hard Plastic Back Shell Case for iPhone 4 4G 4S 4GS $4.26 |
|
|
White Red Flower Print IMD Hard Plastic Protective Back Case for iPhone 4 4G 4S $4.74 |
|
|
IMD Dotted Prints Hard Plastic Back Shell White Purple for iPhone 4 4G 4S $4.71 |
|
|
Letters Print Plastic White Protector Case W USB Cable for iPhone 4 $5.36 |
|
|
Red Hat Printed White Hard Plastic IMD Back Cover for iPhone 4S 4 4G $4.70 |
|
|
Blue Peony Print White Plastic Back Case for iPhone 3G $4.76 |
|
|
Swirl Floral Printed IMD White Hard Cover for Nokia E71 $4.74 |
|
|
White Crocodile Print Faux Leather Case for iPhone 4 4G $5.43 |
|
|
White Print Black Back Cover + Car Charger for iPhone 4 $7.08 |
|
|
Black Dragon Print IMD White Protective Hard Back Case Shell for iPhone 4 4G 4S $4.29 |
|
|
CELL PHONE CASE FOR LG AX300 UX300 RUBBERIZED BLACK WHITE ZEBRA PRINT $6.85 |
|
|
CELL PHONE CASE FOR LG SHINE CU720 RUBBERIZED BLACK WHITE ZEBRA PRINT $6.85 |
|
|
White Fashion Leopard Printed Back Hard Cover Case For Apple iPhone 4 / 4GS $3.99 |
|
|
Cover Printed White Pink Silicone Case+LCD Film for HTC Wildfire S A510e ZVSF232 $0.99 |
|
|
FREE SHIP for HTC Wildfire S Printed White Pink Silicone Soft Case +Film ZVSF232 $5.49 |
|
|
for HTC Wildfire S A510e Cover Printed White Pink Silicon Soft Back Case ZVSF232 $0.99 |
|
|
Cover Printed White Pink Silicone Case+Film for Samsung S5660 Galaxy Gio ZVSF235 $1.00 |
|
|
FREE SHIP for Samsung S5660 Cover Printed White Silicone Soft Case +Film ZVSF235 $5.49 |
|
|
for Samsung S5660 Galaxy Gio Cover Printed White Pink Silicon Soft Case ZVSF235 $1.00 |
|
|
CELL PHONE CASE FOR APPLE IPHONE 3G 3GS RAINBOW ZEBRA PRINT ON WHITE $7.79 |
|
|
Snake Print Plastic Back White Case for iPhone 4 4G $5.39 |
|
|
Flower Print Polished Hard Plastic Blue White Shield for iPhone 4 4G $4.30 |
|
|
Gray White Plaid Print Cover Case For Motorola Photon 4G / Electrify MB855 $6.85 |
|
|
Gray White Plaid Print Cover Case For ZTE Score X500 $6.85 |
|
|
Gray White Plaid Print For Apple Iphone 3G 3GS Case Cover $7.79 |
|
|
IMD Purple Orange Flower Printed Plastic Back Case Guard White for HTC G7 $4.92 |
|
|
Hard Blue-White Porcelain Print Back Case for iPhone 3G $3.82 |
|
|
Black Cow Print Plastic Cover Protector White for Samsung i9000 $4.37 |
|
|
New Luxurious Leopard Print Case Cover For Blackberry Bold Touch 9900 9930 $3.15 |
|
|
Black White Skull Print IMD Back Guard for iPhone 4 4G $4.41 |
|
|
Black White Dots Print Back Cover for iPhone 4 4G 4GS 4S $4.37 |
|
|
White Sides Black Woven Print Plastic Back Cover Shell for iPhone 4 4G 4S $4.35 |
|
|
Butterfly Print IMD Back Case White for Samsung i9000 $4.71 |
|
|
Hard Back Cover Case for iPhone 4 4S White Gold Print CH $5.43 |
|
|
Red Floral Print White IMD Back Guard for i9000 i9100 $4.94 |
|
|
Rabbit Print Blue White Hard Back Case for iPhone 4 4G $6.08 |
|
|
Hearts Prints Hard Plastic Shell White for iPhone 4 4G 4S $8.03 |
|
|
White Black IMD Zebra Print Back Case for iPhone 4 4G $4.75 |
|
|
White Hard Butterfly Print Back Case Cover for HTC G10 Desire HD $4.62 |
|
|
IMD Blue Orange Flower Print Hard Plastic Back Case Protector White for HTC G8 $4.75 |
|
|
Black White Leopard Print Hard Back Cover for iPhone 3G 3GS $5.15 |
|
|
White Snake Print Plastic Back Case for iPhone 4 4G $6.95 |
|
|
Wings Print IMD Hard Back Case Cover Protector White for iPhone 4 4G 4S 4GS $4.25 |
|
|
White & Black Zebra Print Design Snap On Hard Cover Samsung Epic 4G D700 Sprint $6.99 |
|
|
Blue White Zebra Print Hard Plastic Case for iPhone 4 $4.35 |
|
|
Houndstooth Print IMD White Black TPU Soft Plastic Shell for iPhone 4 4G $5.51 |
|
|
White Colour Bubble Print Soft Case Cover For iPhone 4G $0.99 |
|
|
IMD Butterfly Print White Plastic Back Cover for iPhone 4 4G 4S $4.75 |
|
|
Silver Tone Plant Print IMD Back Case Cover White for iPhone 4 4G 4S $4.74 |
|
|
IMD Gray Zebra Print White Hard Back Cover Guard Case Protector for iPhone 4 4G $4.75 |
|
|
White Heart Print Nylon Hand Wrist Strap Blue 2 Pcs for Phone $4.28 |
|
|
Cow Print Orange White L Shaped Zipper Cell Phone Case Pouch $4.76 |
|
|
Print White Pink Silicone Case+Film for Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo V MT15i ZVSF310 $0.89 |
|
|
Cover Printed Red White Silicone Soft Case +LCD Film for HTC Rhyme S510b ZVSF303 $0.89 |
|
|
AUDREY HEPBURN POP ART CANVAS ART PRINT BLACK WHITE £38.00 You can purchase this stunning ready to hang canvas print. Canvas comes professionally wrapped around solid pine bars. All of our prints are printed on quality ultra white 260gsm canvas. Printed using a 44" wide format Cannon inkjet printer. All orders are despatched within 48hrs. Please check out our shop for a wide range of designs to enhance any home.... |
|
|
New York Night Skyline - Black and White - Twin Canvas Wall Art Prints - 20cm x 40cm Each (Set of 2) £9.99 A stunning set of canvas prints stretched over a wooden frame featuring two different New York night skylines. This is a very much sought after collection of prints and will look great in any room, be it the kitchen, living room or bedroom. Comes complete with all fixings and fastenings, ready to hang. A great gift idea for the New York City fan. *Note this picture shows the corners cut off becau... |
|
|
BLACK & WHITE ZEBRA PRINT KING SIZE DUVET COVER BED SET £11.35 *Material - 50% Cotton / 50% polyester *King Size - 228cm x 218cm approx *Machine Wash / low tumble dry... |
|
|
FAST FLOOR Powered State 12 white label ... |
|
|
Belts - HIM White Lazer Etched - Ceinture haute qualité- Sous licence officielle- 100% cuir... |
|
|
JS TEN Eternal 12 white label ... |
|
|
LEOPARD TIGER ZEBRA PRINT LUXURY WALLPAPER JUNGLE ANIMAL PRINT 10M ROLL FD30685 £8.90 PURPLE: PATTERN NO: FD30685... |
|
|
iPad 3 Leopard Print Brief Case Style Smart Case Cover For iPad 3 - White Color Supreme Quality £19.99 This case is specially designed for the iPad 3 and gives premium protection with supreme quality and is very light weight and doesnt add any bulk to your device. Best choice to stand out from the crowd.... |
|
|
YASMIN GREEN FLORAL BLOSSOM FLOWER NATURAL PRINT LUXURY 10M WALLPAPER ROLL DECOR ART £9.99 PATTERN: FD30980 BATCH: 1 CE SHADE: 0... |
|
|
WHITE DOGS PAW PRINT CASE COVER NINTENDO DS LITE NDSL £6.99 The Case Protector offers optimum protection and a new appearance for your DS Lite. The case houses the console securely inside and offers protection from scratches and other damage. The protector case let's you have full access to all game and connection ports, so you can play your favourite games while still being protected.... |