Photo Transfer Fabric

Instructions For Photo Transfer Fabric

The Photocopy...

    The quality of the fabric print depends on the clarity of the photocopy. Photo transfer fabric works with toner photocopiers. High contrast photocopies are best, with crisp detail, black lines, white highlights and just enough gray to show contours.

    It is the photocopiers dark/light adjustment that determines the ink that will finally be printed onto the fabric. Adjust the light/dark setting for the most important image on each page. Do not just use the copiers automatic or photo button.

     

Testing The Temperature...

    Different photocopiers use different inks, this effects at what temperature the inked image can be transferred most effectively. Run an initial test on a photocopy to determine whether to peel the photo transfer fabric off the photocopy while it is still hot, after it has cooled down a little or after it has cooled down completely.

    To test the best temperature use a strip of photo transfer fabric and a strip of black photocopy. Place the photocopy face up over a sheet of typing paper on a padded ironing board. Place the photo transfer fabric strip shiny side down on top of the photocopy. Place a small piece of paper between the photocopy and transfer fabric at one end to use as a tab handle. Cover all with another sheet of typing paper. With the iron preheated to the wool setting, place the iron down on top of the typing paper. Using only the pressure of the iron, slide the iron back and forth and from side to side for 30 seconds.

    Remove the iron and immediately peel back the hot photo transfer fabric from the hot photocopy 1/3 of the length.

    Always peel the photo transfer fabric with the straight of the grain, do not pull off diagonally.

    Let it cool for about a minute, when just warm peel the warm photo transfer fabric from the warm photocopy another 1/3 of the length.

    Now let the photocopy and photo transfer fabric cool completely the peel from then last 1/3.

     

Observe The Results...

    Observe the results on the photo transfer fabric.

    If the image was best in the hot peeled area then preheat the iron to the cotton setting. Iron the padding for 10 seconds to preheat it. Place the photocopy, transfer fabric and typing paper down as before and iron without pressure for 10 seconds. Peel the transfer fabric from the photocopy while both are still hot.

    If the image transferred best in the warm peeled area, preheat the iron to the wool setting. Place the photocopy, transfer fabric and typing paper down as before and iron with no added pressure for about 20 seconds. Let the transfer fabric cool to warm and then peel it from the photocopy.

    If the image transferred the best in the cool peeled area, preheat the iron to the wool setting. Place the photocopy, transfer fabric and typing paper down as before and iron with no added pressure for 30 seconds. Let cool completely before peeling the transfer fabric from the photocopy.

    The inked photo transfer fabric is the printing plate for the final printing.

     

Printing The Fabric...

    Let the printing plate cool completely.

    Place the fabric to be printed right side up on the ironing board. Place the printing plate ink side down on top of the fabric to be printed and cover the surrounding area with typing paper.

    Preheat the iron to a cotton setting and iron using lots of pressure for a full minute. Replace paper around the plate if it scorches.

    While the cloth is still very hot peel the printing plate off. Again, pull in the direction of the grain, not diagonally.

     

Notes...

    Printed fabrics are washable.

    The photo transfer fabric will work with some colour copiers. Colour may also be added to the photocopy or to the photo transfer fabric, the adhesive will hold the colour in place for washing.

     

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