C. FAQ – Application
5. Fabric
Q. Can inkAID be used to precoat fabric for printing?
A. Yes – inkAID™ can be used to precoat fabric for a variety of purposes, including collage, banners, or stretched art. Your best choice is to use inkAID™ White Matte precoat, which is water resistant and can be machine washed. For best results, you should use a pigment-based ink for this application. Don’t use any inkAID™ Clear precoats, as they are water soluble and cannot be washed.
Q. What backing should I use to feed fabric through the printer?
A. A good method is to stretch the fabric on stretcher bars, coat with inkAID™, dry, and trim. Once you’ve done all that, iron it into freezer paper and feed through your printer. Be sure that you’ve adjusted your printer cartridge head clearance to allow the fabric to feed through unobstructed.
Q. What is the best way to print on very thin fabrics, like silk?
A. Always be sure to use a relatively stiff backing, like freezer paper (or any other kind of paper, if the fabric won’t slide around on the surface too much), and perform a test run before committing to a large piece of fabric. Sometimes the pizza wheels on a printer can catch the fabric and gum up the entire operation – so proceed carefully!
Q. Do you know where I can get precoated fabric?
A. inkAID™ offers a precoated Olana Digital Fine Art Fabric – an excellent choice for convenience and quality. Please visit the Products page for more information about the fabric.
Q. How should I store my coated fabric?
A. Roll the fabric (surface facing out) around a 3-inch cardboard tube, then wrap paper around the fabric. Keep the fabric in a cool, dry, dark place until you’re ready to use it.
