Treating labels done on my printer...

[#1]

I'm trying to make some labels on my ink jet printer, using 1) T-shirt transfer paper and 2) the sheets that come with fabric on one side. Both work pretty well, but the problem is the instructions for making them colorfasts and fadeproof.One says to soak the printed labels in cold water and after that you can machine wash them in cold water and dry them on low. BUT: You are told at the end that when washing them you shouldn't use detergent! My customers will probably want to wash my kids' aprons with detergent, not just cold water! If I go ahead and try it anyway, what will happen? Have any of you tried this?

Another kind says to soak the printed labels in vinegar and water (after printing) to set the ink. This made the labels quite stiff.

The type I printed directly on to fabric sheets look nice, and the instructions for making them colorfast was fairly simple (machine wash and dry at cool settiings). HOWEVER: Directions say to remove the items promptly from the washer or the labels may fade. My customers wouldn't be happy to have faded printer ink on their kids' aprons just because they had to let the aprons sit in the washer for awhile.

I keep trying to come up with a cost-effective, nice label that can be washed normally and that won't fade. Anyone have some advice?

I did order some labels done for me by someone on etsy, but the print was so tiny as to be almost unreadable. So, I guess I'll have to learn how to make my own.

Also, how do I make labels frayproof? Will Fray Check work, or is that a difficult, time-consuming way to do it?

Thanks,
M.

[MeowWow]

Thanks very much, yoursandi! Any other tips for making the ink colorfast?

I'm going to try your way. Sounds a lot less expensive.

[Former_Member]

marking! this is great information. thank so much for sharing.

[CultofMedea]

this is really inteesting it never occured to me to print this way.

[hobwicki]

I purchased June Tailor Sew-In Colorfast fabric sheets from Jo-Ann Fabrics. $10 for 3 8 1/2" x 11" sheets is rather pricey, so thank you yoursandi for sharing your technique. It is much for cost effective.

I still have yet to design both of my tags (CPSIA and FTC), but once I do I am going to use up the June Tailor sheets since I went ahead and opened the package already.

[MeowWow]

I got June Tailor Sew-In Colorfast Fabric Sheets for Ink Jet Printers at Walmart. The package has seven 8 1/2" z 11 inch sheets and I paid $12.97. Unless there are several different kinds of June Tailor fabric sheets, the Walmart price per sheet is considerably less than at Jo-Ann Fabrics.

I'll use the sheets I have, since several of you have had good luck with them, and have had no problems when laundering the labels with detergent.

But I'm also going to try yoursandi's idea of using muslin and freezer paper. Again thanks!

I'll check back here again. There have been so many good ideas shared here! I love these forums...always learn so much. You are the best.

[BikiniSandi]

I saw freezer paper already cut to fit a printer at Walmart in the craft dept. It was more money than I was willing to pay for that convenience. I use my rotary cutter.

[trafalgarssquare]

check this etsy shop out for labels

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32548920

[NotMyTreeStore]

I have also used the same method that yoursandi described, and I love it. Also, if you use the exact same process but use ribbon instead of fabric, the edges are already sealed (on at least two sides, anyway), so there is no fraying. If you're just going to loop it and sew the two unsealed sides under a seam, it works great. I use them for care instructions, size, etc.

I also ordered labels from Jennifer's Jewels here on etsy, and I absolutely love them. SO soft, and colorfast, and non-fray...they really add a finishing touch to my projects.

[Former_Member]

Fabulous idea yoursandi! Thanks for sharing your tip with us. That will save me so much money.

[PlaygroundCouture]

I made my own at first and found it to be a pain. They faded and shredded in the wash after one two washes. Be careful and make sure they are going to withstand the wash or you are wasting your time.

Kathy

[PlaygroundCouture]

I made my own at first and found it to be a pain. They faded and shredded in the wash after one two washes. Be careful and make sure they are going to withstand the wash or you are wasting your time.

Kathy

[Former_Member]

I've been playing around with printing my labels as well. What I stumbled on was ink jet canvas paper, not sure how well it would go with washing, but really nice and thick/heavy. I'll definately try some of the suggestions for colorfasting. I don't need mine in the wash, but need them to holdup all the same. k

oh, did notice that if I print on one side of the canvas you can scratch off the ink, if you print on the other you can't really scratch off the ink.

[thejunebride]

Hello all! I sell a tutorial that covers exactly this problem... you can see it here:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39673888

It has saved many a head of hair :) I use this method to make my own labels. Happy week to you all!

[hobwicki]

jakboutique, what kind of ribbon did you use? And how do you go about running that through an inkjet printer? Ribbon would be perfect if I can figure out how to print on it!

[curlyQdesign]

I'm also curious about printing on ribbon??
Thanks for this thread!

[BikiniSandi]

I thought of ribbon, but how do you iron it on the freezer paper without melting it? Or maybe you can tape it on with the masking tape?

I've seen clothes in the stores that have labels printed on that look a whole lot like interfacing. Now that would sure be an inexpensive way to print labels...

[BackyardNaturePhotos]

marking

[Former_Member]

marking...VERY interesting :)

[studiostebbylee]

wow1
Great tips and ideas!
Crafty crafty little artists!!!

[NotMyTreeStore]

When I iron the ribbon to the shiny side of the freezer paper (1.5 inch grosgrain or cotton ribbon), I cover it with a piece of parchment as I'm ironing so that the shiny side of the paper doesn't stick to the iron. When I'm done printing, the freezer paper peels right off of the ribbon.

[Former_Member]

I currently use the Avery T-shirt iron on sheets. I print them on my Lexmark ink jet printer then iron them on to 100% cotton fabric and cut them out with pinking scissors. My children have made T-shirts using these transfers and they seem to hold up well in the wash. I specify on my care labels to wash using the gentle cycle, cool wash and dry flat or low heat since my hats have embroidered features on them.
I'm curious about the freezer paper idea. Does this work for the "run of the mill" ink jet home printers? Will it decrease the life of your printer? Does the print bleed? Does it use more ink than just printing on paper?

[MeowWow]

I experimented with both June Tailor and Avery T-shirt transfer sheets. The nicest (and clearest) ones are the fabric sheets from June Tailor. While it says not to use detergent when laundering, I tried it with my Arm and Hammer detergent and there was no bleeding of ink at all. However, I talked with a customer service rep from June Tailor, and she said that some detergents are fine and others cause the labels to bleed (especially those with any kind of bleach, including color-safe bleach, or other additives added to the detergent). The labels are done and sewn into my items, so I'm going to attach a paper tag with a safety pin (next to my label) to warn customers not to use a detergent with added bleach. Next time I print labels, I'll add the part about not using detergent with bleach or other additives.

As for the Avery ones, they're pretty nice, but the print isn't as clear. The labels are harder to sew through too. In the instructions with those, it says not to leave the labels sit wet in the washing machine for too long, or they could bleed. Again, it seems to depend upon the detergent and whether things have been added to it. They didn't bleed at all when used with my trusty Arm and Hammer detergent, though.

Just thought I'd pass along this information to you, especially those of you who use the fabric sheets.

I may try the Dick Blick ones too, when I have the time, and the freezer paper method.

[PincushionCrazy]

There's a product you can buy called "Bubble Jet Set 200". It looks like water and has no smell but it is corrosive.

You wet your cotton or silk fabric with it then hang it to dry.

You then iron the fabric onto freezer paper and put it through your printer...iron the finished fabric to heat set.

You can print on this fabric with your printer and it won't run or "spider".

You can wash this fabric when you're done although how durable it would be I don't know.

I've used this stuff for years with great results but I've never used it to make labels so can't comment on it's suitability for that.

[Former_Member]

But can crafters get COC, GCC, or testing cretificates for CPSIA compliancy on "Bubble Jet Set 200"?

[curlyQdesign]

FYI - the above link to 'worldwidelabels' for purchasing labels... I ordered my labels through them a few months ago, and am VERY happy with them... however I did recently contact them regarding CPSIA compliancy, this was the response I recieved, "Also i am sorry that they are not able to get test by the CPSIA because the factory is in asia" - so now I'm nervous to continue to use the labels I already have!!!