Fun And Creative Ways To Add Texts To Fabrics

So you’ve finally finished sewing a plain shirt or a tote bag and you want it personalized. You’re probably thinking of adding your initials or your first name on it. Here are fun and creative ways to add texts to fabrics…

Heat Press/ Heat Transfer Papers or Fusible Web

This type of paper is commercially available and it usually comes in the standard letter size that can fit a printer. For commercial uses, there is a specially made heat transfer equipment that they use. However, at home, you can also use your ordinary household iron.

For more information on printing on fabric, please check out this post:

How to Print on Fabric at Home – 4 Different Ways

Pre-cut Iron-on Letters

As the name implies, these can be bought already formed and ready to be ironed on textiles. They come in different designs there are some that are glittered, some are appliqué and embroidered while some look like patches with embroidered edges. They are very easy to use, generally, you will just have to place the letters where you want them printed. Cover the letter with a press cloth then place an iron set to “cotton setting” on top of it for 15 – 20 seconds or depending on the manufacturer’s instructions.

Buttons

You can sew-in buttons to form a letter/ font that you desire. Though this method is more time consuming than the others, it looks more creative and if you love sewing, fun to do. You can also use sequins and beads as an alternative to buttons.

If you're sewing on a lot of buttons, it might be worthwhile to learn how to sew on buttons with a sewing machine:

How to Sew on Buttons with a Sewing Machine

Fabric Marker

If you are good at calligraphy and have a steady hand, then you can use fabric markers. It comes in many colors and will stay on fabric even after washed. Just make sure that you make your fabric steady so it won’t move as write on it.

Puffy Fabric Paints

Another one of the fun ways to add texts to fabrics is puffy textile paints. These paints are easy to apply as they come in tubes with pointed tips. Using them will also be like writing with a pen. What makes them fun is they remain embossed when they dry. These products come in fun vibrant and even neon colors sometimes with glitters even.

Hand Or Machine Embroidery

You can write on the fabric lightly with a pencil first so you will have a guide to follow. With this method, you can select whichever thread color you have available and do the font you fancy (as long as you can write it down).

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