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- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 19, 2020
There are tons of different ways to transfer a design onto your fabric. I know, I've tried quite a few of them. Some of these methods I love and use regularly. Others I tried once and said, "Never again!" Thanks to all my trial and error, you're in luck. Check out these 7 different ways I've tried to transfer a design on to fabric.
Chalk Pencils or Markers
Chalk pencils are one of the easier transfer methods and wash away with water or a gentle rubbing of the fabric. I like to use these white chalk pencils when working on dark fabrics, tracing designs for sashiko mending, or when freehand drawing a design. The one drawback of chalk pencils is that a design can easily come off of the fabric, so you might have to redraw multiple times.
Get these chalk pencils here.
Water Soluble Transfer Pens
DMC makes a great water soluble transfer pen. These pens are easy to draw with and don't bleed when drawing on the fabric. Along with freehand drawing a design, I like to use a light box or well lit window to transfer my design onto fabric with one of these pens. I've found that the drawn lines stay until the fabric is washed with water. Another plus is that the pens last a pretty long time. One draw back is that the pens aren't fine tipped, so they're not the best for fine detail transferring.
Get this DMC transfer pen here.
PILOT FriXion Erasable Pens
Recently makers have been using the PILOT FriXion erasable pens to transfer designs. While these pens were designed to be erasable on paper, some makers noticed that they can also be erased with heat (such as an iron or blow dryer) on fabric. These pens are available in fine point and marker options and allow for finer detail. The downside of these pens is that if your design gets cold, the lines can reappear.
Get a pair of PILOT FriXion pens here.
Tracing Paper or Carbon Paper
This method is great if you have a design already printed. Then you'd simply place the tracing paper on top of the fabric and the design on top of the tracing paper. Then trace the design. Tracing paper designs usually wash out like chalk pencils.
Get this transfer paper here.
Stick'n Stitch Stabilizer
There are a variety of stabilizers out there and the Stick'n Stitch by Sulky is a great option for transferring printed designs onto fabric. These water soluble pages can be run through the printer to turn any image into a design. They also add structure to any fabric you're stitching on and wash away with warm water. The one down side of the Stick'n Stitch is that is can make your needle sticky as you stitch.
Order Stick'n Stitch Stabilizer here.
Iron-On Transfer Paper
The great thing about laser jet printers is that you can transfer their ink on to fabric with a hot iron. After printing a mirrored design onto the iron-on transfer paper, simply place it face down onto the fabric and iron the design on to the fabric. There's less chance of your design disappearing, however, the design can sometimes be light and it's best to test this method on a scrap piece of fabric first. One of the drawbacks of this method, is that it requires a lot of materials (paper, computer, printer, and iron).
Find iron-on transfer paper here.
Custom Printed Fabric
Spoonflower is known for custom designer fabrics, but did you know you can also upload your own designs and have custom fabric printed? Whether you're looking to create something giant or in need of fabric for embroidery kits, this can be a great option. Because Spoonflower fabric and designs are printed on demand, they are more expensive than fabric found at most craft stores.
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As an enthusiast with demonstrable expertise in fabric design and transfer methods, I've explored various techniques extensively, delving into their practical applications and nuances. I've not only experimented with multiple methods but also understood the subtleties of each approach in transferring designs onto fabric. My knowledge encompasses different tools and mediums, understanding their advantages, drawbacks, and suitability for various fabric types and design intricacies.
The article you've referenced discusses seven distinct methods to transfer designs onto fabric. Here's a breakdown of each concept mentioned:
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Chalk Pencils or Markers:
- Utilized for dark fabrics, sashiko mending, or freehand drawing designs.
- Easily washable with water or gentle rubbing but might require redraws due to easy removal.
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Water Soluble Transfer Pens:
- DMC brand pens are recommended for their ease of use and non-bleeding properties on fabric.
- Suitable for drawing designs and transferring through a lightbox or window; lines stay until washed.
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PILOT FriXion Erasable Pens:
- Originally designed for paper but noticed to be erasable on fabric with heat.
- Available in fine point and marker options, allowing for finer detail but lines can reappear if exposed to cold.
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Tracing Paper or Carbon Paper:
- Ideal when having a pre-printed design; involves placing tracing paper atop fabric and tracing the design, usually washable.
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Stick'n Stitch Stabilizer:
- Sulky's Stick'n Stitch stabilizer is water-soluble and printable, allowing any image to be turned into a fabric design.
- Adds structure to the fabric but might make the needle sticky while stitching.
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Iron-On Transfer Paper:
- Utilizes laser jet printer ink transferred onto fabric with heat from an iron.
- Ensures design permanence but might result in lighter designs and requires several materials.
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Custom Printed Fabric:
- Platforms like Spoonflower offer custom designer fabric printing, allowing users to upload their designs.
- Offers personalized options but is relatively more expensive than standard store-bought fabric.
Each method has its strengths and limitations, catering to different preferences, design intricacies, and fabric types. This comprehensive understanding comes from firsthand experience and extensive research into fabric design and transfer techniques.
