Using T-Shirt Transfer Paper: A Step-By-Step Guide

Transfer paper is a specially designed paper that allows you to transfer designs onto various materials by applying heat and pressure. The process involves printing a design or photo onto a sheet of transfer paper and then placing the paper onto the desired fabric and applying heat and pressure using an iron or a heat press. There are two types of heat transfer papers: light transfer paper and dark transfer paper. Light transfer paper is used for light-coloured fabrics and has a thin transparent film. Dark transfer paper is used for dark-coloured fabrics and has an opaque white layer to prevent the fabric colour from showing through the design. The process of transferring a design using transfer paper typically involves printing the design, cutting around it, positioning the printed transfer paper on the fabric, applying heat and pressure, and then peeling away the paper to reveal the design.

Choosing the right transfer paper

Type of Printer

The first step is to identify the type of printer you have or plan to purchase. There are two main types of printers used for heat transfer paper: inkjet and laser printers. Inkjet printers use liquid ink cartridges and are generally more affordable, making them ideal for printing photographs. On the other hand, laser printers use toner cartridges filled with powder and tend to be more expensive. They excel at printing vector-based art and can also produce good-quality photos, especially when used with RIP software.

Type of Fabric

The type of fabric you are printing on is another crucial consideration. Cotton is the most common fabric for T-shirts and is generally easy to work with. It takes transfer designs well, but not all transfer papers are created equal when it comes to cotton. Polyester, a popular choice for athletic wear due to its durability and moisture-wicking properties, can be trickier to print on due to its synthetic nature. Blends, which combine cotton and polyester, offer a balance between comfort and durability but require transfer paper that adheres well to both fibres. For specialty fabrics like spandex, rayon, and nylon, you may need specialised transfer papers to ensure the print doesn't crack or peel.

Colour of Fabric

The colour of the fabric also plays a role in choosing the right transfer paper. Light-coloured fabrics, such as white, light grey, or light beige, require light transfer paper, which has a transparent polymer coating. This coating may slightly alter the colour of your printed image. On the other hand, dark-coloured fabrics like black, red, or navy require dark transfer paper, which has an opaque white polymer coating. This ensures that your image transfers as intended, without the shirt colour showing through.

Durability and Washability

When selecting transfer paper, consider the durability and washability of the final product. Look for transfer paper that produces vibrant, washable designs that are resistant to fading, cracking, or peeling. The type of printer and transfer paper you choose can impact these factors, so it's important to read reviews and choose a reliable seller.

Method of Transfer

You can choose between using a commercial heat press or a household iron for transferring your designs. If you're a small business owner, investing in a commercial heat press is advisable as it ensures high-quality, even prints. For beginners or those making a few transfers, a household iron can be a more convenient and accessible option.

Paper Size and Project Size

Consider the size of your project to reduce material waste. Transfer papers come in various sizes, so choose one that fits your printer and is appropriate for the scale of your project. For example, a baby's T-shirt will require a smaller paper size compared to an adult's shirt.

Versatility

Look for transfer paper that offers versatile usage. Ideally, you want to be able to print on various soft surfaces like shirts, pants, tote bags, and pillowcases made from different types of fabric. Transfer papers that work well with cotton or cotton-blend fabrics are a good choice as they provide vibrant and long-lasting prints.

Preparing your work area

Firstly, find a suitable work surface. It should be hard and flat, such as a table or a wooden cutting board, as you will need to apply pressure and heat. Avoid using an ironing board, as it won't provide a firm enough surface. Make sure the surface can withstand heat and cover it with a cloth or other material if needed.

Next, prepare the tools and materials you will need. This includes your transfer paper, which comes in two types: light transfer paper for light-coloured fabrics and dark transfer paper for dark-coloured fabrics. Choose the appropriate type based on the colour of your t-shirt or fabric. You will also need an inkjet or laser printer, depending on the type of transfer paper you are using. Ensure your printer is set up correctly and load the transfer paper into the printer with the white (printing) side facing up.

Before printing your design, mirror or reverse the image if you are using light transfer paper. This step is crucial to ensure that your design appears correctly on the fabric. However, if you are using dark transfer paper, you do not need to mirror the image.

Now, you are ready to print your design onto the transfer paper. Make sure to set your printer output to “mirror pages” so that the design will be reversed and appear correctly on the fabric. After printing, let the ink dry completely before proceeding to the next step.

Once your design is printed and dried, cut out the design carefully using scissors or a cutting machine. If you are using light transfer paper, cut as close to the design as possible to minimise the visibility of any light-coloured space around the image.

Finally, prepare the t-shirt or fabric by placing it on your work surface and ironing it to remove any creases or wrinkles. Make sure the fabric is smooth and flat before applying the transfer.

Now that your work area is prepared, you can proceed to the next steps of the transfer process, including positioning the transfer, applying heat, and peeling away the backing paper.

Loading the transfer paper

Firstly, you need to load your heat transfer paper into your printer. This is usually a simple case of placing it into the printer's paper tray. The type of printer you use will depend on the type of transfer paper you have. For an inkjet printer, you will need inkjet heat transfer paper, and for a laser printer, you will need laser heat transfer paper.

Next, you need to ensure that you load the paper the right way up. Load the paper with the white side facing up, as this is the side that will be printed on. If you are unsure which side to use, you can do a test run with normal paper. Draw an 'X' on one side and run it through your printer to see which side gets printed on.

Now you are ready to print your design. Before you do so, check that your printed output is set to 'mirror pages'. This will ensure that your design is printed in reverse and will appear the right way round when transferred onto your t-shirt or fabric. It is especially important to mirror your image if your design includes text.

You can now print your design. Ensure that you have the correct ink for your type of transfer paper. For sublimation transfer paper, you will need sublimation ink, which turns into a gas when heated, allowing the design to permeate the fabric.

Once you have printed your design, you can cut it out. Use scissors or a cutting machine to cut around the design, staying as close to the edge as possible. This step is crucial as any uncut, unprinted areas can transfer as a semi-transparent film onto the fabric, altering its texture.

Now your transfer paper is ready to be applied to your fabric.

Preparing the T-shirt

The first step in preparing your T-shirt for the transfer is to select the right type of transfer paper. There are two types of transfer paper: light transfer paper, used for white or light-coloured fabrics, and dark transfer paper, used for black or dark-coloured fabrics. Using the right type of transfer paper will ensure you get the best results and a more durable design.

Next, you need to choose the right fabric for your T-shirt. The best option is 100% cotton, but a blend of at least 50% cotton will also work. The fabric should be smooth and heat-resistant, and it's important to avoid rough or stretchy synthetic fabrics. Pre-washing your fabric can also help prevent shrinkage and ensure the transfer adheres well.

Now it's time to prepare your work area. Find a hard, flat, heat-resistant surface to work on – an ironing board is not suitable as it won't be able to withstand the extreme pressure needed. Cover the surface with a cloth or other material, then place your T-shirt on top and smooth out any wrinkles with an iron.

Before you begin the transfer process, make sure you have pre-cut your design as close to the edges as possible. This will ensure a seamless finish. If you're using light transfer paper, you'll also need to mirror your image so that it appears the right way around on the fabric.

Finally, place a piece of cardboard or a folded-up paper bag inside the T-shirt, directly underneath where the transfer will be applied. This will prevent the image from transferring to both sides of the fabric.

Cutting the design

Step 1: Choose the Right Tools

You can use a pair of scissors to cut out your design. Alternatively, if you want more precision, consider using a cutting machine. If you are a beginner, it is recommended to practice cutting on a piece of copy paper first to ensure perfect lines and not ruin your design.

Step 2: Cut Close to the Design

When using light heat transfer paper, cut as close to the design as possible, leaving little space. Any light-coloured space left around the image will be visible after pressing, so precision is key. For dark transfer paper, you will need to carefully cut around and inside any letters or design elements if you want the colour of the shirt to show through instead of the white colour of the transfer paper.

Step 3: Press the Fabric

Before adding the design to the shirt, press the fabric for a few seconds to remove moisture and wrinkles.

Step 4: Position the Design

Detach your image from the backing paper and position it face down for light heat transfer paper or face up for dark fabrics.

Step 5: Cover with Parchment Paper

Don't forget to cover the image with parchment paper before pressing. The parchment paper acts as a protective film.

Step 6: Pressing Time and Temperature

The pressing time and temperature will depend on the type of transfer paper and design you are using. For example, TeckWrap Craft recommends a temperature of 185 degrees Celsius for 15 minutes for light-coloured fabrics, and 165 degrees Celsius for 25 seconds for dark-coloured fabrics.

Step 7: Peel the Paper

For light transfer paper, it is best to hot peel it within 5 seconds. On the other hand, a cold peeling or hot peeling method is required for dark transfer papers.

Frequently asked questions