Quilt Labels
2011
I have used the custom printing service Spoonflower, to print up a few textiles I have designed for my own usage and test designs. I came up with the brilliant idea (well, I thought it was awful brilliant anyway) to use this service to also print up some custom fabric labels to use on the back of my quilts. Thinking that you might want a fresh idea for gift giving, I thought I would share this with you.
You do not have to be a textile designer to do the same thing. Having custom fabric printed from services like Spoonflower or Fabric on Demand is very easy because of their user friendly programs that are able to generate your images, labels, designs into repeat patterns if you cannot create them yourself. Each service has it’s own requirements for dpi (resolution) and file format of image, but they also have good instructions for leading you through the process. Both services show you a preview of what your design will look like before you purchase so you know what you will be buying.
Now, these services create the printed textiles using digital print, sort of a super large printer, rather then screen printing like the fabrics done from traditional mills. But hey, this is a fantastic way to get affordable, custom printing done with a quick turn-around time.
The fabrics I have gotten printed from this method have stood up well being washed and dried and come in a variety of weights and types of materials. I chose quilting weight cotton for my labels. Fabric comes in the standard, 42″ wide widths.
Labels could include any sort of information you would like to have put onto your quilts or other projects. I used my logo as my design. Custom labels would make a great gift for any quilter or seamstress and can be made in any size you want. I made mine about a 6 x 3 1/2″ which includes a 1/4″ all the way around to turn under.
So, check the sites out if you hadn’t heard of them before. You never know when you may want to use a service like those or what brilliant idea you will come up with to have printed out!
4 comments
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Are these free to download and use?
I am guessing you are asking if my labels are free to download and use?
No, those labels are my logo and I use them on my quilts. I just used them as an example of what you can achieve using custom printing services that offer digital printing onto fabrics. You will have to design your own label in a program you have at home and upload it to the service you choose to be printed out once you are on that site.
Sharon
I do design custom quilt labels with anything you would like on them, original artwork and one of a kind!
There certainly are individuals and professionals who can design quilt labels for you. Search the web to find them. My intent of this post was to introduce those who may not know of or have used digital fabric printing services that they can be the designer.
You can create your own label with even the simplest word program, you can even draw something on a piece of paper, scan it, crop it and now you have what you need to design your own label using the on-line services like Spoonflower or Fabric on Demand.
Check out the sites, look over how it is done to get a feel for what you will need to bring to the table like file type, size limits. I am sure there is an inner designer in you!