How to Print Scrapbooking Clipart on Fabric: 7 Steps

If you’ve ever tried printing scrapbooking clipart on fabric and ended up with blurry images, bleeding colors, or stiff, cracked designs, you’re not alone. The good news? You can get crisp, vibrant, washable fabric prints at home in 7 straightforward steps — once you know the right fabric sheets, printer settings, and heat-setting tricks. This guide walks you through each step with exact temperatures, tool names, and troubleshooting tips so your printed fabric looks as good as your digital clipart.

Key Takeaways

• Use inkjet-ready printable fabric sheets (silk, cotton, or canvas) — never regular fabric or laser sheets.
• Set your printer to “Plain Paper” or “Photo Paper” mode depending on your fabric sheet brand, and always print a test swatch first.
• Heat-set your printed fabric with a dry iron on medium-high for 3–5 minutes to make the ink permanent.
• Wait 24 hours before washing printed fabric, then wash in cold water and air-dry to preserve colors.
• Mirror your design if your clipart includes text or directional elements — otherwise it will print reversed.

What You Need to Print Clipart on Fabric

Before you start, gather these supplies — most are already in your craft room.

• Printable fabric sheets (e.g., Avery Printable Fabric, June Tailor Print-Fabric, or Crafters Workshop sheets) — 8.5" x 11" for standard printers.
• Inkjet printer with black and color ink (dye-based or pigment-based; pigment gives better washfastness).
• Scrapbooking clipart in PNG or JPEG format at 300 DPI.
• Photo editing software (e.g., Adobe Photoshop, Canva, or free GIMP) to resize and mirror.
• Scissors or rotary cutter and cutting mat.
• Iron and pressing cloth (or parchment paper) for heat-setting.
• Fabric sealant (optional, like Thermoweb Inkjet Fabric Sheets come with built-in coating).

Step 1: Choose the Right Printable Fabric Sheet

Not all fabric is created equal. Standard cotton fabric from your stash won’t feed through a printer without jamming — and even if it does, the ink will bleed like crazy. Instead, buy pre-coated printable fabric sheets designed for inkjet printers. These have a paper backing that stabilizes the fabric and a special coating that holds ink droplets in place.

Cotton vs. Silk vs. Canvas Sheets

For beginners, cotton sheets are the most forgiving. Canvas gives a sturdier feel but may crack if you fold it tightly. Silk is gorgeous but finicky — it needs extra care when ironing.

Step 2: Prep Your Clipart File (Resize + Mirror)

Your scrapbooking clipart might be a tiny 2-inch flower or a full-page collage. Either way, open it in your editing software and do these two things:

1. Resize to your desired final size — don’t stretch a 72-DPI web image to 8x10 or it will pixelate. Keep 300 DPI for sharp edges.
2. Mirror horizontally if your clipart contains letters, numbers, or directional elements (like an arrow). When you print on fabric, the design will face the correct way once you sew or glue it down. For pure images (flowers, birds, patterns), mirroring isn’t necessary.

Test print on regular paper first to check size and mirroring — it’s cheaper than wasting a fabric sheet.

Step 3: Set Your Printer for Fabric

Your printer’s default settings will treat fabric like plain paper — which often results in too much ink and smudging. Here’s what to change:

• Paper type: Select “Plain Paper” for most fabric sheets (they’re coated to handle normal ink volume). Some brands like June Tailor recommend “Photo Paper” for richer color — check your brand’s instructions.
• Quality: Choose “Best” or “High” — not “Draft.” You want deep color saturation.
• Color management: Disable any printer color correction if you’re using ICC profiles from your editing software, so colors match your screen.
• Feed method: Use the manual feed tray (if your printer has one) to avoid the sheet curling or jamming.

If you’re unsure, do a tiny test print on a scrap corner of the sheet — you can always cut off the test area later.

Step 4: Print Your Clipart onto the Fabric Sheet

Load the fabric sheet with the printable side facing down (check the arrow on the backing). Press print and watch closely — the sheet should feed smoothly. If it jams, remove it and re-insert slowly.

After printing, let the ink dry completely — at least 10–15 minutes. Do not touch the printed surface with your fingers; the coating is delicate until heat-set.

Troubleshooting Common Print Issues

• Ink bleeding → Your DPI is too high or you used too much ink. Lower the print quality to “Normal” and try again.
• Faded colors → Your ink cartridge is low, or you selected “Draft” mode. Replace the cartridge and print on “Best.”
• Fabric sheet jams → The backing may be bent. Flatten it under a heavy book for an hour before printing.

Step 5: Heat-Set the Ink for Durability

This is the step most people skip, and it’s why their fabric prints wash away. Heat-setting bonds the ink to the fabric fibers so it survives laundering and handling.

1. Wait until the ink is completely dry (at least 15 minutes).
2. Remove the paper backing from the fabric sheet (carefully peel from a corner).
3. Place a pressing cloth (or parchment paper) over the printed fabric.
4. Set your iron to medium-high heat (cotton setting) — no steam.
5. Press the iron firmly for 3–5 minutes, moving it slowly over the entire design. Do not slide the iron back and forth — that can smear the ink.
6. Let the fabric cool completely before moving it.

For extra durability, apply fabric sealant spray (like Aleene’s Fabric Sealant) after heat-setting — this adds a protective layer.

Step 6: Cut Out Your Clipart Shapes

Once your fabric is printed and heat-set, you can cut it into any shape — circles, tags, flowers, or full-page backgrounds.

• Use sharp scissors for small, intricate shapes (like a butterfly wing).
• For clean straight lines, use a rotary cutter and cutting mat.
• If you’re cutting circles, use a circle cutter or trace a template with a fabric marker.

What Can You Do with Printed Fabric Clipart?

• Fabric tags for quilts or handmade gifts.
• Stitched embellishments for scrapbook pages — sew around the edge for a handcrafted look.
• Fabric-covered buttons or brads for planner decorations.
• Mini bunting or flags for junk journal pockets.

Step 7: Care for Your Printed Fabric Projects

If your printed fabric will be washed (like on a tote bag), follow these rules to keep colors bright:

• Wait 24 hours after printing before washing — this lets the ink fully cure.
• Machine wash cold on a gentle cycle, inside out.
• Air dry — the dryer’s heat can cause fading or cracking.
• Iron on the reverse side if needed, or use a pressing cloth.

For scrapbook pages or journal spreads that won’t be washed, just avoid direct sunlight exposure to prevent fading.

Why Print on Fabric Instead of Paper?

You might be wondering why you’d go through the trouble of fabric printing when paper is so easy. Fabric adds texture and tactile interest to your scrapbooking or junk journal — it feels soft, it can be stitched, and it doesn’t tear like paper. Plus, fabric prints are durable — they won’t rip or crinkle easily. If you’re making a fabric-covered journal cover or a quilt label, printing directly on fabric is faster than fusing fabric to paper.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a regular inkjet printer for fabric printing?

Yes, any standard inkjet printer works with pre-coated printable fabric sheets. Laser printers are not recommended because the heat can melt the coating.

Do I need to mirror the image when printing on fabric?

Only if your clipart has text or directional elements. For pure images, mirroring is optional — but it doesn’t hurt to mirror anyway if you’re unsure.

How do I prevent ink from bleeding on fabric?

Use fabric sheets with a coating, set your printer to “Normal” quality (not too high), and let the ink dry completely before touching it. Also, avoid over-saturating with too much ink.

Can I wash printed fabric without it fading?

Yes, if you heat-set properly (iron medium-high for 3–5 minutes), wait 24 hours, and wash cold on gentle. Air drying is best.

What clipart format is best for fabric printing?

PNG with transparent background is ideal for single elements, but JPEG works for full-page designs. Always use 300 DPI for sharpness.

Get More Clipart for Your Fabric Projects

If you’re running low on scrapbooking clipart ideas, check out Creative Fabrica’s clipart collection for thousands of designs — from vintage florals to whimsical animals — all ready to print on fabric. And for more inspiration on using clipart in journals, see our guide on 5 Ways to Adjust Clipart Size for Junk Journal Templates .

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a regular inkjet printer for fabric printing?

Yes, any standard inkjet printer works with pre-coated printable fabric sheets. Laser printers are not recommended because the heat can melt the coating.

Do I need to mirror the image when printing on fabric?

Only if your clipart has text or directional elements. For pure images, mirroring is optional — but it doesn’t hurt to mirror anyway if you’re unsure.

How do I prevent ink from bleeding on fabric?

Use fabric sheets with a coating, set your printer to “Normal” quality (not too high), and let the ink dry completely before touching it. Also, avoid over-saturating with too much ink.

Can I wash printed fabric without it fading?

Yes, if you heat-set properly (iron medium-high for 3–5 minutes), wait 24 hours, and wash cold on gentle. Air drying is best.

What clipart format is best for fabric printing?

PNG with transparent background is ideal for single elements, but JPEG works for full-page designs. Always use 300 DPI for sharpness.