It is possible to design your own T-shirts by printing designs onto T-shirts. It might be difficult to get used to the printing methods at first, but with practice, it will become easier. The best method for one-time printing is transfer printing. A single image can be used to print many shirts using screen printing. It requires more specialized supplies t shirt bedrucken however. An alternative option to iron-on prints is Inkodye, a quick one-time printing solution that is more substantial.
Choosing Your Favourite Design
It is likely you already have an idea of which image you want to use if you are reading this guide. Remember, however, that not every design will work for your needs. You need a high-quality design to produce a high-quality shirt. The design won’t likely look good on a shirt if it is pixelated, too small or lacks detail. Make sure the image is detailed, clear, and crisp. While it is possible to edit your design digitally, editing cannot replace a high-quality image in the first place.
Choose a Shirt Color
A color shirt is one of the most important considerations when printing designs on shirts. A shirt’s color determines what type of transfer paper you need to use (see next section for more information on that). Your design will be lost on a light-colored shirt if it consists mostly of light colors.
Printing on Transfer Paper – How to Print
- Purchase transfer paper for T-shirts– Method
One of the most popular methods of dye sublimation printing uses transfer paper. There is special heat transfer paper available wherever you can buy stationery or printer paper. Transfer paper is available in two types, one for whites and pastels, and one for dark colors.
- In dye sublimation printing, an image is printed then infused with heat onto a surface, like a T-shirt.
- Most transfer papers are the same size as your regular printer paper (Letter or A4, depending on your country). Check your printer’s capabilities before purchasing an unusual size.
- White or light-colored shirts require light transfer paper.
- Any shirt that is darker requires dark transfer paper.
- Make sure your T-shirt design is of high quality
Any image saved on your computer will do.
- Scan the image if it is only available in a physical form, and save it to your computer as a JPEG. If you don’t have a scanner, take a photograph.
- You should only use your original designs or photos if you’re going to sell the shirts through your own online T-shirt business.
- Print your design on paper
Ensure that the image fits on your paper by checking the preview before printing. Use the “fit to scale” print option, or reduce the size in an image editing program if it’s too large.
- You need an inkjet printer to print with your transfer paper.
- Print onto the blank side if the two sides of your transfer paper look different. Logos, designs, and thermal indicators may be printed on one side.
- If the image has a wider width than height, switch it to “landscape mode.”
- Remove the image
The shirt will show a thin film of paper around the image. You should cut it out to produce a clean image.
- Use an Exacto knife and a ruler to make accurate cuts.
- Put a cotton pillowcase over a hard& flat surface
If necessary, clean and dry the table or countertop. Over this surface, layout an area of your T-shirt that will be printed with a cotton pillowcase.
- Metal bars or grating on most ironing boards make them unsuitable.
- You should use a heat-resistant surface. Avoid ironing on laminate countertops. Cutlery can be used instead of surfaces.
- Use your iron as a heat press
You can find out which settings will work best for your product by checking the instructions that come with your transfer paper. If you do not see any advice, select the “cotton” or high-temperature setting; switch to “dry” or turn off the steam; drain out all the water. Wait for the iron to warm up.
- You should use an iron with a power of at least 1200 watts for the best results.
- The shirt should be ironed
Cover the pillowcase with the shirt. The shirt should be ironed completely flat. If the shirt has wrinkles, the image will appear distorted.
- The T-shirt should be washed and dried before use.
- Put the paper on the shirt
Turn the image to the bottom if you’re using transfer paper for light shirts. Place the image face up if you’re using transfer paper for dark shirts. Line up the center of the image with the center of the neckline of your shirt.
- By laying the image face down, the image will be transferred so that it is not mirrored when it is transferred to your shirt.
- Transfer the image to the shirt
You should apply significant pressure to the iron by pressing it firmly over the clothing with your whole hand. Using the iron as a heat press, the image is transferred to the shirt.
- Peel off the paper after the area has cooled
Cool the paper for at least a few minutes, until it reaches room temperature. Your own custom shirt is now ready!
- You can now peel the paper off to reveal it.
