Printing Pictures On T-Shirts: A Step-By-Step Guide

There are many ways to get a picture on a T-shirt, from using transfer paper and an iron to printing services. If you want to print a picture on a T-shirt at home, you will need a printer, transfer paper, an iron, and a pillowcase. You will also need to select a high-quality image for your T-shirt design. If you don't have access to a printer, you can use regular printer paper and a plastic wrap or parchment paper to transfer your image. For those who don't want to go through the hassle of creating a T-shirt at home, there are printing services available that offer custom T-shirt printing.

Choosing the right T-shirt

The colour of the T-shirt is another key aspect. Creating a clear contrast between the image and the shirt will make the print stand out. If your image contains rich colours and darker details, opt for a light-coloured shirt. On the other hand, if your image features softer tones and subdued colours, a darker-coloured shirt will showcase the design better. Experiment with different colours and shades to achieve the desired effect.

Additionally, the printing method you choose will impact the overall appearance of the T-shirt. DTG printing produces durable designs that bind smoothly with the fabric and allow for detailed prints. This method is ideal for transferring visuals directly onto the shirt. On the other hand, DTF printing takes longer but can achieve vibrant prints on any fabric type. Consider your priorities in terms of quality, design limitations, and cost when selecting a printing method.

Lastly, if you're planning to sell your custom T-shirts, ensure you only use original designs or photos to avoid any legal issues. With the right combination of fabric, colour, printing method, and design, you can create high-quality, attractive T-shirts with pictures.

Preparing the design file

Firstly, select a high-quality image for your T-shirt design. The image should be clear and high-resolution, with a minimum size of 3000 x 3000 pixels. If you are scanning a physical image, ensure that you save it as a JPEG file. You can also take a photograph of the image and transfer it to your computer. If you plan to sell your T-shirts, ensure that you only use original designs or photos to avoid any legal issues.

Next, mirror or reverse the image if you are using light-coloured T-shirts. This step is crucial as it ensures that any text in your design will be readable after transfer. Transfer paper for light-coloured shirts creates a mirror image, so you need to reverse your image before printing. You can usually find a "reverse" or "mirror" setting in your print options. Alternatively, you can flip your image using image editing software. If you are using transfer paper for dark-coloured shirts, do not reverse the image.

Now, open your chosen image editing software and prepare your image for printing. Check that the image fits within the printable area of your transfer paper. If it is too large, resize the image to fit the paper. You can also select "fit to scale" in your print options. Ensure that your image is centred and positioned correctly on the paper.

Finally, print your design onto the transfer paper. Check that you are printing on the correct side of the transfer paper. One side may have a logo, design, or thermal indicators. Ensure that your printer settings are correct, especially if you are using an inkjet printer. If your image is wider than it is tall, switch to "landscape mode" for the best results.

Once your design is printed, cut out the image from the transfer paper. Any excess paper left around the image may show up as a thin film on the T-shirt. Use a ruler and a sharp knife to cut out the image accurately.

Now that your design file is prepared, you are ready to apply your image to the T-shirt.

Printing methods

Direct-to-Garment (DTG) Printing

A DTG printer works similarly to a regular office printer, applying water-based inks directly onto the fabric using modified inkjet technology. This method ensures high-quality, detailed prints, and the setup time is much shorter than with other methods like screen printing. DTG printing is best suited for shirts made of cotton or a cotton blend.

Direct-to-Film (DTF) Printing

DTF printing requires a heat-press mechanism to transfer the image onto the shirt using a film and powder. This method takes longer than DTG printing due to the additional steps, but it ensures vibrant colours and durable prints on any type of fabric.

Screen Printing

Screen printing is a popular stencil-based printing technique where ink is applied to the fabric through a mesh screen. This method requires more specialised supplies but allows you to print many shirts from a single image.

All-Over Printing or Dye Sublimation

With this method, images are digitally printed onto a special heat transfer paper. Heat is then applied to transfer the design onto the fabric, allowing you to cover the entire shirt with your print. This method is suitable for light or white shirts.

Iron-On Transfers with Transfer Paper

This method requires an inkjet printer, transfer paper, and an iron. Print your design on the transfer paper, cut it out, and iron it onto the shirt. This process is fairly simple, as the inkjet printer does most of the work. However, it is important to note that there are different types of transfer paper for light and dark-coloured shirts, and the image may need to be mirrored for light-coloured shirts.

Inkodye

Inkodye is another option for quick one-time printing. Lay your shirt on a flat surface, smooth out any wrinkles, and apply the Inkodye with a brush or roller. Expose the print to direct sunlight for 10-15 minutes to dry and transfer the image. Finally, wash your shirt to remove any excess dye.

DIY methods

There are several DIY methods to get a picture on a T-shirt, and most of them require the use of transfer paper. Here are some detailed instructions on how to do it:

Using Transfer Paper:

• Purchase the right transfer paper for your T-shirt colour. There are two types: one for light-coloured shirts and one for dark-coloured shirts.
• Select a high-quality image for your design. It is recommended to use an image with a resolution of at least 200 ppi.
• Mirror the image if you are using transfer paper for light-coloured shirts. This step is not necessary for dark-coloured shirts.
• Print your design onto the transfer paper, making sure the image fits the paper.
• Cut out the image, removing any excess paper.
• Prepare your T-shirt by placing it on a flat, hard surface and ironing it to remove any wrinkles.
• Place the transfer paper onto the T-shirt, with the image facing down for light-coloured shirts and facing up for dark-coloured shirts.
• Iron the image onto the T-shirt, following the instructions that come with your transfer paper.
• Let the area cool down, then peel off the paper to reveal your design.

Using Iron-on Transfers with Transfer Paper:

• Purchase transfer paper from a stationery, craft, or office supply store.
• Print your design on the transfer paper using a regular inkjet printer.
• Cut around the edges of the picture to ensure there is no excess transfer paper.
• Iron the transfer paper onto the T-shirt, following the instructions provided.
• Let the shirt cool, then carefully peel off the paper to reveal your custom design.

Using a Parchment Paper Transfer with Plastic Wrap:

• Find and print your desired design. You can use regular printer paper or cut out an image from a magazine if you don't have access to a printer.
• Cover the image in plastic wrap, folding the excess wrap to the back of the image.
• Place the wrapped image on the T-shirt and lay a piece of parchment paper on top.
• Iron over the image, applying even pressure and ironing around all the edges.
• Let the shirt cool, then remove the parchment paper.

Using a Cricut™ Machine:

• Create or adjust your image file in Cricut Design Space.
• Attach vinyl to the mat and insert it into the Cricut cutting machine to cut out your image.
• Use the weeding tool to peel off any excess material.
• Lay your design onto the T-shirt and iron it on with a Cricut EasyPress® or a regular iron.
• Wait at least 24 hours before washing the shirt to ensure the design doesn't come off.

Additional Tips:

• When choosing a T-shirt, consider the colour, fabric, comfort, durability, and cost.
• If you plan to sell your custom T-shirts, only use your original designs or photos to avoid legal issues.
• Wash your T-shirt by hand and avoid direct sunlight to prolong the life of the transferred image.

Washing instructions

There are several ways to put a picture on a T-shirt, including iron-on transfers, parchment paper transfers, and Cricut™ machine transfers. However, the focus here is on washing instructions for T-shirts with pictures. Here are some detailed, direct, and instructive guidelines on how to wash T-shirts with pictures:

• Wash at Low Temperatures: Always wash your printed T-shirts at low temperatures, ideally 30°C or lower. This is crucial for DTG (direct-to-garment) prints, which can quickly fade or crack if washed in hot water. Screen prints are more durable, but washing in cooler water helps extend the life of the print and prevents the shirt from shrinking, becoming bobbly, or fading.
• Hang Dry or Tumble Dry Low: The recommended method for drying printed T-shirts is to hang them up to air dry. For DTG prints, tumble drying can lead to fading and cracking. If you must use a dryer, choose the lowest possible heat setting to prevent damage and shrinkage.
• Turn Garments Inside Out: Before washing, turn your T-shirts inside out. This simple step protects the print from rubbing against other clothes and helps it stay fresher for longer. It also reduces wear and tear on the garment, keeping it smoother and less prone to pilling.
• Wash with Similar Colours and Fabrics: Avoid overloading the washing machine, as this can cause excessive rubbing between clothes, leading to pilling, fading, or print damage. Wash printed shirts with similar colours and fabrics to keep them safe and looking new. For example, wash whites only with other whites and avoid mixing heavy fabrics like towels or denim with printed garments.
• Use Mild Detergents and Avoid Bleach: Opt for mild detergents when washing printed shirts. Stay away from bleach and harsh chemicals, as these can fade colours and damage both the print and the fabric. For stain removal, use a stain remover that can be applied directly to the spot before washing.
• Avoid Ironing Over the Print: Do not iron directly over the printed area of your T-shirt. If you need to iron the shirt, turn it inside out or place a cloth over the print to protect it. Use a low heat setting, as high heat can damage the print.
• Hand Washing: While machine washing is convenient, hand washing can provide even more gentle treatment for your printed T-shirts. Fill a tub or sink with cool water and add a mild detergent. Turn the printed shirt inside out, pre-treat any stains, and gently buff them with a washcloth. Let the shirt soak for at least 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with cool water and gently wring it out. Finally, hang the shirt on a rounded hanger to air dry.
• General Care Tips: Always separate and sort your laundry before washing. Wash colours and darks together, keeping whites separate. Also, pay attention to the weight and texture of the garments. Heavy and abrasive items like towels and jeans can rough up your printed T-shirts. Avoid using bleach, as it can be harsh on the fabric and print. Instead, opt for non-chlorine, hydrogen peroxide-based bleach if needed.

Frequently asked questions