Do you want to learn how to make graphic tees with iron-on transfer paper at home? So, don’t stop reading now!
We will be discussing the easiest ways of how to make graphic tees at home by using iron-on transfer paper. Here is the supply list:
- Graphic design solution
- T-shirt
- Iron-on transfer paper
- Printer
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Pillowcase
- Iron
Graphic Design Solution:
To begin, make a sketch of a design for your t-shirt. To create your t-shirt, you can use a graphic design program like Adobe Illustrator.
Adobe Illustrator, on the other hand, isn’t free. As a result, if you want to develop a simple custom t-shirt design without spending money, you can use graphic design solutions like Canva and PicMonkey than fancier complex programs like Adobe Illustrator.
T-Shirt:
Any plain t-shirt will suffice for this custom print DIY t-shirt, so find your favorite plain t-shirt and let’s get started.
Iron-On Transfer Paper:
There are a few things you’ll need for this DIY project, one of which is iron-on transfer paper. You can use Avery fabric transfer paper for this as well.
Here are some of the problems that people may have with Avery Fabric Transfer Paper:
- Any portion of the design that is left unused or untrimmed turns yellow.
- After the second wash, the design begins to break and flake off the t-shirt.
Other iron-on transfer paper companies may be worth considering for your own DIY graphic project.
Printer:
For this DIY graphic t-shirt, you’ll need a printer. A Canon all-in-one color inkjet printer for this job would be great. This printer is one of the most affordable on the market, and it prints, copies, and scans. Overall, it’s not a horrible deal.
The iron-on transfer paper, on the other hand, usually can’t print the t-shirt design very well. Particularly, the black in the custom t-shirt design doesn’t come out with a great output..
Nonetheless, the iron-on transfer paper quality may be a bit dull in the custom print design. So you can’t directly fault the printer until you try different iron-on transfer paper brands.
Pencil:
A pencil is not required. Using a pencil, allows you to make a cutting guide, which allows you to gently cut around the design of your fabric without cutting into it.
If you’re concerned about accidentally cutting a part of your custom print design, use a pencil to trace around the image before trimming the excess transfer paper.
Scissors:
To clip the surplus transfer paper, use a pair of sharp scissors.
Pillowcase:
You may get perplexed as to why you would require a pillowcase. After all, this isn’t a custom pillowcase project.
The pillowcase acts as a shield between the heat from the iron and the flat surface you choose to transfer the design onto the fabric of your t-shirt’.
In addition, the pillowcase gives some padding, which aids in the design’s transfer to the t-shirt.
Instead of the pillowcase, you can now use other objects such as a folded flat sheet or a bath towel. In reality, as long as the item provides some padding and covers the flat surface from the heat, it should be fine.
Iron:
Unless you have a heat press machine, you won’t be able to transfer the design from the transfer paper to the t-shirt without an iron. As a result, add your iron to the supplies list because it’ll come in handy!
Graphic T-Shirts At Home Using Iron-On Transfer Paper Instructions
Step 1: Create And Print The Design
Now it is the time to create your personalized t-shirt design with a graphic design solution. It is very simple to make any Halloween custom t-shirt design “Witch Better Have My Candy” using Canva.
This design will take you less than ten minutes to complete. You can use other programs, such as Adobe Illustrator or Microsoft Word.
It’s time to print your own t-shirt design after it’s been designed. Before printing your t-shirt design on transfer paper, make sure you select the mirror print option in the print window — this is a step you cannot skip.
If your printer doesn’t support mirror printing, use your computer’s paint application to flip your custom t-shirt design horizontally.
Step 2: Trace And Trim The Design
Using a pencil, trace the design, then carefully trim the excess iron-on transfer paper with sharp scissors.
You can skip tracing if you accept that you won’t cut into the pattern unintentionally. Instead, simply trim the excess transfer paper with a pair of scissors.
Step 3: Select A Flat Surface To Iron Transfer The Design Onto The T-Shirt
For transferring the design onto your t-shirt, you’ll need a flat surface. As a result, make your DIY graphic t-shirt on a flat, uncluttered surface.
Tables are ideal for this type of work. However, use a pillowcase or a folded flat sheet to protect the table surface. Because you want to prevent hurting the table’s surface when transferring the design to the t-shirt.
Step 4: Iron The T-Shirt To Prepare The Surface For The Transfer
Before attempting to transfer the design onto the shirt, iron the t-shirt to generate a heated and wrinkle-free surface that aids in the design transfer. It will remove any moisture that could hinder the design from being transferred to the t-shirt.
Step 5: Iron Transfer The Design Onto The T-Shirt
This is the exciting part you’ve been waiting for! It’s time to iron the design onto the t-shirt once and for all. The length of time it takes to iron the design onto the t-shirt is determined on the type of transfer paper used.
However, applying enough heat and pressure to the design should help it stick to the t-surface shirt’s readily.
Setting the iron to the highest temperature with no stream for roughly four to five minutes should do the trick in terms of time.
However, to be on the safe side, follow the brand’s guidelines to ensure you have the best chance of making the best DIY custom t-shirt print possible.
Step 6: Let The T-Shirt Cool Down For A Few Minutes
After ironing the image onto the t-shirt, all you have to do now is peel the transfer’s paper backing away to reveal your masterpiece!
You must resist the temptation! Instead, wait a few minutes for the t-shirt to cool down so your fingertips don’t get burned.
Furthermore, the design is still in the process of fully adhering to the t-shirt, and you don’t want to interrupt it.
Step 7: Peel The Paper Backing From The Transfer
Now it’s time for the truth to be revealed! It’s time to remove the transfer’s paper backing. This process should be straightforward, but that isn’t always the case. If you’re having trouble pulling the paper backing away from the transfer, go back to step 5 and try again. A little more heat is usually all that’s must to make free the pattern from the transfer paper.
Step 8: Wash The T-Shirt
Finally, if the design on your DIY graphic t-shirt bleeds, consider washing it before wearing it.
So, these are all the essential steps on how to make graphic tees. It’s really easy right?
Hopefully by now you have understood properly how to make graphic tees.
Now again, if you don’t wanna take the hassle of doing all these steps, you can get your customized graphic tees from Beautiful Connection Group. They can provide you with any kind of graphic t-shirt you want.
