Tuesday, August 25, 2009

A Discovery


Actually it's not my discovery. I don't remember who blogged about using peel and stick shipping labels to back treated fabric so you can run it through the printer. The blogger said it gave a much more secure stick than freezer paper. I've stuck (pun intended) to the freezer paper because I didn't know where to buy the labels. Then in Kinko's yesterday, I saw them and bought some. I was doubtful: wouldn't it be hard to make them stick smoothly to the fabric, and wouldn't it be hard to peel them off? It's not. The Avery people provide a big scored section so that the label peels beautifully, it sticks securely and runs through the printer perfectly, and peels off the fabric later. I think you could actually reuse the sticky label. I haven't tried that, but even if it's a one use, at fifty cents a label, plus the cost of Bubble Jet Set, it's cheaper than the premade sheets. I got a brighter image too. That's interesting and surprising.

11 comments:

Nellie's Needles said...

Thanks for posting your find as well as your results. More good stuff with which to play.

*karendianne. said...

Huh. You know, Cathi over at Quilt Obsession is really into that Inklingo stuff but it has to be printed onto the fabric thru the printer. I've never been comfortable with that. I think this backing idea might work.

So the whole label is actually 8x11, ha? That's fantastic. I might really give this a go. Tnx. Kay.

Debra Dixon said...

I've used this method tons of times--used it for my Little Flower Urchins (Hoffman '07) and it works great. You can use the paper about 4 times if you carefully return it to the backing sheet and keep it lint-free. I wouldn't go back to freezer paper now for anything.

Kay said...

So it's you I should thank!

Joyce said...

That's good to know. I refuse to spring for the sheets they sell so I have been resisting using computer printed fabric. I may give this a try. Thanks for the info.

Libby Fife said...

Can I ask where the images came from and I assume that you printed inc olor right? What a great tool. I use the freezer paper and to give the fabric body I add spray starch. Imay have to give this a go though.

Libby Fife said...

Wow, I need to proofread before I hit the send button!

The Calico Cat said...

wow... (I need ot use the phototransfers that I paid a guy to do before I try my hand at self transferring... but I love the idea.)

Candace said...

GREAT idea, Kay! We have tons of that sitting around our office that is slated for the trash bin - not anymore....dibs!
Cheers!

laura west kong said...

That's great, thanks for the tip! It looks like something fun to try. =(^_^)=

Liz in Kansas said...

Wow! Those are really good images! I've used the freezer paper and purchased fabric, but can't remember getting anything quite that clear. Another reason to visit the office supply store - darn! LOL!

P.S. Verification word is "pootatie". Is that anything like "patootie"?