Designs can be printed onto T-shirts through various processes. This process can be done easily after some practice. Transfer printing is a great choice for one-time projects. Screen printing requires more specialized equipment but allows for mass printing. Inkodye is another option for single-print t-shirts that works better than ironing an image onto a t-shirt.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Printing on Transfer Paper
Step 1. Purchase transfer paper
Transfer paper can be found at office supply or printer paper stores. There are two types of transfer paper, one for white or pastel clothes, and another for dark clothes.
- Most transfer papers are the same size as regular printing paper (letter or A4 size depending on your country). Before buying an unusual size, make sure the paper will work in your printer.
- Bright transfer paper can be used on white or bright T-shirts.
- Dark transfer paper can be used on shirts that are dark in color.
Step 2. Select an image
You can use images that are on your computer.
If the image you want to print is in physical form, it must be scanned and saved to the computer in jpeg format. Otherwise, take a photo of the image and send the digital file to your computer
Step 3. Mirror the image for a brightly colored t-shirt
Transfer paper for bright color paper produces a mirror image on the shirt. Look for a " reverse " or " mirror " setting option in the printing options window, or reverse the image with MS Paint or another image manipulation program. If you skip this step, all the text in the image will be unreadable.
- Do not invert the image if using transfer paper for a dark t-shirt. This transfer paper transfers the image as it appears.
- If you are not sure that the settings have inverted the image, run a test print on plain paper. The test print image should be reversed as desired.
Step 4. Print your design onto paper
Before printing, check the review to make sure the image size fits the paper. If it's too big, select " fit to scale " in the print options, or reduce it with an image manipulation program.
- When printing with transfer paper, you must use a suitable printing press, such as Inkjet.
- If the two sides of your transfer paper look different, print on the blank side. One side may have a logo, or a design, or a temperature gauge printed on it.
- Switch to “landscape” mode if the width of the image is greater than its height.
Step 5. Crop the image
Any paper left around the image will appear as a thin film on the shirt. To create a clean t-shirt image, cut the image out of paper.
For an accurate cut, use a ruler and an Exacto knife
Step 6. Cover a hard, flat surface with a cotton pillowcase
Clean the table then wipe and dry if needed. Spread the cotton pillowcase on the table surface as wide as the area of the image to be printed onto the t-shirt.
- Most ironing boards are unsuitable for use because of the iron bars or grating on the surface.
- Use a heat-resistant surface. Do not iron on a plastic table. A cutting board can also be used.
Step 7. Prepare your iron
Check the instructions that came with the transfer paper and find the one that works best for your product. If no suggestion is given, choose “cotton” or after high temperature; select “dry” (dry) or turn off the steam iron; empty the water from the iron. Let the iron be a few minutes until it gets a little hot.
For best results, use an iron that uses at least 1,200 watts of power
Step 8. Iron your shirt
Place the T-shirt on top of the pillowcase. Iron until the shirt is completely flat. All wrinkles and creases will appear on the transfer paper.
Wash and dry the shirt first if needed
Step 9. Place the paper on top of the shirt
If the transfer paper used for the T-shirt is bright, place the paper with the image face down. If the transfer paper for the T-shirt is dark, the image is placed face up. Align the image with the neckline of the shirt so that it fits in the center.
Since the image is facing down, the image on the transferred shirt will not be reversed
Step 10. Iron the image onto the shirt
Press the iron firmly against the garment with both hands so that the pressure is firm.
- Iron the image for 30 seconds to several minutes, depending on the instructions provided with the transfer paper.
- The iron is continuously moved to ensure that the heat is evenly distributed throughout the paper.
- Some types of transfer paper have a temperature indicator that will change when the area is hot enough.
Step 11. Allow the ironing area to cool and peel off the paper
Let it cool for a few minutes, until the paper comes to room temperature.
Peel off the paper to reveal the image underneath
Method 2 of 3: Transferring Images with Photo Emulsion Screen Printing
Step 1. Choose a black and white image
You need a black and white image because black will block out light so the design appears on your silk screen.
This method can only print a black image onto your t-shirt. If the image has another color, convert it to black and white using Microsoft Word, Photoshop, or another image manipulation program
Step 2. Print the image onto the transparency
You can buy acetate paper from a specialty screen printing supply store, but clear transparency sheets from an office supply store will work as well. Print the image onto the transparency.
- A low-quality printer may not be able to completely opaque the image so the image on the shirt will be messy. If needed, take the transparency to the printer.
- Some transparency papers will shrink or wrinkle as they pass through the printer. Buy a small pack in advance so you can switch brands if the first try doesn't work.
Step 3. Apply photo emulsion on screen printing
This material can be purchased online or at major craft stores, often as part of a screen printing kit. Print both sides of the screen with photo emulsion, using a squeegee to spread a thin, even layer over the entire surface of the transparency sheet.
- Wear gloves when handling photo emulsion.
- You may also need to stretch out the trash bag so your table or other surfaces don't get painted.
- Cover a slightly larger area of your photo and spread the emulsion evenly. You should no longer be able to see through the screen.
Step 4. Dry the screen in a dark room
Leave the screen in a dark, cool area. Allow a few hours for the photo emulsion to dry.
Alternatively, point the fan at the screen to speed up the drying process
Step 5. Set the light station
Photo emulsions cause images to “burn” onto the screen when exposed to light. Allow space for the screen to dry under a bright light source. Direct sunlight can be used in the afternoon or evening.
- Place a black trash bag or cloth under the screen for best results.
- You can also use a 150 watt bulb, or a special “photo flood” bulb to shorten the exposure time.
- You can purchase a dedicated image burning engine for the fastest results.
Step 6. Prepare the screen and image
Prepare everything before taking the screen from the light station. Place these items on top of each other in the following order:
- Large cardboard or large tray.
- Black fabric to reduce reflections.
- A screen that has been set up with the flat side of the screen facing up.
- Transparency image, face down and attached to the screen with insulation.
- Glass, Lucite, or Plexiglass
Step 7. Expose the image on the light station
Timing in this step is quite difficult because it is very dependent on the intensity of the light. Rarely is the result satisfactory on the first try. Usually, the image is finished when the photo emulsion has turned to a dull gray-green color.
Check the photo emulsion product instructions because the drying time ranges from 2-90 minutes depending on the light intensity
Step 8. Wash the screen
Take the glass and transparency and take the screen to the sink or water hose immediately. Apply a strong spray of cold water for a few minutes on the sides of the screen. Transparency paper inks block light from entering the photo emulsion so it doesn't harden. Keep spraying until all the wet emulsion is rinsed off so that all that's left is your pattern.
- If all the emulsion is washed off, try drying it a little longer.
- If none of the emulsion has washed off after a few minutes, use a photo emulsion cleaner on the screen and try to dry it again for a while.
Step 9. Print onto your t-shirt
The screen is now reusable. Transfer the image to the t-shirt with:
- Put a piece of cardboard or other protection inside the shirt so it doesn't seep to the underside.
- Add a small amount of screen printing ink on top of the screen, and pull it with a squeegee (ink spreader) to form a thin layer. Repeat several times to ensure an even layer.
- Lift the screen and make sure the shirt doesn't move/shift.
Step 10. Heat the shirt
Most screen printing inks should be ironed onto the shirt on a hot and dry setting. Other inks must be dried for an hour in the sun, or in an ultraviolet dryer.
- Check the ink label for special instructions before heating printing ink.
- When the image is dry, the t-shirt is ready to wear!
Method 3 of 3: Printing T-shirts with Inkodye
Step 1. Spread the t-shirt on a flat surface and iron it
For best results, iron the shirt so it's smooth and doesn't wrinkle. Wrinkles and creases will interfere with ink transfer.
- Inkodye works best on cotton T-shirts. Therefore, don't forget to set the ironing setting to “cotton.”
- Iron the shirt until all the wrinkles are gone, especially on and around the area where the image will be placed.
- Use dry ironing mode without steam.
Step 2. Insert a piece of cork or cardboard into the t-shirt
Place the cardboard inside the shirt and iron the area again.
Cardboard is suitable because the surface is flat and the ink does not seep through to the side of the shirt underneath. Also, the cardboard is simply thrown away when you're done
Step 3. Create a frame where the image will be placed
You can use a cardboard or plastic frame made of it or just use blue painter tape to cover the area.
- The area inside the frame is where you will paint with the ink. This frame ensures that no ink escapes the area.
- If you don't want any extra inked area around the photo, use a frame that is slightly smaller than the size of the image. The smaller frame ensures no ink seeps over the photo.
- Make sure the image does not stick together because it will stick together. Also, trace the edges of the tape with your fingernail to make sure there are no gaps.
Step 4. Pour the Inkodye into a bowl
Make sure the bottle is shaken before pouring the ink.
- Make sure your bowl doesn't absorb so the paint doesn't seep inside.
- Do it in a ventilated room that is not exposed to a lot of natural light.
- 2.5 tablespoons of ink can coat a 27.5x27.5 cm cotton T-shirt.
Step 5. Apply Inkodye to your t-shirt
Coat the brush and roller with paint. Use the rim of the bowl to reduce excess paint on the brush so it doesn't drip or clump.
- Apply the paint evenly to the desired area of the shirt. Don't get your shirt wet.
- Inkodye is fairly transparent so pay close attention to the amount of paint applied.
- Once you've lined the desired area, take a tissue paper and sweep the area to remove any excess paint.
Step 6. Take the frame to see the painted area
Once the area of the shirt is covered with paint, the frame is no longer needed.
You can leave the frame sticking if you're using tape and feel that some of the paint may have seeped off
Step 7. Place your negative on the inked part of the shirt
You can press your negative onto the t-shirt so it sticks to the painted area.
- Smooth the area with your hands. It's best if the negative touches all the painted parts.
- Use tweezers on the edge of your negative to keep it from shifting.
- Alternatively, you can put a piece of acetate on top of your negative.
Step 8. Expose your prints to direct sunlight
Now you want to take your shirt with the negative outside and let it dry in the sun for the image to transfer.
- Expose your prints to direct sunlight for 10-15 minutes.
- It's best to do this process between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., when the sun is very hot.
- You may have to expose the prints longer if the weather is cloudy.
- After about 5 minutes the image will appear to start to darken.
Step 9. Take the negative
It's best to let the negatives out in a not-so-lit room.
Negatives taken in low light will keep the prints from sticking
Step 10. Wash your t-shirt, it's best to wash it in the washing machine, but feel free to wash it by hand
- Excess inktodye will be removed from the shirt after washing and your print will look new and fresh.
- Use warm water for best results.
- You may need to wash it twice to remove any residue.
- The clean t-shirt is ready to wear!
Tips
- If the image on the screen has holes, cover them with masking tape on the seepage side.
- Before washing your printed t-shirt, check the instructions that came with the transfer paper. You can limit washing to after a certain time. Some transfer papers are sold with silicone paper which can be ironed over the image to preserve the image and be washable.
Warning
- Do not touch the image until it is completely dry.
- Never touch the iron.
- Do not use one transfer paper twice.
The Things You Need
Transfer Printing
- Printer
- Computer
- Transfer paper
- Scissors
- Plain cotton t-shirt (preferably 100% cotton)
- clothes iron
- Hard and flat surface for moving images
- Pillowcase (preferably made of cotton)
screen printing
- photo emulsion
- Screen printing
- Transparency/acetate sheet
- Squeegee (ink spreader)
- light source
- Cardboard or tray
- Black cloth
- Glass, Lucite, or Plexiglass
- Gloves
- Water hose or large sink
- Screen printing ink
- Iron
