How to ...
Print Using Stampstitch

Stampstitch is a method of cross-stitch where the actual stitches are printed onto fabric such as linen. The stitcher then sews over the printed stitches. You can print in black & white or colour and you can also choose the size and thickness of the crosses to be printed.

There are several methods you can use to produce the design on your fabric. The first method prints directly onto the fabric and the other methods use transfer paper.

Method 1
Printing Directly on the Material
You can print directly onto material using some ink jet printers. If in doubt about your printer you should check with the printer manufacturer. If your printer is unsuitable for this method or you want to use fabric that is larger than your printer can accept, then you should use method 2 or 3 as described further on.

Getting material ready:
1. Select a fabric with fairly fine weave such as linen. It is best if you do not use aida or similar even weave fabric since the printed stampstitch will not line up with the weave of the fabric.
2. Cut your material to the size that will fit through your printer (e.g. A4).
3. Ensure your material is flat and has no creases in it. If necessary press or iron it.
4. Apply an adhesive backing such as Celcast's Sticky Fabric Carrier Sheet, which helps feed the material through the printer without the material getting caught or curling up. Follow instructions on the product. (If the fabric is fairly rigid you may be able to feed it directly into your printer without a backing).
5. It is recommended that you set your printer on the Envelope Printing setting, if your printer has that option, to allow for the extra thickness of the material.
6. Place the fabric in the paper feed tray. Ensure that it is the correct way up so that the ink will print on the fabric and not the backing sheet.

Printing your design:
7. Click on the Print menu then select Print Stampstitch. The Print Chart dialogue box opens.
8. In the Printer box you can select the target printer or use the Setup button to change the paper size or orientation. Click OK.
9. The Stampstitch Options dialogue box opens.
10. You may either select the Default option which gives you an external frame around each cross plus other default sizes and thickness OR you may select the Custom option which allows you to choose the Style of cross, size and thickness of the cross and frame.
11. Once you have chosen the style you'd like to print out, select OK to print.
12. Make sure the fabric feeds through the printer correctly.

Method 2
Printing onto Transfer Paper
If you are unable to print directly on material with your printer or you want to use fabric that is larger than your printer can accept then you can use method 2 or method 3.

Selecting a transfer paper for a Laser Printer:
If you are using a laser printer make sure that the paper is a laser compatible transfer paper AND that it is suitable for your model of laser printer. If you are in doubt, check with your printer manufacturer. Using an inappropriate transfer paper in a laser printer can lead to damage to the drum or heat rollers.

There are several types of transfer paper available for laser printers. Ensure that the one you select is suitable to be transferred using an iron. Some transfer papers require a commercial heat press, which you probably don't have.

Selecting a transfer paper for an Inkjet Printer:
If you are using an inkjet printer you will need a paper made for inkjet printers. Using an incorrect type of paper is unlikely to cause any damage to an inkjet printer, but it will give poor results.

There are several types of transfer paper available. Ensure that the one you select is suitable to be transferred using an iron. Some transfer papers require a commercial heat press, which you probably don't have. One suitable product is the Celcast's Inkjet T-shirt Transfers. Use Celcast's T-shirt Transfers - white for use on light coloured material, and the Celcast's T-shirt Transfers - black / coloured for use on dark coloured fabric. (The Celcast' T-shirt Transfers - black / coloured has a white backing built in so that your stampstitch design colours will show up on the dark material).

Preparing your design:
Transfer paper will create a mirror image on the fabric. Therefore the first step is to flip the original design before you print it. This will ensure that the image when transferred to the fabric will be correct.
1. From the StitchCraft Edit menu select Flip, then Flip Horizontal.
2. Place the transfer paper in the paper feed tray. Ensure that it is the correct way up so that the ink will print on the transfer surface and not the backing paper.

Printing your design:
3. Click on the Print menu then select Print Stampstitch. The Print Chart dialogue box opens.
4. In the Printer box you can select the target printer or use the Setup button to change the paper size or orientation. Click OK.
5. The Stampstitch Options dialogue box opens.
6. You may either select the Default option which gives you an external frame around each cross plus other default sizes and thickness OR you may select the Custom option which allows you to choose the Style of cross, size and thickness of the cross and frame.
7. Once you have chosen the style you'd like to print out, select OK to print.
8. Make sure the transfer paper feeds through the printer correctly.

Transferring your design:
9. If using an inkjet printer, let the image dry for 30 minutes before attempting to transfer to your material.
10. Some transfer papers leave a thin plastic skin on the fabric. So cut carefully around the printed design. This will ensure that any plastic skin will be covered by thread when sewn.
11. Remove water from iron and set to highest temperature.
12. Place material onto hard flat surface, which has been covered by a pillowcase. Do not use an ironing board - it is too soft.
13. Iron the fabric first to make sure it is totally dry.
14. Position the transfer paper with image face down on the material.
15. If your design was too large for a single page it will have been printed over two or more pages. One way to join several pages is to pin them to your fabric before you iron them.
16. Iron over the transfer for 30 seconds or more, paying attention to the edges. Press down firmly. Make sure the edges adhere.
17. Carefully pick up an edge of the backing paper and evenly peel it off. If the transfer lifts reposition the backing sheet and iron over again for a few more seconds. It should peel off cleanly.

Note: Some brands of transfer paper will work better with a heat press. If you do have access to a heat press, please read and follow the instructions on the transfer paper.

Method 3
Photocopying onto Transfer Paper
Many colour photocopy centres will print onto transfer paper for use on T-shirts. The same process can be used to transfer a design to most fabrics for cross-stitch. Find a copy centre near you that offers this service. They may also have stock of appropriate transfer paper.

Preparing your design:
If the colour photocopy centre is able to create a mirror image on their copier then you can skip steps 1 & 2. Otherwise the transfer paper will create a mirror image on the fabric, so the first step is to flip the original design before you print it.
1. From the StitchCraft Edit menu select Flip, then Flip Horizontal.
2. Load the paper you normally use to print in colour, into your printer.

Printing your design:
3. Click on the Print menu then select Print Stampstitch. The Print Chart dialogue box opens.
4. In the Printer box you can select the target printer or use the Setup button to change the paper size or orientation. Click OK.
5. The Stampstitch Options dialogue box opens.
6. You may either select the Default option which gives you an external frame around each cross plus other default sizes and thickness OR you may select the Custom option which allows you to choose the Style of cross, size and thickness of the cross and frame.
7. Once you have chosen the style you'd like to print out, select OK to print.

Photocopy your design:
8. Take your print outs to the colour photocopy centre.
9. Ask them to photocopy onto heat transfer paper.
10. Make sure that they set the copier to make a mirror image, unless you have already flipped the design using steps 1 & 2 above.

Transferring your design:
11. Some transfer papers leave a thin plastic skin on the fabric. So cut carefully around the printed design. This will ensure that any plastic skin will be covered by thread when sewn.
12. If the Colour Copy Centre has a heat press they can use it to transfer the design to your fabric. If they do not have a heat press, follow the ironing instructions below.

Ironing on your design:
13. Remove water from iron and set to highest temperature.
14. Place material onto hard flat surface, which has been covered by a pillowcase. Do not use an ironing board - it is too soft.
15. Iron the fabric to make sure it is totally dry.
16. Position transfer paper with image face down on the material.
17. If your design was too large for a single page it will have been printed over two or more pages. One way to join several pages is to pin them to your fabric before you iron them.
18. Iron over the transfer for 30 seconds or more, paying attention to the edges. Press down firmly. Make sure the edges adhere.
19. Carefully pick up an edge of the backing paper and evenly peel it off. If the transfer lifts reposition the backing sheet and iron over again for a few more seconds. It should peel off cleanly.