Embroidered photos are the next big craft project we can’t get enough of! Inspired by Robert Mahar’s photo embroidery workshop at Craftcation, we’re showing you how to prep your photos for printing on fabric. Whether you want to embroider one large photo or a collection of smaller photos, this DIY project is a family heirloom in the making. The tutorial below will show you how to use Adobe® Photoshop® or the free program Canva to place all of your photos on one file to print on a fat quarter of Linen Cotton Canvas, Robert’s go-to embroidery fabric from Spoonflower.
Printing family photos on fabric is a great way to safely store cherished memories, but when not utilizing his own personal photographs, Robert often turns to institutions like the public library—many of which have digitized large portions of their holdings for public use.
It’s always a good idea to read the fine print when it comes to online photographs—search for imagery that is copyright-free and in the public domain. The New York Public Library has digitized thousands of images that are free to access and Robert uses their Public Domain Collections which contains photographs that can be used without permissions or restrictions.
Similarly, the British Library has released millions of images into the public domain on their Flickr account—making them free to use, remix and repurpose. It may take some digging, but there are gems to be found!
Photo Tips and Tricks from Embroidery Artist Robert Mahar
- I recommend using photographs that are no smaller than 4″ x 6″.
- Crisp, clear photographs work best for printing on fabric.
- Both formal (think school photos or family studio portraits) as well as candid shots work well.
- Consider leaving at least 1” of blank space between photographs when arranging in your design program them rather than butting them against one another. This will give you room to separate the images post-embroidery for display.
- Color or black and white images will work well for this project, but keep in mind that there will be a greater contrast between black and white images and colorful embroidery floss.
Part 1: Digitize Your Family Photos
Before you can dive in and get creative with your fabric photos, you’ll need to digitize your photos if they aren’t already in digital form. You can do this two different ways:
Scan your photos using a flatbed scanner at the highest resolution (300 DPI or higher). If you don’t own a scanner, we recommend visiting your local copy shop. Be sure to save your images as a JPG or PNG.
Take a well-lit, high-quality photo of your photo. Set-up an area in your home where there is good, natural light free of shadows and snap a picture of your photograph. On a nice day, consider taking your photos outside. A DSLR or camera with high resolution works great for taking pictures, but if you only have access to a smart phone, that should also do the trick!
Now that you have your photos digitized, it’s time to set-up your photo canvas for printing on a fat quarter of Linen Cotton Canvas on Spoonflower. While there are a few different ways you can format your photos, today we’ll be highlighting how to do it in Photoshop and Canva.
Part 2: Create a Photo Canvas
Photoshop
- Create a canvas that is 27” x 18” (the size of a Spoonflower Linen Cotton Canvas fat quarter) at 150 dpi.
- To add a photo, Select File > Place Embedded and select the photograph you want to add to your file.
- Once the photo is on your canvas, resize it by selecting Edit > Transform > Scale and adjust the photo as necessary. Double click the image or select Enter on your keyboard once the changes have been made.
- If your photos are on the darker side, you may want to adjust the contrast of the photo to ensure it prints with enough contrast on fabric. To adjust the contrast in your photo, select your image and then Images > Adjustments > Brightness/Contrast.
- Repeat for the remaining photos.
- Once you’ve added all of the photos to your canvas, save your file as a Photoshop file (PSD) so you can edit in the future as necessary.
- Resave the file as a JPG or PNG.
- Login to your Spoonflower account and upload your design.
- Select Linen Cotton Canvas and Fat Quarter in the drop down menu and add to your cart!
Canva
- Login to your Canva account and select the Create a Design button and then choose the Custom Dimensions option. Make sure the dropdown menu is set to pixels (px), enter your canvas dimensions in the box and select Create Design. For a fat quarter of Linen Cotton Canvas, we’ve set our canvas to be 4050 pixels x 2700 pixels.
- To add a photo, select the Uploads icon on the left side of your screen and select “Upload an image or video”. Next, double click on the image you’d like to add to your canvas from your computer. Drag and drop your image onto your canvas.
- If your photos are on the darker side, you may want to adjust the contrast of the photo to ensure it prints with enough contrast on fabric. To adjust the contrast in your photo, select your image and then Adjust > Contrast
- Repeat for the remaining photos.
- Download the file as a PNG.
- Login to your Spoonflower account and upload your design.
- Select Linen Cotton Canvas and Fat Quarter in the drop down menu and add to your cart!
Robert’s file is ready for printing on fabric!
Find more embroidery projects from Robert on the blog!
Is this process still doable if you dont have a computer but a smartphone.
Valerie,
I’m guessing the answer to your question may have a lot do with what type of smartphone you have and what type of technology there is available for it.
I know for my own phone, there are many scanner-related apps I can get, which I’ve used to take images of documents, receipts, that sort of thing. I’d take a look at what scanner apps you have access to and then scan some photos into it and see what they look like.
From there, I’d try uploading your images to Spoonflower as Robert mentions in the post and ordering some swatches of those designs to see how they turn out.
Best,
Betsy
Spoonflower
I have a question; Is there something that I can spray on the pictures to make it last forever? I made a baby blanket with pictures of great grandparents.. How can I preserve it when they wash the blanket?
Thank you,
Barbara sonognini
Hi Barbara!
I’m afraid we don’t have any products to recommend in this capacity, but you are welcome to order a swatch and conduct your own tests.
Our fabrics can withstand normal household washing and, for best preservation, we recommend not storing or draping blankets in direct sunlight for a prolonged time.
Best,
Betsy
Spoonflower
Hello, I have a large map, maybe 3 inches x 70 inches and I would like that image put on a large sheet of fabric….maybe of similar size or slightly larger. The entire fabric needs to be large enough to make a full size quilt and have room around the edges for some embroidered text. Thanks
Hi Mac!
That sounds like a great project!
We have two fabrics that print at 116″: Longleaf Sateen Grand™ and Perennial Sateen Grand.
Both those substrates are available for Spoonflower PRO members to order; you can learn more about the Spoonflower PRO program at this link: https://www.spoonflower.com/pro.
You can check out the widths of the rest of our substrates in this Help Center article. However, with the exception of the two substrates linked above, they’re all smaller than what you need for this project.
If you’d like to talk about other possibilities for your project, our Customer Service team would be happy to help and can be contacted at the following link: https://www.spoonflower.com/en/contact.
Best,
Betsy
Spoonflower
I have a colored pencil drawing I made and would like to have it printed on a pillow. Do you do this or do you recommend I have it printed on fabric and have made privately? If printed on fabric what do you recommend for a pillow?Thank you
Hi Nancy!
You would need to upload your design on Spoonflower and then either buy the fabric to sew it into a pillow yourself or choose to have the fabric printed and sewn into a pillow by our sewing team.
You can learn more about designing and uploading your own designs here: https://support.spoonflower.com/hc/en-us/sections/200793490-Designing-Uploading.
You can learn more about our Living & Decor pillows here: https://www.spoonflower.com/en/living-decor and more about our Bedding pillows here: https://www.spoonflower.com/en/bedding.
Regarding pillow fabrics, you can learn more from our various pillow tutorials here: https://blog.spoonflower.com/?s=pillow.
Best,
Betsy
Spoonflower
I am trying to add my picture on a big queen size flat sheet. Is it possible? Everything I’m seeing is all. I want it big.
Hi Sha-Ron!
It might be possible, but for more information, please email [email protected]. Our Customer Service team can offer more specifics on what you might need for this project.
Thanks!
Betsy
Spoonflower
I love this idea for a Christmas present for someone who’s sister passed away recently. I’m planning on printing her favorite photo of her and embroidering flowers in the background. What size hoop will fit the fabric if I follow Robert’s instructions?
What a lovely and thoughtful gift idea, Anne!
I’m not sure if you’re asking about a hoop to embroider within or a hoop with which to frame the work, so here’s an answer for both:
For the former, you’ll need an embroidery hoop in a size you can hold comfortably as you can move the hoop around as you stitch on the fabric.
For the latter, you’ll need a hoop big enough to accommodate the size of the photo canvas you created in Step 2 in this tutorial. (And if your photo is too large for a hoop, you could also staple the fabric to a frame like this tutorial explains.)
Best,
Betsy
Spoonflower
I am near the end of a machine appliqué embroidery project, making a quilt. The fabric is 100 % quilting cotton, and I am running short of the main fabric.
I have a photo of the fabric in question. It occurred to me that I might be able to print the photo onto fabric. Wondering if it is possible to have good results printing on 100% cotton? If so, it needs to be wash proof.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks, Mary
Hi Mary,
I think this sounds like a great idea! My recommendation for a good quilting cotton to print on is our Petal Signature Cotton, but like a lot of printed fabrics it may fade ever so slightly if you wash it on a normal/heavy setting over and over again. Click here for our fabric care guide! 🙂
I also recommend ordering some test swatches before ordering full yardage for your quilt project, just to make sure the colors and shades of your current fabric vs. the one you’re trying to recreate matches. I imagine the fabric in person vs. a digital file/photo of the fabric may be a bit tricky to match exactly until you can see it in person.
Best of luck and crafty regards,
Anna
Spoonflower
I have pictures my grandchildren have drawn and given me. I am wanting to put these on fabric and embroidery them. It will be a gift back to them. Is this possible
Hi Judy, that sounds like a lovely project!
You could follow the tutorial in this post, but the size of your canvas may look different depending on the size of your grandchildren’s drawings.
If the drawings aren’t uniformly square, using a free program like Canva, which Robert walks you through using in this tutorial, will help you figure out how much fabric you would need. It will also allow you to change the size of the drawing to make it smaller or larger.
Although this post is about embroidering photos, not drawings, you might find some additional information that’s helpful here: https://blog.spoonflower.com/2019/09/10/learn-how-to-embroider-your-first-day-of-school-photos/.
Does that help? Let me know if you have further questions!
Best,
Betsy
Spoonflower
This is exactly what I want to do. However, do I need to have Adobe Photoshop? Can I do it in PowerPoint?
Hi Dotty!
I’m not sure about PowerPoint, as it may not give you exactly what you need for this project in terms of photo editing. However, Canva, which has a free option to use, and which Robert shared about in this tutorial, might be the best (and cheaper!) place to start. Canva will help you get the contrast right for the photos in your project, which is important here.
Best,
Betsy
Spoonflower
Hi Betsy,
I have another question for you. My project is a quilt that will include the photos that I print. What fabric would you recommend?
Hi Dotty!
While your photos will look great an all of our fabrics, photos will print a little more vibrantly and crisp on something that is a smooth weave synthetic fabric. We also recommend you order a sample swatch so that you know what your photos will look like.
Best,
Betsy
Spoonflower
Hi Betsy,
I didn’t see any synthetic fabrics. I was considering the following: signature cotton, cotton poplin, or cotton lawn. I guess the satin is synthetic, but it doesn’t list a use for quilting.
Thanks,
Dotty
Hi Dotty!
We have synthetic fabrics, but for quilting, you would probably not want to go with satin.
There are some tutorials on the blog that work for images printed on cotton fabric, such as this one that uses Petal Signature Cotton, https://blog.spoonflower.com/2020/11/how-to-make-a-custom-photo-ornament-for-under-5/, but you might be best ordering some swatches in different fabrics in order to ensure the crispness and hand that you are looking for for your quilt project.
You might also get some ideas checking out our quilting and photo posts!
Best,
Betsy
Spoonflower
This was EXACTLY what I was looking for. Quick question though, are these machine washable? Or will the photo fade?
Hi Amber,
Linen Cotton Canvas is machine washable– your photos shouldn’t fade! We do recommend you wash your fabric before getting started on this embroidery project, though.
Happy crafting,
Anna
Spoonflower
Thanks very much for this information. In my quilting queue is a family history quilt. My mind is now whirling with new block design ideas, especially using maps — perhaps as a central block. Incentive to finish my current projects so I can spend the colder months doing this one.
OMG, THANK YOU. I have been wanting to work with embroidered photos on fabric and this article is both incredibly helpful and inspiring. I wasn’t sure what the ideal fabric was, how to print on larger areas like fat quarters, etc and the article answers all my questions.
I really wish Spoonflower would offer more single graphics printed on fabrics like this instead of repeating design – that crafters could use as decorative embellishments.
Hi Debra,
We’re so glad to hear you enjoyed this article! All designs in the Spoonflower Marketplace are uploaded by independent designers from around the world. There are some centered design that have been created and maybe taking a look at quilt blocks designs will be helpful in your search for decorative embellishments. You are also welcome to upload your own designs for your specific needs! You can visit the Designing and Uploading section in our Help Center for more info.
Best of luck with your projects!
Amy
Spoonflower
Hi!
I’m hoping to sew some images onto winter hats and would like a material that’s machine washable… Do you have any recommendations of what material to use for this from your selection?
Hi Ryan,
Thanks for your interest! Spoonflower Fleece would be great for winter hats. You can learn more about it here.
-Amy
Spoonflower
What should the pixel ratio be on Canva, for a 24\” canvas project? Thank you in advance!
Hi Yuna, for a 24″ canvas project, you’ll want to make your art board 3600 pixels wide. I hope that helps! – Theresa from Spoonflower
The submit photo can layout to 1 yard full or only the small range such as this example?
And , dear:
What’ the “save this layout” button? Is it a new play in design submit? 🙂
challoty.weebly.com
,sincerely yours
Hi K,
You can certainly create a 1 yard canvas for this project! If working in Canva, your file should be 8100 pixels x 5400 pixels and in Photoshop it should be 54″ x 36″. When uploading your own design the Save this Layout button will be available if you choose to adjust the size or layout of your design. I hope that helps, but if you have any more questions don’t hesitate to ask!
Can you print projects that are more than a yard long?
Hi Robin,
Yes! You can print more than a yard if that’s what your project calls for. Keep in mind that for embroidery specifically, it will get trickier to embroider the more yardage you’re working with but it can certainly be done. We’d love to see what you come up with!
All the best,
Laurie S.
Spoonflower
Laurie s at spoonflower
Is there a graphic artist you can recommend to help start up first design ideas at spoonflower?
Thanks kate
Hi Kate,
Thanks for your interest! If you are just starting out designing on Spoonflower, we would recommend checking out our Help Center for some basic information on designing and uploading. We also encourage you to consider entering our weekly design challenges for some instant inspiration and as a great introduction to our wonderful artist community.
Take care,
Amy
Spoonflower
I’m a huge fan of his work. Very inspiring!