As requested ;) I finished a coat of paint in the basement, so I thought I'd take a break and show this. I hope the steps are clear, even though some of the pictures are not.

Here goes!

Supplies needed:

* Iron
* Ribbon (the ones shown here are 100% polyester)
* Scissors
* Cloth for ironing
* Transfer Paper (different types are available, so follow instructions given by the manufacturer. These ones pictured below are the brand I used.)

http://www.anayoga.com/Sew-N-Show/labelmaking1.jpg

http://www.anayoga.com/Sew-N-Show/labelmaking2.jpg

(more to come)

This is what the transfer paper looks like. It's hard to tell which side is which, and most brands have a line or marking on the back so you know which way to place it in the printer.

http://www.anayoga.com/Sew-N-Show/labelmaking2b.jpg

Use Word or whatever program is on your computer to print up a page of the labels needed (I like to do a page or more at a time, so I don't waste the transfer paper).

http://www.anayoga.com/Sew-N-Show/labelmaking3.jpg

Notice that it is printed "backwards"... IMPORTANT! ;)

http://www.anayoga.com/Sew-N-Show/labelmaking4.jpg

Cut out what will be printed on your label from the transfer paper.

http://www.anayoga.com/Sew-N-Show/labelmaking5.jpg

Place it face down (printed side down) on the ribbon.

http://www.anayoga.com/Sew-N-Show/labelmaking6.jpg

Place a cloth on top of that, so that the heat from the iron doesn't melt the ribbon (not as important for cotton labels).

http://www.anayoga.com/Sew-N-Show/labelmaking7.jpg

I placed my iron on a high setting, no steam (read the instructions though, for your given brand of transfer paper).

http://www.anayoga.com/Sew-N-Show/labelmaking8.jpg

Let cool... tick tock...

http://www.anayoga.com/Sew-N-Show/labelmaking9.jpg

When completely cooled, carefully peel away the backing from the transfer.

http://www.anayoga.com/Sew-N-Show/labelmaking10.jpg

(almost there!)

I like to cut the label on an angle to keep it from unravelling. You could always burn it, or use fray-check or fray-stop (whichever it's called).

http://www.anayoga.com/Sew-N-Show/labelmaking12.jpg

And that's pretty much it! I fold under each end when I go to sew it into a garment or bag. I also have a roll made up at a time, so I can just pull one off the roll and it is ready to go :)

http://www.anayoga.com/Sew-N-Show/labelmakingroll.jpg

That's all! Gotta go, DH is bugging me to go help him finish painting.

:smooch: Thank you for posting.

Originally posted by AnaYoga
Notice that it is printed "backwards"... IMPORTANT! ;)

Ok, that is my problem. I'm all set but I can't figure out how to make them backwards in Word. Any ideas?

Ok, that is my problem. I'm all set but I can't figure out how to make them backwards in Word. Any ideas?

Yep! That was my next question...lol

Originally posted by BonaDea
:smooch: Thank you for posting.



Ok, that is my problem. I'm all set but I can't figure out how to make them backwards in Word. Any ideas?

I would think that if you typed the text in backwards once and then c&p-ed it over and over, you'd be in business.

btw -- great idea ana :thumbsup:

As someone who's eperimented quite a bit with different transfer papers/inks/combinations of both, I have to warn you though, that just how well the labels will hold up will vary, depending on what ink you use and what brand of paper. You can get anything from extremely durable transfer that will withstand any kind of washing torture (including undiluted bleach) to a transfer that will crack or the ink will bleed after the 1st gentle wash cycle in cold water.

That's the reason the iron-ons haven't become as popular as one might expect, given their availability in any office supplies' store. And that's why many people still use iron-ons commercially, knowing the "magic" formula to get a durable transfer ;)

do it in photoshop or paint shop pro...

Oh, as to the printing "backwards": check the printer's "advanced" settings (or "preferences", "options" etc depending on printer driver/windows version you are using). Look for option to "mirror" image - that's what you need. Then just type the text normally in word or whatever program, and make sure you check the mirroring option when sending the page to the printer.

ftr, I don't claim that it will last forever. I've been doing it for a while now, they have gone through washes and come out just fine. Of course it depends on the brand, the fabric, the heat setting, etc etc. I was only posting how to do this because someone had asked. And it's a relatively inexpensive alternative for someone who can't afford personalized labels otherwise. NameLabels.com has labels that go through the wash great (printed in permanent ink) and they are cheaper than most out there...but still, they are very "industrial" looking. I think this is a slightly more elegant option. :)

And as for getting the text backwards, I do the following (I have Word) ~

I use WordArt, type my label using whatever font/size. Then use "Draw" (from the drawing toolbar) and click on "Flip Horizontal". I then cut and paste that to make a page full, leaving a little space in between to allow for cutting.

HTH,
Ana

I am the one who asked, and thank you so much! I have been wodering how to label my dipes and thanks to you i can do it now!

Ana, please don't take my post as some sort of attack - I just want to warn others that the results sometimes do not come out as expected, and one should do extensive wash-testing at home before putting labels made this way on items for sale.

--Renata

You can also print on ribbon directly, I found a link here:
Printing directly on ribbon (http://www.onescrappysite.com/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=75)
But I have no clue if it would withstand anything. Worth a try though I suppose. Thanks everyone! I appreciate any sort of help, and Renata if you ever decide to do small runs of labels like those you made for me let us know ;)

Originally posted by Nutmeg
and Renata if you ever decide to do small runs of labels like those you made for me let us know ;)

If I ever feel like playing around trying to find an easier/less messy way of aligning them on a sheet under the heat press, I will definitely let you know ;)

Are they still holding up?

I checked the link about printing directly on ribbon - it could work fine for scrapbooking, but will wash off right away in the water.

Ana, please don't take my post as some sort of attack - I just want to warn others that the results sometimes do not come out as expected, and one should do extensive wash-testing at home before putting labels made this way on items for sale.

Oh absolutely! I agree with you, I didn't mean it to come across as otherwise. I didn't take it as an attack, I was just trying to clarify. :thumbsup:

D'oh I forgot this was here. I use that same process, printed onto woven, then used the woven for the tags. I figured it wouldn't pull like knit would, but you could fool around with other things too.

You could incorporate fun clip art into your design too -- I used a fun font for my 'in house' label. This will be really fun for putting my own custom labels on Christmas gifts too :D

I cut them out using pinking shears, and put fray check on so it wouldn't fray. You could stitch and not use fray check, so it frays, it might be cute.

I also tried serging around it to finish off the edges but it didn't look very nice.

I tried some on grosgrain ribbon and it worked fine but I have not washed it yet.

This is with the pinking shears, I put it on some white clothes but it didn't show up well to post so I sewed it on some fleece:

http://www.cookiepants.com/images/P4300023.JPG

I also just cut one out and ironed it directly on the dress:
http://www.cookiepants.com/images/P4300021c.JPG

I am still anxiously awaiting labels from ME Dezines, and I'm going to pick up some satin ribbon in the next few days. But this was great for what I'm doing right now.