Difference between revisions of "Print on T‐Shirts"
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| − | + | Printing designs onto T-shirts is an involved process. But not always a difficult one once you've had some practice. Transfer printing is a good choice for a one-time project. Screen printing requires more specialized supplies but allows you to print many shirts from a single image. Inkodye is another option for quick one-time printing that's more substantial than iron on prints. | |
[[Category:Fabric Printing]] | [[Category:Fabric Printing]] | ||
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#Purchase T-shirt transfer paper. Transfer paper can be found anywhere you can buy stationary or printer paper. There are two types of transfer paper, one suitable for white or pastel shirts, and one suitable for all darker colors. | #Purchase T-shirt transfer paper. Transfer paper can be found anywhere you can buy stationary or printer paper. There are two types of transfer paper, one suitable for white or pastel shirts, and one suitable for all darker colors. | ||
#*Most transfer paper is the same size as your regular printer paper (Letter size or A4 depending on your country). Before purchasing an unusual size, make sure your printer can handle it. | #*Most transfer paper is the same size as your regular printer paper (Letter size or A4 depending on your country). Before purchasing an unusual size, make sure your printer can handle it. | ||
| − | #*Light transfer paper is used for light or white shirts. <ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykb7I-pJDcI</ref> | + | #*Light transfer paper is used for light or white shirts. <ref name="rf1">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykb7I-pJDcI</ref> |
#*Dark transfer paper is used for any shirt that is darker. | #*Dark transfer paper is used for any shirt that is darker. | ||
#Select an image. You can use any image saved on your computer. | #Select an image. You can use any image saved on your computer. | ||
#*If you only have the image in a physical form, [[Scan-Photos|scan it]] and save it to your computer as a jpeg file. Alternatively, take a photograph and transfer it to your computer. | #*If you only have the image in a physical form, [[Scan-Photos|scan it]] and save it to your computer as a jpeg file. Alternatively, take a photograph and transfer it to your computer. | ||
| − | #Mirror the image for light-colored shirts. Transfer paper for light-colored paper creates a mirror image on your shirt. Look for a "reverse" or "mirror" setting in the print options window, or flip your image in MS Paint or another image editing program. <ref>http://www.photopaperdirect.com/blog/?p=422</ref> If you skip this step, all text in your design will be unreadable. | + | #Mirror the image for light-colored shirts. Transfer paper for light-colored paper creates a mirror image on your shirt. Look for a "reverse" or "mirror" setting in the print options window, or flip your image in MS Paint or another image editing program. <ref name="rf2">http://www.photopaperdirect.com/blog/?p=422</ref> If you skip this step, all text in your design will be unreadable. |
#*Do not reverse the image if you are using transfer paper for darker shirts. This type of transfer paper transfers the image exactly as it appears. | #*Do not reverse the image if you are using transfer paper for darker shirts. This type of transfer paper transfers the image exactly as it appears. | ||
#*If you're not sure 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. | #*If you're not sure 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. | ||
#Print your design onto the paper. Before printing, check the preview to confirm that the image fits onto your paper. If it's too large, select "fit to scale" in the print options, or scale it down in an image editing program. | #Print your design onto the paper. Before printing, check the preview to confirm that the image fits onto your paper. If it's too large, select "fit to scale" in the print options, or scale it down in an image editing program. | ||
| − | #*When printing with your transfer paper, you need the right kind of printer like an Inkjet printer. <ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us7yI6VjdUg</ref> | + | #*When printing with your transfer paper, you need the right kind of printer like an Inkjet printer. <ref name="rf3">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us7yI6VjdUg</ref> |
#*If the two sides of your transfer paper look different, print onto the blank side. One side may have a logo, design, or thermal indicators on it. | #*If the two sides of your transfer paper look different, print onto the blank side. One side may have a logo, design, or thermal indicators on it. | ||
#*Switch to "landscape mode" if the image is wider than it is tall. | #*Switch to "landscape mode" if the image is wider than it is tall. | ||
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#*Use a surface that can withstand heat. Don't try to iron over a laminate countertop. A cutting board can also work. | #*Use a surface that can withstand heat. Don't try to iron over a laminate countertop. A cutting board can also work. | ||
#Set your iron. Check the instructions that came with your transfer paper to find out which settings work best for your product. If no advice is listed, select the "cotton" or high-temperature setting; select "dry" or turn off the steam; empty all water out of the iron. Give the iron a few minutes to warm up. | #Set your iron. Check the instructions that came with your transfer paper to find out which settings work best for your product. If no advice is listed, select the "cotton" or high-temperature setting; select "dry" or turn off the steam; empty all water out of the iron. Give the iron a few minutes to warm up. | ||
| − | #*For best results, use an iron with at least 1200 watts of power.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXCh6rW2LbY</ref> | + | #*For best results, use an iron with at least 1200 watts of power.<ref name="rf4">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXCh6rW2LbY</ref> |
#[[Iron|Iron the shirt]]. Place the shirt over the pillowcase. Iron it until it is completely flat. Any wrinkles will show up in the transferred image. | #[[Iron|Iron the shirt]]. Place the shirt over the pillowcase. Iron it until it is completely flat. Any wrinkles will show up in the transferred image. | ||
#*Wash and dry the T-shirt first if necessary. | #*Wash and dry the T-shirt first if necessary. | ||
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#Select a black and white image. You need a black and white image because the black will block out the light allowing your design to show up on your silk screen. | #Select a black and white image. You need a black and white image because the black will block out the light allowing your design to show up on your silk screen. | ||
#*This printing method can only print black images onto the shirt. If you have a color image in mind, [[Convert-a-Color-Photo-to-Black-and-White-Using-Photoshop|convert it into black and white]] using Microsoft Word, Photoshop, or another photo editing application. | #*This printing method can only print black images onto the shirt. If you have a color image in mind, [[Convert-a-Color-Photo-to-Black-and-White-Using-Photoshop|convert it into black and white]] using Microsoft Word, Photoshop, or another photo editing application. | ||
| − | #Print the image onto a transparency. You can purchase acetate paper from specialized screen printing supply stores, but clear transparency sheets from office supply stores work fine. Print the image onto the transparency sheet. <ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5IxppzVQ0Y</ref> | + | #Print the image onto a transparency. You can purchase acetate paper from specialized screen printing supply stores, but clear transparency sheets from office supply stores work fine. Print the image onto the transparency sheet. <ref name="rf5">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5IxppzVQ0Y</ref> |
#*Low-quality printers may not make the image completely opaque, which can lead to a messy image on the shirt. If necessary, take the transparencies to a copy store instead. | #*Low-quality printers may not make the image completely opaque, which can lead to a messy image on the shirt. If necessary, take the transparencies to a copy store instead. | ||
#*Some transparency sheets will shrink or warp when they go through the printer. Buy a small pack to start with, so you can switch to a different brand if the first attempt doesn't work out. | #*Some transparency sheets will shrink or warp when they go through the printer. Buy a small pack to start with, so you can switch to a different brand if the first attempt doesn't work out. | ||
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#Set up a light station. The photo emulsion allows you to "burn" an image onto your screen when exposed to light. Clear a space for the screen under a bright source of light. Direct outdoor sunlight can work in the late morning or early afternoon. | #Set up a light station. The photo emulsion allows you to "burn" an image onto your screen when exposed to light. Clear a space for the screen under a bright source of light. Direct outdoor sunlight can work in the late morning or early afternoon. | ||
#*Place a black garbage bag or cloth under your screen for best results. | #*Place a black garbage bag or cloth under your screen for best results. | ||
| − | #*Alternatively use a 150-watt incandescent bulb, or a specialized "photo flood" bulb for a shorter exposure time. <ref>http://www.dharmatrading.com/home/screen-printing-101-lil-blue-boo-photo-emulsion-tutorial.html</ref> | + | #*Alternatively use a 150-watt incandescent bulb, or a specialized "photo flood" bulb for a shorter exposure time. <ref name="rf6">http://www.dharmatrading.com/home/screen-printing-101-lil-blue-boo-photo-emulsion-tutorial.html</ref> |
#*You can purchase a specialized image burning machine for faster results. | #*You can purchase a specialized image burning machine for faster results. | ||
| − | #Prepare the screen and image. Set this up before you remove the screen from the dark room. Place these items on top of each other in the following order:<ref | + | #Prepare the screen and image. Set this up before you remove the screen from the dark room. Place these items on top of each other in the following order:<ref name="rf6" /> |
#*A large piece of cardboard or a large tray. | #*A large piece of cardboard or a large tray. | ||
#*A piece of black fabric, to reduce reflection. | #*A piece of black fabric, to reduce reflection. | ||
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#*If you don’t want any extra inked area around your photo, use a frame that’s slightly smaller than your image. A smaller frame ensures that the ink won’t bleed out passed your photo. | #*If you don’t want any extra inked area around your photo, use a frame that’s slightly smaller than your image. A smaller frame ensures that the ink won’t bleed out passed your photo. | ||
#*Make sure not to tape the image down. It will get stuck. And run your fingernail along the taped edges if you used tape you ensure there are no gaps. | #*Make sure not to tape the image down. It will get stuck. And run your fingernail along the taped edges if you used tape you ensure there are no gaps. | ||
| − | #Pour your Inkodye into a bowl.<ref>http://www.inkodye.com/</ref> Make sure to shake the bottle well before pouring the ink. | + | #Pour your Inkodye into a bowl.<ref name="rf7">http://www.inkodye.com/</ref> Make sure to shake the bottle well before pouring the ink. |
#*Make sure that your bowl isn’t absorbent, you don’t want the dye seeping into it. | #*Make sure that your bowl isn’t absorbent, you don’t want the dye seeping into it. | ||
#*Try to do this in a ventilated room that isn’t exposed to a lot of natural light. | #*Try to do this in a ventilated room that isn’t exposed to a lot of natural light. | ||
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== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
*If the image on your screen has any holes in it, cover it with masking tape on the flush side. | *If the image on your screen has any holes in it, cover it with masking tape on the flush side. | ||
| − | *Before washing your transfer-printed shirt, check the instructions that came with the transfer paper. You may need to limit washing to certain settings. Some transfer paper comes with silicone paper, which can be ironed over the image to fasten it further and allow for safer washing.<ref | + | *Before washing your transfer-printed shirt, check the instructions that came with the transfer paper. You may need to limit washing to certain settings. Some transfer paper comes with silicone paper, which can be ironed over the image to fasten it further and allow for safer washing.<ref name="rf4" /> |
== Warnings == | == Warnings == | ||
