Transfer Tricks: From Computer To T-Shirt Design

Transferring an image from your computer onto a T-shirt is a simple process that can be done at home. All you need is a printer, transfer paper, an iron, and a T-shirt.

First, find or create an image that you want to transfer. If you are using text, remember to flip the image horizontally so that it doesn't appear backward on the T-shirt. Then, print the image onto transfer paper. Cut the image out, place it on the T-shirt, and iron it on.

Choosing the right transfer paper

The type of transfer paper you use can make or break your design. The right transfer paper is about more than aesthetics; it's also about durability, feel, and overall quality. The wrong paper can result in a design that fades quickly, cracks, or doesn't adhere well to the fabric. Therefore, it is crucial to match the transfer paper to the fabric.

Inkjet Transfer Paper

Inkjet transfer paper is perfect for home use as it is compatible with standard inkjet printers. It works well with cotton and cotton-blend fabrics but is less durable on synthetic materials. It is also more affordable and easier to use than other options. However, it is not self-weeding, so you will need to cut around the image before pressing it onto your garment.

Laser Transfer Paper

Laser transfer paper is more expensive but offers high durability and is ideal for polyester and blends. It also tends to be self-weeding, so you don't need to cut around the image. However, it requires a laser printer, and the paper itself is more costly.

Sublimation Paper

If you're working with polyester fabrics, sublimation paper is the way to go. The dye-sublimation process allows the ink to become part of the fabric, resulting in vibrant, long-lasting prints that won't crack or peel over time. However, sublimation paper requires a sublimation printer with sublimation inks, so it's not suitable for standard inkjet printers.

Light vs. Dark Transfer Paper

The colour of your garment will also determine the type of transfer paper you need. Light-coloured garments require light transfer paper, which has a transparent polymer coating. Dark-coloured garments, on the other hand, need dark transfer paper, which has an opaque white polymer coating to ensure your image is visible.

Fabric Type

The fabric type plays a crucial role in choosing the right transfer paper. Cotton, for instance, is generally easy to work with and takes transfer designs well. Polyester, on the other hand, can be trickier to print on due to its synthetic nature. Blends that combine cotton and polyester can be challenging as you need to find a transfer paper that adheres well to both fibres.

Specialty fabrics like spandex, rayon, and nylon often require specialised transfer papers to ensure the print doesn't crack or peel.

Preparing the graphics

The first step in preparing your graphics is to find or create an image that you want to use for your transfer. You can scan an image into your computer, find one on the internet, or create one using software such as Photoshop.

It is important to note that you must have the rights to an image if you are going to reproduce and sell it. If you are using Google, you can adjust your search settings to find images that are safe to use, transfer, and sell.

When choosing your image, keep in mind that transfer images with dark colours usually show up better on fabrics than lighter colours. This is because at-home printers don't print white—they leave that area blank, assuming the paper you are printing on is white. This means that the fabric colour will show through instead of the colour white. If your image has very light colours, they may appear discoloured and distorted when ironed onto the fabric.

Once you have chosen your image, you can use basic image editing software to manipulate it. You can resize the image, add effects, change colours, or make any corrections until it is exactly how you want it.

If your image contains text, it is important to mirror your image so that it is facing the right way when it is transferred onto the fabric. You can do this by using the "Reverse", "Flip Image Horizontally", or "Mirror" commands in your computer software.

Finally, before you print your transfer image onto the transfer paper, it is a good idea to do a test run by printing your image on a regular piece of paper. This will help you ensure that the colours of the image are correct and that your printer will print the entire image.

Printing the transfer

Now that you have your design ready, it's time to print it onto the transfer paper. If you're using transfer paper for light-coloured shirts, remember to mirror or flip the image before printing. This is because the transfer paper for light fabrics creates a mirror image on your shirt. You can usually do this in your printing options or by editing the photo in a photo editor. If you're using transfer paper for dark fabrics, you don't need to mirror the image.

Before printing, check the preview to make sure your image fits onto the transfer paper. If it's too big, select "fit to scale" in the printer's menu or reduce the size of the image. Choose "landscape" in your printing options if your photo is wider than it is tall.

Now, load your transfer paper into the printer. Make sure you're printing on the correct side—the side without any logos or markings. If you're unsure, do a test run with regular paper first.

Once your image is printed, cut around it to ensure no blank transfer paper is left. Any excess paper will leave a shadow on the shirt. You can use a ruler and an Exacto knife to get a clean cut.

Now that your image is ready, it's time to iron it onto the shirt. Place a pillowcase or cotton cloth on a hard, flat surface that can withstand heat. You don't want to damage the surface or interfere with the print. Place your T-shirt on top of the pillowcase and iron it until it's completely flat. Any wrinkles will show up in the transferred image.

Next, place your transfer paper onto the shirt. For light-coloured shirts, place the image face down. For dark-coloured shirts, place the image face up. Make sure the image is straight and centred.

Now, it's time to iron the image onto the shirt. Press the iron firmly over the clothing, applying pressure with your whole hand. Follow the instructions on your transfer paper for how long to iron—it could be anywhere from 30 seconds to a few minutes. Try not to move the iron around too much to maintain even, constant heat over the entire image.

Finally, remove the iron and let the image and T-shirt cool for a few minutes. Once it's reached room temperature, carefully peel off the transfer paper to reveal your design. Congratulations! You've just printed your first shirt using the iron-on transfer method.

Testing the transfer paper

Print a Test Page:

Before printing your final design on the transfer paper, it is recommended to do a test print on regular paper. This will help you ensure that the colours, size, and orientation of your design are correct. By printing on a regular piece of paper, you can check if there are any issues that need to be addressed before printing on the transfer paper.

Check the Paper Type:

Transfer paper usually comes in two types: one for light-coloured fabrics and the other for dark-coloured fabrics. Light transfer paper is meant for white, yellow, light grey, and other light-coloured fabrics. It is transparent, so any white areas in your design will appear clear once ironed onto the shirt. Dark transfer paper, on the other hand, has a white backing to make light colours stand out on dark fabrics. Make sure you choose the correct type of transfer paper for your fabric to get the best results.

Mirror the Image:

If you are printing on light-coloured fabric, you will need to mirror or flip your image horizontally before printing. This is important to ensure that your design appears the correct way round on the fabric. Check your image editing software for "mirror image", "reverse image", or "flip image horizontally" options. Print your image as a mirror image to avoid transferring it backwards onto the fabric.

Set Up the Printer:

Properly set up your printer to ensure the transfer paper is loaded correctly. Place the transfer paper in the printer tray with the correct side facing up. The printing side is usually unmarked, while the back side may have some design or markings. If you are unsure, do a test run with a normal piece of paper. Draw an "X" on one side and run it through the printer to see which side gets printed on.

Print the Design:

Now, you can print your design onto the transfer paper. Make sure you have set the printer to the correct paper type and the highest quality setting. Also, ensure that you have selected the correct size and orientation for your print. After printing, let the ink dry completely before handling the transfer paper.

Check the Transfer:

Once the ink is dry, carefully inspect the printed design on the transfer paper. Check if the colours are correct and if there are any smudges or missing areas in the print. Also, verify that the design is the correct size and has been printed in the right position on the paper. If there are any issues, adjust your printer settings and print again on a new sheet of transfer paper.

By following these steps, you can effectively test your transfer paper and ensure that your design will be transferred accurately and successfully onto your T-shirt.

Applying the transfer

Now that you have your design printed on transfer paper, it's time to apply it to your t-shirt.

Place your t-shirt on a flat, hard surface, like a table, and iron out any creases. Make sure the surface is heat-resistant and large enough to iron the entire area of the transfer.

Peel the backing off the transfer paper, and place the transfer onto the t-shirt in the location you want the design.

Place a soft kitchen towel, terry cloth towel, or parchment paper on top of the transfer. Then, place the hot iron on top of the towel and work in a circular motion from the middle of the transfer to the edges. Be sure to apply even pressure for about 3 minutes.

Allow the transfer to cool completely, then gently peel off the parchment paper, starting at one corner.

Caring for your transferred t-shirt

Wait at least 24 hours after applying the transfer before washing your t-shirt. Wash and dry on a cool setting, and turn the t-shirt inside out for added protection.

Hand washing your t-shirt with light detergent and hang drying it will also help the transferred image last longer.

Frequently asked questions