Printing on Fabric: Common Problems and How to Solve Them

If your prints on fabric aren’t quite right — curling, bleeding, wrinkling, or ghosting — you’re not alone. Here’s how to troubleshoot the most common issues and ensure your textile prints come out sharp, vibrant, and production-ready.

Commonly Used Fabric Substrates in Digital Print

• Polyester textiles – for dye-sub, UV, and latex printing

• Stretch fabrics – for SEG frames and pop-up displays

• Canvas and cotton blends – for décor and art reproductions

• Non-woven polyester – for backdrops and wallcoverings

• Mesh fabrics – for outdoor signage or flags

Each fabric type behaves differently depending on ink type, tension, and curing method.

1. Ink Bleed or Blurry Edges

What it looks like: Edges of text or graphics feather or blur, especially on fine detail.

Causes:

• Ink is over-saturating porous fabric

• Incorrect media profile or dot gain settings

• No pre-treatment or incorrect fabric coating

Solutions:

• Reduce ink limits in your RIP software

• Use a media profile designed for your exact fabric

• Switch to pre-coated or pre-treated textile for better ink control

• Test different passes or resolution settings

2. Head Strikes or Fabric Lifting During Print

What it looks like: Ink smears, fabric touches the print head, or print stops with a carriage error.

Causes:

• Fabric isn’t properly tensioned or fed

• Static buildup lifting the material

• Humidity too low, causing lightweight fabrics to shift

Solutions:

• Use fabric-specific take-up and feed rollers

• Apply pre-tension to eliminate slack or waves

• Increase humidity to 45–55% in the print room

• Use anti-static bars or brushes on feed path

3. Curling Edges or Wrinkling

What it looks like: Fabric curls inward at the edges, making loading or finishing difficult.

Causes:

• Uneven heat exposure (in latex or UV systems)

• Fabric stored in poor conditions

• Low-quality or overly thin fabric base

Solutions:

• Store fabric in a climate-controlled room for 24 hours pre-print

• Use pre-flattened or coated textiles designed for wide-format systems

• Switch to tension frames to minimize curl in application

4. Color Inconsistency or Dull Finish

What it looks like: Colors look faded or don’t match proofing expectations.

Causes:

• Ink not bonding properly to fabric

• Substrate isn't optimized for the ink set (e.g. UV on cotton)

• Poor curing or over-saturation

Solutions:

• Choose a fabric certified for your ink type (latex, UV, dye-sub)

• Adjust curing/drying settings — more time or lower heat may help

• Use a calibrated ICC profile based on fabric and ink combination

5. Fraying Edges After Cutting

What it looks like: Threads unravel or edge begins to pull during finishing or install.

Causes:

• Woven fabric not properly sealed

• Dull blades or cutting at wrong speed

• No hemming or heat sealing in post-processing

Solutions:

• Use hot-knife or ultrasonic cutters to seal edges

• Add bleed and edge finish in design stage

• Hem or tape edges for added durability

Pro Tips for Printing on Fabric

• Always store fabric rolled, not folded

• Let printed fabric rest post-print before finishing (especially dye-sub)

• Don’t skip test swatches — even subtle fabric changes affect print behavior

• Use tools like Substrate Bank to verify fabric compatibility by ink system and finishing need

Conclusion: Fabric Printing Is Flexible — But Demands Precision

Textiles open up endless possibilities in digital print — but they come with unique production challenges. From ink control and feed tension to post-print finishing, success lies in the details and preparation.

By understanding your fabric, ink, and finishing workflow, you’ll eliminate waste, reduce frustration, and deliver professional results every time.

Because in soft signage, banners, and décor — the material may be flexible, but your print process needs to be rock solid.