If you love to print on fabric as much as I do, it’s easy to get confused by the various products that are available for this purpose, and the two products I get asked about most frequently are Bubble Jetset 2000 and Digital Grounds.
The most common question .. Is one product better than the other?
The short answer .. No, because Bubble Jetset 2000 and Digital Grounds are two totally different products used for two totally different reasons.
- Bubble Jetset 2000 is used to make your inkjet prints permanent and washable. The images are water resistant and waterproof.
- Digital Grounds is used to prepare the surface of your fabric (or any other flat surface) so that you can print on it using an inkjet printer. It enhances the color and detail of the printed image. The image needs to be sealed in some way in order to become water resistant and/or waterproof.
The only things they have in common are that both products can be used with fabric for the purpose of printing images onto fabric using your inkjet printer; this is where the similarity ends.
To expand a little …
Bubble Jetset 2000
What it is
Bubble Jetset is a liquid solution that looks like water.
What it does
Bubble Jetset 2000 allows you to prepare fabric (100% cotton or 100% silk only) so that you can print images on fabric using your inkjet printer.
Are the images waterproof?
Yes, the printed images are permanent and washable.
How to use it
You use Bubble Jetset by soaking your fabric in the solution for 5 minutes, allow the fabric to dry, then iron it. Your fabric is now ready to print on although you will need to first secure it to a carrier sheet. Allow the print to dry for 30 minutes and then rinse the fabric in a mild detergent such as Bubble Jetset Rinse.
Where to get it
Bubble Jetset can sometimes be found in your local quilt or sewing store. You can also purchase online from various sources including the manufacturer C Jenkins Co.
More information
Additional information can be found on the manufacturer’s website – C Jenkins Co.
Digital Grounds
What it is
Digital grounds is a liquid solution that you paint onto the surface of fabric (or other types of flat surfaces) using a paint brush. It comes in three liquid types categorized for use on porous surfaces, non-porous surfaces, and a quick-dry solution for a multitude of surfaces. It is similar to Inkaid.
What it does
Digital Grounds prepares just about any relatively flat surface (including fabric) into an ink-jet printable surface. It enhances the color and detail of your inkjet print.
How to use it
You paint digital grounds on to the surface of your fabric (or other type of substrate) using a paint brush, allow it to dry, then attach the substrate to a printer carrier before printing your image.
Are the images waterproof?
No. The printed image then needs to be sealed in some way to prevent dirt and water damage.
Where to get it
Digital grounds is not available in stores (to the best of my knowledge) but you can get it online and I recommend DickBlick.com.
More information
A lot of information about using digital grounds to print on fabric can be found on my website here. Additional information can be found on the manufacturer’s website – Golden Products.
Still got questions? Use the comment box below.
7 Thoughtful Comments. Add Yours
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I am going to try to test out the Digital Grounds (waiting for it to arrive). I will be testing out with organza and silk fabrics. I noticed you mentioned to seal the fabric after using digital grounds and printing. I have no clue what type of sealer to use…any suggestions? Thanks so much. Great info you give!
Hi Janine, there are paint-on sealers provided in the digital grounds sample pack or you could also use a spray sealer and I discuss this in part here:
http://www.linda-matthews.com/printing-on-fabric-101-printer-inks/
I also discuss sealers in more depth on my dvd
http://www.linda-matthews.com/store/instructional-dvds/exploring-digital-grounds-on-fabric
I hope this information helps.
Linda
Thank you so much for the help!! Cant wait to try this!
Thank you Linda for this very helpful information. I have the Bubble Jet 2000 on hand and will be trying it soon. I just ordered an Epson Workforce 1100 which uses the durabrite inks….is it true that I don’t need to use the Bubble Jet when using their ink?
I will also be ordering an ink refill system for it that a friend uses and recommends…the Bubble Jet will come in handy then.
Hi Gloria, I generally don’t use bubble jetset when printing with durabrite inks, but I also tend to use the same types of fabrics when printing so my results are always consistent. I suggest you first print a sample with and without bjs, and then wash and compare. It’s always best to test first.
Linda
I’m a newbie to all this and have not tried either yet.
I’m wondering if bubblejet and digital grounds can be used together on the same piece of fabric? … i.e. would using digital grounds enhance the image? Would bubblejet make the digital grounds image “fix” to the fabric?
Bron
No, it doesn’t work this way sorry. They are two separate products that can’t be combined.