How to Get Ink From a Printer to Be Permanent on Fabric

How to Check the Printer Status in Windows
Written By
Amber Webb
Amber Webb
Published: Jan 12, 2010
Updated: Feb 23, 2021
2 minute read

With this easy project that can be done in about an hour, you can permanently transfer an image printed on your home printer to fabric, such as a t-shirt or jeans, to add a personal touch or show off your own designs.

Things You'll Need:

Things You Will Need

  • Smooth Fabric (Such As Clothing Or Blankets)
  • Printer
  • Iron
  • Iron-On Transfer Paper
  • Select the image you want to transfer to fabric. In your design program, flip the image before printing. Otherwise, the image will appear backwards on your fabric. Print the image onto the transfer paper.

    Preheat your iron to the highest setting. On an ironing board or other flat, heat-resistant surface, lay a towel and smooth it with the iron. Lay the fabric over the towel and iron this as well. Place the iron-on transfer, print side down, where you want your design to be.

    Applying firm pressure, iron the transfer onto the fabric. Do not use steam. Move the iron slowly from left to right. Check the manufacturer's directions to know how long you should iron the transfer.

    Let the fabric and transfer cool completely before removing. To remove the paper, hold the fabric with one hand and grasp a corner of the paper with the other hand. Slowly peel off the transfer paper, watching to make sure the image transfers smoothly. If the image starts to tear, put the transfer paper back and repeat step 3.

    Amber Webb

    Amber Webb started her professional writing career in 2005. She has written for the United Way, the National Forest Service and has worked in corporate communications at several technology companies. She now works as a freelance writer.…

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