If you’re making a memory quilt, graduation quilt, wedding quilt, or any project featuring treasured photographs, you probably have questions before ordering. After all, these are your precious memories.
At Photo Quilt Blocks, we want you to feel confident every step of the way. Below are answers to the questions we hear most often about our custom printed photo quilt blocks.
We Print Your Photos on Fabric—You Create Something Beautiful
One of the most common questions we receive is, “Do you make the quilt?”
The answer is no—and that’s what makes our service so unique!
At Photo Quilt Blocks, we professionally print your photos on fabric. Then you use that fabric to create whatever project you dream up. Whether you’re an experienced quilter, sewist, or just getting started, our fabric arrives ready to sew, so you can skip the hassle of printing photos yourself and get right to the fun part—creating.
What We Do
We professionally print your favorite photos on high-quality fabric that is:
- Ready to sew right out of the package
- Professionally printed with a commercial quality printer and inks that are child safe
- Soft and flexible—no stiff transfer paper
- Vibrant and permanent using sublimation printing
- Washable and made to last
- Available in multiple block and panel sizes
What We Don’t Do
To avoid any confusion, we do not make the finished project.
We print the fabric. You provide the creativity!
That means you can use your printed photo fabric in any sewing project you choose.
What Type of Fabric Do You Use?
We print all of our Photo Quilt Blocks on a high-quality 100% polyester fabric specifically selected for sublimation printing and quilting. We have tested many fabrics and have found our fabrics to have the best hand and printability!
Unlike some printable fabrics that are thick, papery, or coated with chemicals, our fabric remains soft, flexible, and easy to quilt. It behaves much like traditional quilting cotton while providing the brilliant color and durability that sublimation printing offers.
Because the ink actually becomes part of the fabric fibers, the finished blocks maintain their softness and won’t crack or peel over time.
We offer these fabrics: Poly poplin, Snuggle Velour, t-shirt knit, satin, and Ivory Linen.
How Are the Photos Printed on the Fabric?
We use a professional sublimation printing process, which permanently dyes your photograph into the fibers of the fabric.
Here’s what makes sublimation different:
- The image is first printed with specialty sublimation inks.
- Heat and pressure turn the ink into a gas.
- The gas permanently penetrates the polyester fibers.
- Once cooled, the ink becomes part of the fabric itself.
This process produces vibrant colors, crisp details, and photographs that won’t wash away or sit on top of the fabric like iron-on transfers.
The result is a beautiful keepsake that’s designed to last for generations.
Will the Photos Fade Over Time?
Under normal use, our photo quilt blocks are extremely fade resistant.
Since sublimation ink becomes part of the fabric instead of sitting on the surface, the colors remain bright through years of enjoyment.
As with any printed fabric, we recommend:
- Avoiding prolonged direct sunlight for display quilts.
- Washing with mild detergent.
- Avoiding bleach.
With proper care, your memories will remain vibrant for many years.
Can the Photo Fabric Be Washed?
Absolutely!
Our printed fabric is completely washable.
For best results:
- Wash in cold or warm water.
- Use a gentle detergent.
- Avoid bleach.
- Tumble dry on low or air dry.
Because the image is permanently bonded into the fabric, it won’t peel, crack, or wash off.
That means your memory quilts can be loved, displayed, and even cuddled without worrying about damaging the photographs.
Does the Fabric Feel Stiff After Printing?
No.
One of the biggest surprises customers mention is how soft the fabric feels.
Since sublimation doesn’t require heavy coatings or transfer papers, the printed areas maintain the soft hand of the fabric and sew very nicely.
Your quilting machine handles the fabric beautifully, making piecing and quilting easy.
Do You Add Interfacing?
Yes! In the printing process we fuse a sheer weight interfacing as we print. This minimizes any color fading or damage from irons as you are prepping your fabric to piece and quilt. This feature alone makes people so excited at quilt shows they say “sign me up”!
We can leave the interfacing off upon request.
Some quilters prefer adding lightweight fusible interfacing before quilting, while others prefer the natural drape of the fabric. Every quilting style is different, so we are flexible about fusing on the interfacing.
Are the Blocks Ready to Sew When They Arrive?
Yes!
Your Photo Quilt Blocks arrive printed, interfaced, and ready for your project.
There’s no need to:
- Print anything yourself
- Transfer images
- Iron on photos
- Remove backing papers
- Prepare fabric
Simply unpack your order, trim your blocks apart, and start sewing.
Our goal is to let you spend your time creating your quilt—not fighting with complicated printing techniques.
Do You Add Seam Allowances?
We’ve designed our website specifically with quilters in mind.
Simply choose your finished block size, upload your photo, and our system does the work for you. Your image is automatically sized to fit the finished block, and a ¼-inch seam allowance is added around the outside so your photo isn’t lost in the seams.
The result is a quilt-ready block that’s perfectly sized and ready to sew into your project.
Will the Colors Match What I See on My Computer or Phone?
We work hard to produce the most accurate colors possible, but it’s important to understand that every screen displays color differently.
Phones, tablets, laptops, and monitors all use different brightness settings and color profiles.
That means the printed fabric may appear slightly lighter, darker, warmer, or cooler than what you see on your device.
Before printing, we carefully review every image and make adjustments when needed to achieve the best possible print quality.
Our goal is always to create a photo that looks beautiful on fabric—not simply duplicate the appearance of one particular screen.
Why Quilters Choose Photo Quilt Blocks
When you order from Photo Quilt Blocks, you’re getting more than just printed fabric.
You’re receiving:
- ✓ Professionally printed photographs
- ✓ Soft, quilt-ready fabric
- ✓ Vibrant, permanent sublimation printing
- ✓ Washable photo fabric
- ✓ Accurate trimming
- ✓ Included seam allowances
- ✓ Ready-to-sew blocks
- ✓ Personal service from people who understand quilting
We know these aren’t just pictures—they’re memories. Every order is printed with the care and attention those memories deserve.
Ready to Turn Your Memories Into a Quilt? Here are your next steps:
Getting started is easy! Just follow these four simple steps:
1. Plan Your Quilt
Decide what size finished photo quilt blocks you need for your quilt or sewing project and how many.
2. Prepare Your Artwork
Scan your photos, drawings, or artwork at 300 DPI for the best print quality.
If you need help understanding this, take a look at this article: How to know your images will print clearly!
3. Upload Your Images
Watch our step-by-step tutorial to see how easy it is to upload and position your photos:
Go to You Tube to see how easy it is to upload your photos!
4. Personalize Your Order
Visit our Photo Quilt Blocks page, choose your finished block size, upload your images, and personalize your project. Our website will automatically size your image and add the proper ¼-inch seam allowance, so your blocks arrive ready to sew.
Here is a link to our most popular fabric for quilts:
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