Hello fabric lovers! Today I am giving you all the details on fabric made with the modern digital printing technique and why I love it more than fabric from the store.
The fabrics that you find in your local craft stores are mass-produced fabrics and primarily made in Asia and India for labor and financial business/manufacturing reasons. The methods used to print the designs are chemical dying processes along with silkscreen-printing or batik-printing methods. These methods are quite labor intensive and the chemicals used are very harsh and use lots of water that is then contaminated. So while these fabrics are less expensive they use more resources, leave a larger carbon footprint, and everyone has the same thing.
What is your other option? Fabric that is digitally printed my friends! There are several big companies in the US and abroad like Spoonflower, Raspberry Creek Fabrics, Fabric on Demand, Sewing Parts Online, and even Etsy.
In an effort to be concise and transparent, each "shop" offers different options, and I am going to speak in generalities. Also, I am a designer with shops on Spoonflower and Raspberry Creek Fabrics so some of my points are specific to those entities.
Read on to see the reasons why these fabrics are so great...
#1 - Personalized Options
First there are a WORLD of options! Most shops offer quite a few different fabric types - quilting cotton, polyester, plush, knit, canvas, velvet, and more. Then you can browse SO MANY designs and patterns. To cut down on overwhelm - I recommend using filters like theme or holiday, color, use, or favorite some designers and shops.
#2 - Supporting Artists
Secondly you are working with an artist or small business, so you can help in the design process, commission a specific design, use personal photos, drawings, and mementos to be printed ON the fabric! They can also change the colors or scale of a design for your needs. And you can feel good that you are supporting families directly with your purchase. You can also choose to shop local or support artisans in specific areas of the world that may be suffering through difficult times and events.
#3 - Environmentally Friendly Process
These fabric designs are printed on the fabric of your choice using a computer and special printing machines. The companies that I am familiar with have certified inks and processes that use very little water and don't give off toxic chemical fumes or cause environmental damage. Also, the manufacturing hubs are strategically located to deliver products in a timely manner with less distance to be traveled so the fuel usage and carbon footprint are reduced.
If you'd like to read more about the Spoonflower process for example, here is a link:
#4 - Thoughtful Consuming
Digitally printed fabric is printed on demand which means there are no stacks of excess yardage filling a warehouse. It also means if you love a fabric and need more - it is there! You can have more of printed when you need it without stressing and having to search online and in your friends' stashes.
Also the printing houses may offer economical ways to print like Spoonflower's "Fill-a-Yard" which allows the consumer to use 1-42 designs to create a one-yard print which could then be cut up or left as is like a cheater patchwork panel.
#5: Quilting/Crafting Bonuses
I saved the best for last! As a quilter, you can create fabric panels that you love and can save time AND also get panels for precut-friendly patterns in more usable sizes like 6-inch, 12-inch, and 18-inch strips or squares (as you can see above). There are also extra wide options like Spoonflower's new Cotton Sateen at 116" for whole cloth quilts, backing, and seamless home decor projects.
There are a few special things to note when working with digitally printed fabric especially in quilting and home decor:
The back of the fabric is white so when you press it your seams won't show as much no matter which direction you press. You are also much less likely to see the front fabrics through the back of the finished product.
The fabric feels great - soft and drapes well, but it has a little more "body" to it -similar to fabric with sizing (if you remember that). I notice less fraying, easier to cut, and keeps its shape better.
These companies love creative endeavors, so they offer project ideas, tutorials, and connections to a community of like-minded folks who use these fabrics on their site!
Special treat you can also get wallpaper, peel & stick paper, and premade items using these designs on several websites!!
So if you can wait a few days to get your fabric and are willing to pay a little extra for a high quality and uniquely designed fabric product, I recommend checking out digitally printed fabrics. It will make your projects stand out even more!
See my collections by clicking below:
(I do consider this an affiliate link since I will earn a small percentage from your purchase. Thank you in advance!)
I'd love to hear about your experiences with digitally printed fabric, so I hope you will share below or tag me on Instagram or Facebook.
Have a great day & be BLESSED my friends!
Tara
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