I decided to try to correct the problems with my first attempt at creating my own fabrics. The colors were a little faded and I had trouble finding clipart of designs I liked. This time, I decided to use some of my own designs. I changed a couple of things and was able to achieve much more saturated colors and I think my designs have much more of a graphic look. They are certainly more unique. Here’s what I did differently.
The color problem – For starters, I used Bubblejet set on WHITE fabric. Previously, I had used natural colored cotton. However, I still got faded colors even on the store bought sheets, which were white. I realized that my main problem was that I was being wimpy about color. I took a look at fabrics at the fabric store and realized that the colors used were often all extremely saturated colors. This doesn’t look good on screen but once out of the printer turned out great. I’ve done alot of work to learn to print accurately and to calibrate my screen to my printer. But, the weird thing is that the colors matched exactly. It’s just that fabric reflects light differently and our eyes can handle (in fact are drawn to) vivid colors that look garish onscreen.
Designing my own graphics – To design myown graphics I started with a bunch of doodles I’d made in my sketch book almost a year ago! I scanned them into my computer, enlarged them and printed them out. I then, redrew them onto a sheet of printer paper using a light tracing box (I often do this to perfect a drawing). I also colored some of my drawings in. My weapon of choice was a couple of sharpies but I imagine that using watercolors or paints would work just as well. I was EXTREMELY happy with the way the colored images turned out.
Wow! That is truly amazing stuff!
wow, beautiful artwork and fabrics, thanks for sharing your tips !!
Gorgeous! Thank you.
looks good!
Very interesting! Any advice on how the inks hold up to washing? I’ve got apps for this in mind – some of which rely on the inks being laundry (or at least dry clean) resistant, and others count on them washing out easily.
The Bubblejet Set used in the fabrics is said to be permanent. They have not faded and none of the inks washed out when I’ve handwashed the fabrics.
Absolutely beautiful patterns and color! Congrats on trying to refine your custom fabirc process.
hello: I’ve just found your blog via emmas designblogg. I love your fabric designs, they are gorgeous! and thank you for sharing this, it made me want to try it myself. Must, must try.
[...] Amy’s digitally designed fabrics are awesome and she used Bubblejet set. She provides some great pointers if you’re interested in printing out your designs yourself. She’s followed it up with a great tutorial on silk-screening patterns. [...]
That is so cool! Beautiful designs. Beautiful fabric.
I’m not quite sure if I understand the procedure. Do you put the fabric right through your printer? Does it only work with a bubblejet and not an inkjet? Sorry for all the questions!
Sorry, about the confusion. Bubblejet Set is a liquid that you soak your fabric in. After the fabric dries, you iron the fabric onto freezer paper for support as it feeds through your printer. The Bubblejet Set makes the inks from your inkjet printer permanent. Hope that answers your questions!
BTW – Bubblejet set is available at Dharmatrading.com and comes with complete instructions.
Would you care to share any tips on matching printer to monitor? I get to the part where you choose “print space” and I don’t know if it should be the monitor or the printer I’m choosing, not to mention that there area dozen other choices that sound likely.
Sure, When selecting print space it is most important that the print space matches the kind of media printing to, even though you are printing to fabric. I chose “SP2200 – Watercolor” under print space and then in the next window, I chose that kind of paper for Media Type under the “Print Settings” preset. It’s also important to select “No color Adjustment” under the “Color Management” preset.
I hope that helps. If you don’t have these print space choices available or if you don’t have an Epson printer. You may need to find and download the proper print spaces for your printer.
HI,
Excellent Job! Very impressive designs. Keep up the good work. We may have to try that as well.
Wow! This is exactly what I’ve been looking for. A way to make my pictures into fabric. So, if I understand correctly you end up with fabric only as big as the paper that you put in. I wonder if there is any way to make it bigger. I can’t wait to try this!!
Jenny, The size of the piece of fabric you print is limited to the size that will fit into your printer.
My mom experimented with bubble jet set and was unhappy with its performance, and I had a theory about the color saturation level, but I didn’t have a chance to test my theories!
This is great, and I can’t wait to try this.
Hello Amy!
What is the name on your printer, and were can I buy one?
With best regards
Hasse of Sweden
Hi Hasse,
It is an Epson 2200.