How to Print Applique Patterns on Fusible Web
This Big Time-Saver Works Great with Ink Jet Printers!
One of the drawbacks of fusible applique is having to trace all the shapes onto fusible web. That can take awhile and tends to put a damper on the excitement of starting a new project.
Fortunately, there’s an easy solution that will save a lot of time. Print the shapes on fusible web using an inkjet printer (NOT a laser printer – the heat will cause the web to melt and ruin the printer).
It’s a simple process that involves preparing fusible web for printing (it’s just like printing a photo, only on fusible web). You may also need to convert the pattern shapes into a digital file. If you have a downloaded PDF pattern you can print right from that – no conversion needed.
If you have a paper pattern, you’ll need to scan the shapes into a digital file. Or, if your inkjet printer is also a copier, just lay the paper pattern on the copy plate and print from that.
Fusible web will print nicely once it’s affixed to sturdy paper, like cardstock. You’ll find it at office supply stores, craft stores, or in the office supply section of big box stores. It’s also available on Amazon here.
Do that by tacking it to the cardstock with the tip of the iron in a few spots that are not within the shapes you want to applique.
When you’re ready to print, it’s important to do a test print first on a sheet of paper. You want to determine how to load your prepared sheet of fusible web in the printer so it prints on the fusible web and not the cardstock.
Katie from Katie’s Quilting Corner has written an excellent tutorial.
If your printer doesn’t handle cardstock well, or you want to skip the prep work, Heat and Bond EZ-Print Lite is a fusible web designed specifically for printing on an inkjet printer. Just determine how to feed it through your printer so it prints on the correct side. Learn more about this product here at Quilt Social.
Get Heat and Bond EZ-Print Lite here.
Photo from Quilt Social.
Thanks you so much for this. Could have used this yesterday. I love to add a little something at the bottom of a patchwork to personize and yesterday it was a Christmas quilt. I made a 2″ x 4″ dog opening a pkg. silhouette applique for the bottom corner. This would have made it much easier. Thanks!