The dye sub process only works with polyesters and a few other synthetics. There are sprays that will saturate cotton fibers with a polyester base, but the results are usually not too impressive. The process I use just prints a reverse image on regular inkjet paper that heat transfers to the fabric. The dye sub printers used for photography will do a good job as well, but the images are occasionally blured because the image is sublimated twice, once from the ribbon onto the coated paper, and a second time from the coated paper on to the fabric or other substrate. Another process that makes superior image transfers uses the ALPS micro-dry resin printer system. While the printers are not really suited for photographic images (ALPS took them off the US market several years ago), they make great transfers that have a "hand" very similar to screen printed fabrics, but with much brighter colors and higher resolution. Roland makes a printer that uses the micro-dry process--I believe it's the COlor Camm 600--and many sigh shops have them. Your friends are fortunate to know someone so sensitive to their spirituality. Take care, Bill -----Original Message----- From: "Emily L. Ferguson" <elf@xxxxxxxx> Sent: Nov 21, 2004 4:05 PM To: List for Photo/Imaging Educators - Professionals - Students <photoforum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: Re: printing onto fabric At 2:14 PM -0500 11/21/04, wpettit@xxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote: >I use dye sublimation inks in an Epson inkjet printer. Using a heat >press, the inks actually fuse with polyester fabric. >The results are beautiful and last as long as the fabric stays >intact. There's a good chance that someone in your area does >dye-sub work. It's the same process used to put photos on coffee >mugs. Other than fabric, the materials cost is about $1.50 per sq >ft. Yes, a local lab does have an old dye-sub printer around somewhere and I think they can still get the dye tapes for it. Interesting idea. I'll check with the lab tomorrow. Do you print onto some plastic sheet rather than dye-sub paper? Do you think the inks would dye cotton? My friend's father left a house full of old clothing and I've been cleaning it out in preparation for putting it on the market. There are all these old cotton hankies and I've been transferring the designs to them. I already sent a set to her partner, Dave, although he doesn't know it yet, But since then I've developed a much more universal set for myself and learned a little about theses prayer flags and the traditions binding them. One has to be very thoughtful appropriating someone else's spiritual expression, I think. To me, there is no place for self-centeredness or self-righteousness in that process. Kinda the core problem with Christianity....... Maybe tonight I'll put up a little web page of them so you can all see them. -- Emily L. Ferguson mailto:elf@xxxxxxxx 508-563-6822 New England landscapes, wooden boats and races, press photography http://www.vsu.cape.com/~elf/
