Buzzings from a quilter who bumbles her way through life!

Monday, February 6, 2012

Making Ribbon Labels - Tutorial


Have you ever wanted a label to give your quilts or other handwork that little punch of "professionalism"? Maybe you just want an easier way to label simple quilts or to send a message to the recipient. This method is not my idea. I've seen it several places before. I have used it now for a couple of years and although it isn't perfect, it works really well and costs a lot less than having labels made. 
 Print out columns of what you want your label to say. You will be cutting them out, so you don't really need much spacing between them. Be sure you don't print them too large to fit on your ribbon. You will want to test this on plain paper.
 You will need fabric transfer paper for inkjet printers. Be sure to read the label. Some are made for copiers! READ THE INSTRUCTIONS! Mine said to print mirror image.Since I use Word, which does not have a mirror image option, I set my printer to print mirror image. On my Cannon Pixma printer, this option is called "T-Shirt Transfer" in the "media" section of printer options. (There may be other ways to set your printer to print in mirror image. You probably know a lot more about that than I do!!!)
Be sure you put your paper in facing the correct side. That will probably vary with your printer, but be sure you will be printing on the correct side of the transfer sheet.
Cut out what you want on your ribbon. I do this one at a time so I don't lose any!
Place the wording down on the ribbon, making sure it is not upside down. When straight and in the correct position, press with a hot iron for about 20 to 30 seconds. Check carefully by pulling back just a little to see if it has transferred. If part of the letters are not sticking, put it back down and continue to press.
Peel off the paper and you should have a nice label. This will wear off with frequent washing and handling, just as it does on a t-shirt, so you may want to do this next step to make it more permanent.
                    Brush on some gel medium and let it dry.
You should decide beforehand how you will want to sew your labels in. You can go across the corner, sewing the ends of the ribbon into the binding (you need to leave your ribbon flat, but leave enough ribbon at each end to sew it at an angle)...or.....
 ...you can make your ribbon a loop that you sew into the side of a label or your quilt binding...... or....
 
...you can sew your label lengthwise into the binding. If you do this, you will want to make a ribbon loop, turn it inside out and sew across the raw edges, then turn it right side out again and press.

I found the hardest part of this entire process was in figuring out how to get a mirror image, so once you do that the rest is easy!
Have fun!!!
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24 comments:

  1. I will definitely have to try this. Thank you so much!

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  2. Thank you for the tutorial, this is a must.

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  3. I tried these once and was NOT satisfied with the shiny finish left on the ribbon...will the gel take this off??

    THanks,
    Kathy

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  4. What a GrEaT tip... ThaNks ! Will use it for sure! :)

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  5. This is really handy - thanks for the tutorial - lots of good information!

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  6. Oh you are a true treasure. I have had my label design set up in word forever and I couldn't for the life of me figure out how to mirror the words. But thanks to you I now can. So easy just set the printer setting to T-shirt transfer. Gosh I'm feeling slightly dumb...

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  7. Thanks so much for the tutorial. I'll definitely be trying this out.

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  8. I am glad to read that you use this method. I have been looking at it myself and was not sure it would really work. I may have some trouble with the mirror image, but I am going to give it a try. Thanks

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  9. Interesting - does the gel medium cause any bleeding??

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  10. Great tutorial - really motivating. I've bought the transfer paper, but that's as far as I've gotten!! What are you using for ribbon? Just a satin finish ribbon?

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  11. This is a great method! You have the best tutorials Linda!

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  12. Brilliant! Thanks for that, I have had to Pin it on Pinterest!

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  13. thankyou Linda,thats a great idea.xx

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  14. What a wonderful idea! Never thought of using a Gel medium before, I curious like others, is it still shiny?

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  15. Because a few have you have asked about whether or not the transfer is still shiny after using the gel, I will comment about it here. The gel medium I have used is matte finish. Because you brush it over the entire surface of your ribbon, the transfer is not as obvious as it might be without the medium over it. Your ribbon or twill tape also makes a difference in how pronounced the transfer might be. The gel will give the ribbon a different "feel", but it will make it more durable.

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  16. What a great idea. Haven't had time to read it all...sits open on my computer till the weekend...but wanted to say thanks before I forgot! Hugs!

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  17. What great information! I've wondered how this is done! Thanks so much!

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  18. Out of all the blogs, I've subscribed to, I like yours the best. I have learned so much from you. I definitely want to give this a try!
    Thanks for sharing your wisdom!

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  19. Thanks for this great idea and clear tutorial. I have pinned it.

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  20. So I have a dumb question - what exactly does the gel medium do for the printing? Does it keep it from fading from multiple washes?

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  21. Thanks so much for this tutorial! I have a Canon Pixma, and now know how to print my labels!

    Thanks again. :)

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  22. Just came back to say that I made some great quilt labels using your information. :D

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  23. Thank you so much for this post.

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  24. I think the gel medium coats the printing so it takes a bit more wear and tear. I have also used the t-shirt transfer paper to make up labels - only I applied them directly to the backing (plain fabric) of my quilts. I like the ribbon idea especially for other thing I make - bags, dolls, etc.

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