All about custom printed fabric: how to design, where to order, and using it to build a business

My experience with custom fabric printing, or on-demand fabric printing, and an honest review of Spoonflower, My Fabric Designs, and the other companies I've used. I made this video because I want people to learn more about fabric printing, and some of the possibilities, but also some of the pitfalls and downsides to be aware of. It's not a perfect science, and anyone who's interested should experiment to decide for themselves if fabric printing will work for their style of art and sewing.
This was a difficult video to make, from a technical standpoint. I needed and wanted to talk about my Etsy business, but I don't want to promote it specifically. So I didn't share any of the fabric or designs that I've ever sold in it. I can't describe how much I want to get away from Etsy, as a company. But also, I don't consider the art and sewing I've done for Etsy to be particularly creative. I only designed fabric and made items that I knew would sell, following niche trends and popularity, and I'm bored with it. It's just not been creatively fulfilling as a career. That is why I've opened a new Spoonflower shop, and the designs I sell will be passion-driven projects connected to videos I make, which currently lean to historical inspirations, but we will see where it takes me in the future 😊
BTW, this video is not sponsored by any of the companies mentioned.

0:00 But Mom...
0:07 Storytime
3:33 How Fabric Printing Works
7:37 Fabric Printing Companies
10:22 Spoonflower vs. My Fabric Designs
17:36 Should You Buy Custom Printed Fabric?
19:48 Fabric Printing Q&A

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TAGS
how to use spoonflower, how to start on etsy, successful etsy business, small creative business, custom fabric printing, on demand fabric printing, how to design fabric, make a repeating pattern, create custom fabric, company review, spoonflower review, starting a small business, gig economy, skip college debt, fabric printing review, how much does custom fabric cost, spoonflower fabric quality, custom quilting cotton, diy custom fabric, self-sufficiency, monetize your art

[MariahPattie]

Regarding the dress I'm wearing: It's an old 2018 project. Printed, but inspired by 18th C Grecian embroidered petticoats blended with a Kate Middleton dress. I never made a video because I didn't like the fit, but it's a project I'd like to redo this summer. On request, I published the original print to my Spoonflower shop, but it is one-size. If I redo the project and come up with a fit I'm happy with, I'll upload it with a proper range of sizes.

[MrsBifflechips]

PSA on creating seamless repeating patterns, the free, open source painting program Krita has a Wrap-Around mode that repeats the canvas on the screen and wraps your brush strokes automatically.

[anaisabelsantos]

I love your dress, it reminds me of portuguese traditional tiles. I'm not comparing you with a train station or a church but I can imagine your dress on a wall.

[rtrfreight]

“Time is never wasted on a failure; you only learn from it, but it doesn’t make it hurt less.” Oh I felt that.

[skaterbakes]

OMG that chick(???) on your shoulder made me gasp out loud. SO CUTE

[roxywillemse]

For the question asking if you could print onto fabrics at home: lino block printing with fabric paint is really fun to do, but be aware that the results will definitely have a 'rustic' feel. You carve the tiles of your design into lino, spread paint over it, and stamp it onto your fabric. I use this method for custom printing paper for gift wrapping

[lyreparadox]

If you're looking for (even more) money-makers to work on, an online course on fabric design and/or pattern drafting would be amazeballs! Also, *limited space Sew-Alongs* - where folks pay a small fee to work on the same project you're doing and you all sew together would probably synergize really well with your channel. (Maybe do a test-run with that lovely dress you're wearing?)

[charlijorkenson]

I love that when you were googling print on demand fabric companies it was the day Google celebrated the anniversary of the Gutenberg printing press - Gutenberg did books but it’s printing nonetheless!

[DamePerdita]

That dress is a fantastic Replikate-esque design!
You are so skilful are translating designs into your own framework.

[ellamarieeway]

So fun fact! If you have an inkjet printer you can print to woven fabrics that will fit through your printer (most home printers won't go above legal size) by ironing the fabric to freezer paper and cutting out exactly the size that will feed through your printer. You then iron it and I usually soak my fabrics in color fast dye solution, but it's a really nice way to make small scale custom printed fabrics

[robintheparttimesewer]

Wow I had no idea any of this was out there. Your channel is the only one I have found that mentions custom fabric without embroidery.

[susanlein]

a) I loved getting to hear more about your life, I find you very interesting and unique and this video answered some of the mysteries surrounding you! b) I am super jazzed about you publishing more and getting to do projects together! You have brought so much joy and creativity and plans to my heart!

[lihndanpeioils]

omg..the youngest content creator with tons of information. I'm subscribed and will watch all the rest. Great job and thank you.

[jag]

You are one of the most well prepared - get to the point - YouTuber.
Thank you for being fast and without pauses.
I enjoyed watching you for the first time and have subscribed.

[IJUSTNEEDASTUPIDUSERNAME]

I would buy the fabric for the dress you are wearing in a heartbeat (I need a smaller size though). It’s gorgeous

[janeteholmes]

Now I want to design my own dress print like the one you’re wearing. But I’m not an artist and have never done anything like this. Aaarrghghghg, You Tube has more hobbies than anyone can ever hope to do!

[LeoFieTv]

Shoutout to everyone who just randomly hyper-focuses on a particular dress of a particular character in a 2D game and randomly decides to learn GIMP in an evening to get that geometric cube pattern right and then remembers that Mariah had a video about costum fabric printing and Spoonflower has a facility in Germany, it really is meant to be.
Just me? Can't be just me!
Anyway, thanks Mariah, that was very informative. Imma go make a Laura Vanderboom from Rusty Lake cosplay thingy now.

[BarbaraFischer]

That's so cool about MFD's customer service and small team! I've had a few conversations with Spoonflower customer service, and have been very impressed!

[sarahbrooklynstudios]

Thanks for answering my question! You’re my favorite YouTuber. Love your sewing, capsule wardrobe, and world building content.

[paulaneary]

Your fabric designs are just gorgeous! Thank you for this most informative and helpful video. I am just getting started in this and this helped a lot!