HP Smart tank 6001 - if I print directly onto cotton fabric, will the ink be permanent?

[JAN817]

HP Smart tank 6001 - if I print directly onto cotton fabric, will the ink be permanent? I iron cotton fabric onto freezer paper and print on it to make labels / images for quilts. I have always done it on inkjet printers. After I iron to  heat set the fabric/ink and have no problem with it washing out.

I did it with my new HP Smart tank 6001 and all the ink washed out. Any way to make the ink permanent? is there another option of ink to buy? I bought this model as I thought the ink saturation would be great and the images would be bright.  

Thanks  - JD

[Raj_05]

Hi @JAN817,

Welcome to HP Support Community.  

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

it's important to note that the success of printing on fabric and the permanence of the ink can depend on various factors, including the specific ink and printer model.

The HP Smart Tank 6001 likely uses water-based inks, which can be less permanent on fabric compared to other types of inks. To enhance the permanence of the ink on fabric, you might consider the following tips.

• Fabric Treatment: Consider treating the fabric with a fabric medium or pre-treatment solution before printing. This can help the ink adhere better to the fabric.
• Ink Fixatives: After printing, you can use a commercial ink fixative or fabric fixative spray to set the ink. Follow the instructions provided with the fixative for the best results.
• Heat Setting: Heat setting is crucial for making water-based inks more permanent. After printing, use a hot iron to heat set the ink. Place a piece of plain paper over the printed fabric and iron it on a high setting for several minutes. This helps the ink penetrate the fabric fibers and set them more effectively.
• Experiment with Different Fabrics: Different fabrics may respond differently to the same ink and treatment. Consider trying different types of cotton fabrics to see if one works better with your printer and ink.
• Check for Specialty Inks: Some printers offer specialty inks designed for fabric printing. Check with HP suppliers to see if there are alternative inks available for your printer model that are specifically formulated for fabric.

Always check the printer and ink HP recommendations for printing on fabric, as using non-approved materials or methods may void your warranty or cause damage to the printer.

I hope this helps. 
 

Take care and have a good day.

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Alden4
HP Support