Manuela Caniato Textile Art

Over the years, I’ve experimented with many different methods for printing on fabric. Today, I want to share my thoughts on one of the most accessible and straightforward options I’ve tried so far: the PrintModa printer by Brotherhttps://sewingcraft.brother.eu/en/products/machines/craft-printers/craft-printers/hl-jf1—a specialized printer designed specifically for cotton. Best of all, it’s compact enough to use at home.

I purchased the PrintModa a few months ago, and overall, I’m quite pleased with it. The biggest advantage? Simplicity. The process is incredibly user-friendly. With just a click from your computer, the printer begins its job—much like a regular inkjet printer—except instead of paper, it prints on a roll of cotton fabric. The entire process only takes a few minutes, and both the print and fabric quality are good.

The cotton fabric it uses has a soft, creamy tone—not a stark optical white—which gives the final print a warmer hue than the original picture.

That said, the printer does come with some limitations.

First, it’s big and heavy. At 23 kilograms, it takes up significantly more space than a standard paper printer—so it’s not something you can easily tuck away in a corner.

But the main limitation for me is the size of the cotton roll. The fabric roll is 297 mm (about 30 cm) wide and can extend up to 5 meters in length. While the length is generous, the width feels quite limiting, especially if you’re dreaming up larger designs.

Another downside is that the cotton rolls run out quickly and are fairly expensive. This means you need to plan each print carefully and minimize mistakes—no room for unnecessary waste.

This part has been a bit of a personal challenge. I tend to approach projects experimentally, making multiple test prints until I land on exactly what I want. With this setup, I’ve had to shift gears and focus on precision over trial-and-error to make the most of every inch of fabric.

One more caveat: Brother’s cotton roll is the only compatible material. The printer doesn’t support alternative fabrics. The roll consists of a layer of cotton lightly bonded to a plastic backing, which is peeled off after printing. If you were hoping to print on other materials, this printer isn’t for you.

The printer also comes with a companion app called Artspira, designed to help you manage designs and customize prints. I personally moved on from Artspira quite quickly. I’m much more comfortable working in Photoshop, where I can fine-tune every detail of my design before sending it to print. Artspira is simpler and more limited, so if you’re used to professional tools, you might find it unnecessary.

In summary, the PrintModa has streamlined my fabric printing process, making it faster and easier. However, the print quality hasn’t seen a dramatic improvement—and the printer’s constraints mean it might not be ideal for everyone. But for what it offers, especially in terms of ease-of-use, it’s a great tool for home-based fabric printing.