How to: Transfer text to fabric

Hello 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.

I know from reading the archives here you some of you transfer patterns to fabric, So I thought someone may have some ideas I have not thought of yet,

Thanks,

-Cat

Reply to
Cat
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Can you put the project into a utility context? People's names or lengthy prose? Simple wine bottle gift bags or kids backpacks for daily use? (The other day I saw a burlap bag with tamles in it, and it was covered with text. Looked like silkscreening.) How many are you making, and what kind of fabric?

Can you transfer the text to a piece of muslin (using inkjet transfer media), then stitch that on as an applique? I did that with a silk T-shirt and it worked very well, but I sure wouldn;t want to create more than a couple of them.

HTH

--Karen D. wanna help!

Reply to
Veloise

Me, I'd pull out a fabric marker (take a look at

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stretch the fabric out over a plastic cutting board and write it.Kay

Reply to
Kay Lancaster

I wanted to suggest you machine embroider them. I created a logo file and edited it for each name for embroidering a soccer ball logo and the players' names on windbreakers for DGD's team last year.

However, if your items are pre-made, I doubt you could hoop them correctly. And purchasing an embroidery machine might be cost-prohibitive.

Beverly

Reply to
BEI Design

Alot of electronic sewing machines that are not embroidery machines have built in alphabets that you can stitch. The are similar to decorative stitchs and about the size range you are looking for. Certainly less expensive than a full embroidery machine. And you do not need to hoop the item, however some fabric may need a stabilizer. Some stabilizers stay in the project, others are tearaway or wash away, depending on what works for you item.

Joy

Reply to
Joy

Good Morning Karen,

The bags are made out of linen or duck cloth (occasionally synthetic blends), usually range in size from 2x2 inches up to 6x8 inches and are used primarily for storage of metal parts. I've begun using them for everything and the text I want to imprint on them is identification for what is enclosed. The bags themselves will probably never be washed, nor do they take a lot of abuse. However, it would be great if I could use this same printing\transfer method for other projects such as putting a logo onto clothing.

I started looking into silk screening, but WOW that's a lot of work for such a silly little project like this :) - the bags are not sold, but I do sometimes make fancy ones and put gifts in them (hence the reason why this came up so close to Christmas).

The text is almost always one-off; that's why I've been using a "create a stamp kit" it works well but often takes 5min to set up the stamp for one press. It may be the best way of doing this, but as I mentioned before I was reading the board and you all are very creative I'm hoping someone here has a better way :)

-Cat

Reply to
Cat

I label my bags this way:

  1. Print up the desired text on paper using MS Word, label mode. Do both sides in register for reversible tags of needed size.
  2. Have the 8 1/2 x 11 paper laminated in plastic at Staples
  3. Cut up labels to make tags
  4. Punch hole in edge of tag
  5. Affix tag to bag drawstring

JPBill

Reply to
W.Boyce

If you draw guidelines with a ruler and a disappearing marker, you can write very neatly with a permanent marker. Line up the bottoms of the letters, the tops of the bodies of the letters, and the tops of the ascenders. If there are descenders in your script, draw a fourth line to line those up too.

If you can see through the sacks -- perhaps by putting a light under them -- you can draw just one set of guide lines and put it under each sack while you are writing.

If you want fancy, look into rub-on letters from an art store. (I doubt that rub-on letters would wash, but I've had some stuck to a metal bobbin for five or ten years and they haven't worn off yet.)

Since the bags aren't to be washed, glued-on labels should do fine -- you may be able to run iron-on interfacing through your printer.

You can also write or print on thin paper, then turn it over and trace over the letters with an iron-on pencil. Works only for larger letters -- pity nobody makes iron-on *ink*.

Joy Beeson

Reply to
Joy Beeson

Reply to
lldelso

Based on this (not for public display) I would write directly on the bag with a Sharpie marker. Or on a duck-cloth patch stitched in place for the label.

HTH

--Karen D.

Cat wrote:

Reply to
Veloise

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