Printing on Fabric to Create Unique Decor

Printing on fabric is SUCH a game changer & today on the blog I want to show you how you can create unique decor using this technique.

I’ll also be featuring designs from my Easter Blessings Printable Bundle.

While there are many fabric printing options & techniques, I’m working specifically with my InkJet Printer and Canvas Drop Cloth for this tutorial.

And if you love vintage as much as I do, you’ll really enjoy how I am going to display my printed drop cloth on this charming clipboard and slacks hanger!

To encourage you to try this yourself, I’ve put together a SUPPLY LIST, Simple Steps, AND a Short VIDEO TUTORIAL below to guide you along!

This post may contain referral links to products used. This means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you. I only refer products I use & love

Here is a List of SUPPLIES I used:

(underlined items are clickable links to take you to a source for the product in case you need it)

• 8.5x11in piece of Painter’s Drop Cloth canvas fabric
• 8.5x11in piece of White Cardstock
• 8.5x11in Kraft Cardstock template
• InkJet Printer (this one is similar to mine, nothing fancy)
• School Glue Stick
• Fray Check
• Iron/Ironing Board
• Cutting Mat
• Rotary Cutter
• Printable Digital Designs (I will be using 8x10in Vintage Rabbit & Church designs)
• Vintage Clipboard
• Vintage Slacks Hanger
• Green Berry Bush (Hobby Lobby Sku#997908)

Hopefully these STEPS, along with the Short Video Tutorial above, will give you all the details you need to try Printing on Fabric yourself!

• I LOVE crafting with drop cloths because you get so much fabric for the cost!
• But the VERY FIRST STEP is to prep your drop cloths
• Prepare the Drop Cloths by washing twice, no fabric softener….then dry.
• Now, with a rotary cutter/mat, & 8.5x11in kraft cardstock as a template, I cut a piece of canvas drop cloth 8.5x11in
• Please note you don’t have to use a rotary cutter/mat, but it make things a bit easier than just using scissors.
• Next, I ironed out all the wrinkles with a hot iron
• Then, apply regular school glue stick along the edges and center of a piece of 8.5x11in white cardstock
• Press down piece of drop cloth to attach to white cardstock
• Then use the rotary cutter again to trim off excess fabric
• As you press & smooth the drop cloth on the cardstock, the fibers stretch creating that excess
• Now, it’s a good idea to check the corners, adding a bit of extra stick glue
• You don’t want to fabric to break loose and jam the printer (though if that happens, just troubleshoot it & try again)
• Every printer is different, but you can change your printer settings to highest quality ink to place a good amount of ink onto the fabric….if you skip the part, that is okay…might just not be as vibrant

As mentioned in the Supply List, I do not have a fancy printer…it’s a basic HP Ink Jet & has worked great over the years!

• I am using 8x10in Vintage Church & Rabbit printable designs to demonstrate, but you can use any image you’d like
• Depending on how your printer loads, be sure the fabric side is positioned to take the ink & then press SEND
• If your printer does jam…..recheck amount of glue around the edges to keep the fabric in place
• Also check you trimmed off any excess fabric past the 8.5x11in sized paper
• After printing, here are the options….
• Option 1) you can peel the drop cloth fabric off the cardstock
• For Option 1, I recommend applying fraycheck to edges
• OR Option 2) Leave the drop cloth fabric attached to cardstock for more stability when you display
• I peeled off the vintage rabbit design & displayed on vintage clipboard
• I also added a few sprigs of green berry bush for embellishement
• For the vintage church, I left on the cardstock & displayed on a vintage slacks hanger

And Just Like That….Beautiful Decor!

How amazingly UNIQUE are these creations?! Perfect for spring & Easter decor!

There are so many ways to use this printed fabric technique!

I have printed on both drop cloth & osnaburg fabric to create many beautiful projects. I have

1. Simply framed without glass
2. Attached to wood block with upholstery tacks
3. Decoupaged to sign blank
4. Used Glue Dots to attach to a metal bucket
5. Used Glue Dots as large label on hanging basket
6. Stapled to wood trim for hanging canvas

SO MANY POSSIBILITIES!

Be Sure to PIN this for Later!

Now there are a few other options for creating a printed fabric look….if you’re interested in exploring those, I’ll mention a few below!

Additional Supplies if you’d like to try other techniques/options to for printed fabric look:

• InkJet Canvas Sheets (no prep needed)– these sheets give a canvas look without all the prep….they feed straight into an InkJet Printer
• Freezer Paper– cut freezer paper to 8.5x11in and use an iron to fuse it onto your fabric of choice..send through printer & then peel off freezer paper
• Clear Contact Paper– cut contact paper to 8.5x11in and apply direct to fabric….send through the printer & then peel off contact paper
• Full Label Sheets– peel off backer paper of label sheet & apply direct to fabric…send through the printer & then peel off sticker

Another method I have used with success is spray adhesive on cardstock..However, it is quite messy & I much prefer the glue stick method.

I hope you’ve found this tutorial to be most helpful! More importantly I hope I’ve given you the confidence to give it a try! Thank you for stopping by the blog!