Use your HP printer to print on fabric

Cotton fabric sheets from The Electric Quilt Company are available in a variety of sizes and thread counts.

There are a few things you’ll need to print on fabric successfully:

Inkjet fabric sheets. You can’t print directly onto a quilt or t-shirt, for example, but you can print your photos or graphics onto special fabric sheets with a removable paper backing (available at hobby and craft stores as well as fabric and quilting shops).

The Electric Quilt Company offers a variety of cotton fabric sheets available in different thread counts (which indicates a fabric’s quality and durability) and sizes.

An inkjet printer. Print on your inkjet fabric sheets as you would regular copy or photo paper using any inkjet printer (all HP printers are inkjet printers, except for HP LaserJet models).

Photos or graphics. Print photos and graphics from a variety of sources:

• Scanned photos or artwork
• Images from Web pages
• Digital photos from your camera or PC
• Clip art, or create your designs using software

From quilts to tote bags to stuffed animals, there’s so much you can make using inkjet fabric sheets, an HP printer, and a little imagination!

Once you’ve printed your photo or graphic onto your fabric sheet, you can sew or glue the image onto a range of materials to create fun projects and crafts, including:

• Quilts
• T-shirts
• Aprons
• Bags
• Labels
• Doll clothing
• Placemats
• Cushions
• Pillows
• Pennants

Explore the HP Creative Studio to find an assortment of fabric craft ideas and project templates.

Consider editing or adding creative effects to your photos before printing. Select HP printers even let you add color effects—no PC needed!

• Since the fabric sheets are large (minimum size 8.5" x 11"), if you’re planning on having your photo or graphic take up the entire sheet, be sure to use a large, high-resolution image.
  
  
• Want to enhance your photos before printing? Check out these tips and tricks to help you edit and restore your digital photos.
  
  
• Before you start printing, do a test print on regular paper to check the orientation and alignment of your image, and to establish which way you will need to load your fabric sheet (fabric side up or down).
  
  
• Before you load a fabric sheet into your printer’s paper tray, check for loose threads. If there are any, cut them off (don’t pull).

Step 4: Peel off plastic backing from your fabric sheet—you’ll be left with a naturally soft, printed piece of fabric!

Step 5: Soak your fabric sheet in room temperature water for 10 minutes.
Tip: If you’ve printed a large image onto your fabric sheet, use a casserole dish to soak your photo in.

After you’ve done your test print and are ready to start printing on your fabric sheet, follow the steps below:

1. Load one fabric sheet into your printer’s paper tray.
   • It is important to only load one fabric sheet at a time.
2. Adjust your printer settings to Best quality mode, Plain Paper, and 8.5" x 11" print size.
   • If you’re printing without a PC (for example, if you’re using your printer’s built-in memory card slot), you can make these adjustments using the printer’s touchscreen or control panel.
3. Print your image.
   • Let the ink dry for 15 minutes before handling your fabric sheet.
4. Peel off plastic backing from your fabric sheet—you’ll be left with a naturally soft, printed piece of fabric!
5. Soak in room temperature water for 10 minutes. Gently rinse.
   • Soaking the fabric in this step is what sets the ink.
   • Lay flat to dry.

Your fabric sheet is ready to use! To affix the fabric, you can sew or use a fusible bonding material such as Stitch Witchery, Fus-O-Bond, or Wonder Under Craft, depending on the surface you are adhering to.