Customizing Your Wardrobe: Diy T-Shirt Printing

There are several ways to print your own design on a T-shirt. The most popular methods include using transfer paper, direct-to-garment printing, screen printing, and heat transfer vinyl printing. Transfer paper is suitable for one-time projects and can be used with a regular home or office printer. Direct-to-garment printing uses a fabric printer to print directly onto the T-shirt, while screen printing is ideal for simple graphics and bulk printing. Heat transfer vinyl printing is a durable and aesthetic option that can be applied to multiple fabric types.

Choosing the design

Choosing a design for your T-shirt is the most important step in the process of DIY T-shirt printing. Here are some tips to help you choose the perfect design:

• Understand your purpose: Before you start designing, think about why you want to create your own T-shirt. Are you looking to express your individuality, raise awareness for a cause, or promote your brand? Knowing your purpose will help you create a design that resonates with your audience.
• Know your target audience: Consider who you are designing the T-shirt for. Is it for music lovers, avid readers, or sports enthusiasts? Understanding your target audience will help you create a design that appeals to their interests and aesthetics.
• Find inspiration: Look for inspiration online on platforms like Behance, Dribbble, or Pinterest. You can also find inspiration in art galleries, museums, nature, magazines, and quotes.
• Choose a colour palette: Select colours that represent your brand or personality. Keep in mind that print designs typically use the CMYK colour model, so the colours on your screen may differ from the printed colours.
• Select a font: Choose a font that is easy to read and aligns with the tone and mood you want to convey. Playful fonts reflect lightheartedness and fun, while elegant fonts add sophistication to your design.
• Consider placement: Decide where you want to place your design on the T-shirt. You can experiment with different placements, such as the front, back, or sleeves, to see what looks best.
• Create balance: When placing your design, strike a balance between visibility and visual appeal. Ensure that the design is not too cluttered or overwhelming.
• Use visuals: Visual elements such as photos, illustrations, and patterns can add life to your design. Even if you're using logo graphics, making your T-shirt visually appealing will make people want to wear it.

Selecting 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 are generally less expensive and are ideal for printing photographs as they can produce a full range of colours. Laser printers, on the other hand, are typically more expensive but excel at printing vector-based art and can also produce good-quality photo prints, especially when using RIP software.

Fabric Colour

The colour of your T-shirt fabric is another important consideration when choosing transfer paper. Light-coloured fabrics, including white, pastel, and light grey, require light transfer paper. This type of paper has a transparent polymer coating, so the fabric colour may slightly alter the image's colours. Dark-coloured fabrics, such as black, red, or navy, need dark transfer paper, which has an opaque white polymer coating to prevent the fabric colour from showing through.

Fabric Type

Most transfer papers work well with 100% cotton, 100% polyester, and poly/cotton blends. However, some transfer papers, like 3G Jet Opaque, are designed specifically for use with 100% cotton fabrics. If you plan to print on other fabric types, it's best to check the manufacturer's instructions to ensure compatibility.

Transfer Method

Transfer papers can also be categorised based on the transfer method and the type of printer they work with. Inkjet transfer paper is the most common type for home and small business T-shirt printing, as it works with standard inkjet printers and inks. Eco-solvent transfer paper is a good alternative for professional T-shirt printing, compatible with inkjet printers and flatbed or piezoelectric photo printers. Laser transfer paper, as the name suggests, works with laser printers. Sublimation transfer paper, on the other hand, is designed for use with sublimation printer systems and inks.

Other Considerations

When selecting transfer paper, it's essential to follow the manufacturer's instructions and recommendations. For example, some transfer papers require mirroring or reversing the image before printing, while others don't. Additionally, always ensure you're using the correct side of the transfer paper for printing, as some papers have a coated side specifically designed for image transfer. Finally, it's a good idea to test your design on old T-shirts or fabric scraps before printing on your final garment to ensure the desired results.

Mirroring images for light-coloured shirts

Transfer paper designed for light-coloured fabrics creates a mirror image. Therefore, to achieve the desired results, you will need to reverse or mirror the image before printing. Your printer may offer an option for this, or you may need to edit the photo in a photo editor before printing.

If using Microsoft Word or another program that doesn't automatically format light fabric transfers, when you click print, look in the Properties or Preferences dialog for Mirror Image or Reverse Printing. This option varies by printer, so check your printer manufacturer's website for details.

If you are using a different program, open PowerPoint and add your image to a blank slide. Under Format, go to Rotate and select the option to Flip Horizontal. Select File and Save As and save the file as a PNG.

If you are unsure whether the reverse setting worked, print out a test piece on ordinary paper. It should come out as the mirror image of the look you want.

Printing the design

Iron-on transfer paper

This is a budget-friendly and accessible way to create custom T-shirts at home. This method works best with cotton fabrics and requires an inkjet printer, transfer paper, an iron, and a steady hand. It’s a great option for simple designs and small batches.

Here’s how it works:

• Print your design – Remember to mirror the image if you’re using transfer paper for light-colored shirts.
• Prepare your materials – Cut out your design and pre-iron your T-shirt to avoid wrinkles and creases.
• Apply the image – Place the transfer paper face down for light fabrics and face up for dark shirts.
• Iron it on – Apply firm pressure with a hot iron, moving from the centre outwards.
• Peel off the paper – Allow the transfer to cool, then carefully peel off the paper backing. Always wash the T-shirt inside out to protect the design.

Direct-to-garment printing

Invest in a direct-to-garment (DTG) printer for a more high-tech shirt design process. A ready-made fabric printer makes printing custom shirts a breeze and guarantees high consistency and quality.

Similar to iron-on transfer paper, DTG prints on a thin film, which is then applied to an adhesive paper via a heat-press method. The water-based DTG inks captured by the transfer media are then manually pressed into the T-shirt.

Heat transfer vinyl printing

The heat transfer vinyl (HTV) printing method is a great way to make custom shirts at home. It can be an exceptionally durable and aesthetic option for hobbyists applying their designs to multiple fabric types. You can purchase pre-cut vinyl designs or create your own through a roll of heat-transfer vinyl and a cutter.

A roll of HTV only costs a few dollars, but you’ll need a vinyl cutter, too, and those can range from a couple of hundred to thousands of dollars, depending on the model.

The cutters work a lot like printers – they translate your digital art into a working design file, apply it to the rolled-out vinyl, and cut it. For cutting, you’ll also need a weeder – a metal crafting tool that evens out the HTV lines. Finally, finish off with a heat press for the final design application.

Sublimation printing

Sublimation printing uses special inks that integrate entirely into the fabric when applied to heat and pressure, creating one of the most durable and effective printing methods to date. This is an especially popular option in Print on Demand.

Also known as all-over printing (AOP), sublimation can only be applied to polyester shirts or other synthetic fabrics. The higher temperatures involved in the sublimation process damage organic fabrics and do not fully integrate the ink.

For the transfer process, you’ll need a sublimation printer with special inks and sublimation paper.

Screen printing

Screen printing is ideal for a custom T-shirt business that needs a simple but bright T-shirt design printed in bulk. This printing method is really popular and offers a huge range of vibrant colours, ensuring bold, long-lasting designs on the finished shirts.

Print your design stencil on transparent acetate film. Place your blank shirt on the surface under the mesh screen. Put the stencil with your design on top of the mesh screen and press it on the shirt. Push the ink evenly with a squeegee (rubber blade) to cover the entire printing area. Let your finished shirt dry, and use an iron to heat-press the final design, ensuring it lasts.

Cutting out the image

Firstly, make sure you have the right tools for the job. You will need a sharp craft knife, such as an Exacto knife, and a ruler. Place your printed image on a flat, hard surface, and use the ruler to guide your cuts. This will help you achieve straight lines and prevent accidental tears in the paper. Cut slowly and carefully, as rushing may result in uneven edges or mistakes. Take your time, especially when cutting out intricate details or complex shapes.

If your design has odd shapes or complex details, be prepared to take your time and be precise with your cutting. Oddly shaped designs can be more challenging and time-consuming to cut out, but it is definitely achievable with patience and a steady hand.

When cutting, ensure that you cut exactly along the edges of your image. Any excess paper left around the image will show up as a thin film on your T-shirt when you iron it on. This can ruin the final look of your printed T-shirt, so be sure to cut accurately and leave no blank transfer paper behind.

Once you have finished cutting out your image, carefully remove any remaining scraps of paper from the edges. Check your work and make sure there are no stray pieces of paper remaining that could interfere with the transfer process.

Now you are ready to move on to the next step of the T-shirt printing process! Remember, taking your time with the cutting will pay off, and your printed T-shirt will look much better for it.

Frequently asked questions