Creating Custom T-Shirts: The Tracing Paper Method

Creating a custom T-shirt is a fun activity for friends and family and can even be a great DIY project for small businesses. Using transfer paper, you can easily make your own T-shirts at home. All you need to get started is your chosen design, an iron, and an inkjet printer. You can use a printer to print out your chosen design, or simply cut out an image from a magazine. Once you have your image, cover it with plastic wrap and place it on your T-shirt. Then, cover it with parchment paper and iron over it, making sure to iron over the corners. After letting it cool, peel off the parchment paper and hand wash the shirt to preserve the image.

Choosing the right transfer paper

Type of Printer

The first step is to identify the type of printer you have or plan to purchase. The two main types are inkjet and laser printers. Inkjet printers are generally more affordable and ideal for printing photographs as they can produce a full range of colours. Laser printers, on the other hand, excel at printing vector-based art and can also deliver high-quality photo prints, especially with the use of RIP software.

Colour of the T-Shirt

The colour of the t-shirt plays a crucial role in choosing the right transfer paper. Light-coloured t-shirts, including white, natural, light grey, and off-white, require light transfer paper. This type of paper has a transparent polymer coating, allowing the shirt colour to show through any unprinted areas of the design. For dark-coloured shirts, such as black, red, blue, or green, you should opt for dark transfer paper, which has an opaque white polymer coating. This coating ensures that your design transfers as intended, without the shirt colour showing through.

Fabric Type

Most transfer papers are compatible with 100% cotton, 100% polyester, and poly/cotton blends. However, certain types of transfer paper may have specific fabric requirements. For example, 3G Jet Opaque transfer paper is designed to work only on 100% cotton fabric. Therefore, it is essential to check the specifications of the transfer paper to ensure compatibility with the fabric of your t-shirt.

Durability and Washability

If you want your custom design to last through multiple washes, consider using a laser printer with laser heat transfer paper, as they are known for superior washability. Additionally, look for transfer papers that are self-weeding or two-step, which means the excess paper can be easily removed without cutting, resulting in a more durable design.

Size and Complexity of Design

When working with intricate or large designs, it is beneficial to use a transfer tape that is heat resistant. This helps to ensure that your design is correctly positioned and applied to the t-shirt. Additionally, consider the size of the transfer paper itself; for larger designs, you may need A3 or A4-sized paper.

Special Effects

Transfer papers come in various options, including dark, light, and even glitter varieties. If you want to add some sparkle or special effects to your design, consider choosing a transfer paper that offers these features.

In summary, selecting the right transfer paper depends on several factors, including the type of printer, the colour and fabric of the t-shirt, the desired durability, and the size and complexity of your design. By considering these factors, you can ensure that your custom t-shirt project turns out exactly as you envision.

Preparing your t-shirt

Next, take some plastic wrap and cover the picture, folding any excess plastic to the back of the image. Place the wrapped image on your t-shirt, positioning it where you want the image to be. It is recommended to use an ironing board or another flat surface for this step. Once you are happy with the placement, cover the image with parchment paper.

Now you are ready to begin ironing. Make sure the steam setting on the iron is turned off and set the temperature to high. Begin to iron over the image with firm pressure, moving the iron in multiple directions. Be sure to iron over the corners well so that the image does not pill off. Continue ironing for 90-120 seconds, then let the t-shirt cool for 1-2 minutes before carefully peeling off the parchment paper.

To finish, hand wash the t-shirt to preserve the image. Turn the garment inside out and use cold water with a mild detergent. Avoid using bleach and do not tumble dry. Ironing directly onto the transferred area should also be avoided.

Using an iron to transfer the design

Using an iron to transfer your design is a great way to make a custom T-shirt. This method is fun, easy, and safe to do at home. You can use iron-on transfer paper for light or dark-colored fabrics, depending on your T-shirt. It's important to note that dark-colored polyester and nylon garments are not recommended as the dye may migrate into the transfer.

To get started, you will need your iron-on transfer paper and an inkjet printer. Make sure you store your transfer paper in a cool, dry area until you are ready to use it. Design your transfer using software or by hand, ensuring that your design is sized to fit your T-shirt. Once you are happy with your design, print it out, making sure that your printer is feeding the paper correctly. Trim your design, leaving a small border of about 1/4 inch.

Now, set up your ironing station. You will need an ironing board or a flat, heat-resistant surface. Before placing your design on the T-shirt, iron the T-shirt itself to ensure your design applies cleanly. Make sure the steam function on the iron is turned off and set the iron to a high temperature to help the ink transfer.

Next, remove the liner from the transfer paper and place your design face-up on the T-shirt. Cover your design with a sheet of parchment paper. Now, apply the iron with firm pressure, moving it in multiple directions for 90-120 seconds. This will ensure even heat distribution and a strong transfer.

After ironing, let the design cool for about 2 minutes. Then, slowly peel away the parchment paper to reveal your transferred design. To finish, wash the T-shirt once prior to wearing it. Turn the garment inside out, wash in cold water with a mild detergent, and dry on a low-heat setting. Avoid ironing directly on the transferred area to preserve the design.

Washing and care instructions

To make a custom T-shirt using transparent paper, you will need a printer or an image from a magazine, plastic wrap, parchment paper, and an iron. After printing your chosen image, cover it with plastic wrap and place it on the T-shirt. Then, cover it with parchment paper and iron the image onto the T-shirt, making sure to iron the corners well. Once you're done, let it cool for 1-2 minutes and then peel off the parchment paper.

• Hand-wash the T-shirt to preserve the image.
• Avoid using bleach and fabric softeners when washing the T-shirt, as bleach can cause the print to fade, and fabric softeners can leave a residue that affects the print quality.
• Instead, use a mild, eco-friendly detergent that is gentle on the fabric and print.
• Use cold water instead of warm water to wash the T-shirt, as hot water can cause the print to fade and the fabric to shrink.
• Turn the T-shirt inside out before washing to reduce wear and tear on the print from rubbing against surfaces and other clothes during the wash cycle.
• If hand-washing, fill a basin with cold water and add a small amount of gentle detergent. Turn the T-shirt inside out, submerge it in the water, and gently agitate it with your hands.
• Rinse the T-shirt under running water until there is no soap left, and then gently squeeze out the excess water without wringing the fabric.
• Lay the T-shirt flat on a clean, dry surface, such as a towel, to air-dry. Avoid using a dryer, as it can damage the print and cause shrinkage.
• After washing, gently shake the T-shirt to smooth out wrinkles and creases, and then lay it flat to dry, preferably in a shaded place to avoid fading from sunlight exposure.
• Make sure the T-shirt is completely dry before folding or wearing it.
• Store your T-shirts flat, as hanging them can cause the fabric to stretch and the prints to distort.
• Keep the storage area clean, dry, and well-ventilated to prevent mold or mildew buildup.
• Keep your T-shirts away from direct sunlight to preserve the colors and prints for longer.
• Avoid using lint rollers on the printed T-shirts, as the adhesive residue can damage the fabric and leave marks on the print. Instead, use a soft brush or damp cloth to remove dirt or lint.

Designing your t-shirt

The first step in designing your t-shirt is to decide on the image, text, or graphic you want to include. You can search the internet for inspiration or use an image from a magazine. If you're feeling extra creative, you can even design your own graphic using graphic design software or online tools like Canva. Just make sure that your final design is at least 220 PPI to ensure it doesn't appear pixelated when printed.

Once you have your design, you'll need to size it to fit your shirt and print it out, unless you're using an image from a magazine, in which case you can skip the printing step. If you're using an inkjet printer, you can purchase iron-on transfer paper for dark or light-colored fabrics. Remember to review how your printer feeds paper and place your sheets in the tray accordingly, either face-up or face-down.

After printing, trim your design, leaving a 1/4" border. If your design includes text, be sure to proofread it for any typos or errors. You can also ask for feedback from friends or family to get a second opinion before finalizing your design.

If you're using transfer paper, you'll need to store it in a cool, dry area until you're ready to apply it to your t-shirt. It's important to follow the specific instructions provided with your transfer paper, as different types may have varying requirements.

Frequently asked questions