Ironing prints on t-shirts is an excellent and easy way to personalize your clothes.
You can print images or photos to personalize clothing as a gift for someone, for any special event or for yourself as a unique fashion item of clothing.
So if you wonder how to transfer a picture onto a shirt keep reading this tutorial, here you will learn two 100% effective methods to print t-shirts at home.
Let’s get started!
How to transfer a picture onto a shirt (with transfer paper)
There are many ways to transfer images onto a T-shirt. Although the process may seem complex, printing t-shirts is easier than you think and with practice you’ll be done in just a few minutes.
If you want to get the best results, be sure to follow this step-by-step diy iron on transfer tutorial.
Materials list:
- T shirt
- An image that you want to stamp (photos, images or logos)
- Transfer paper
- Iron
- Table or ironing board
- Scissor
- Inkjet printer
Step by step tutorial
Gather all the materials before you start and prepare your work area!
Step 1
Choose the t-shirt you want to stamp, the transfer paper you have to use will depend on it.
Once you have selected the shirt, wash it by hand or in the machine. Let it dry, and then iron the shirt to remove any wrinkles from the fabric.Step 2
The transfer paper you have to use depends on the color of the shirt you have selected.
There are two types of transfer paper: one for white or light colored t-shirts and another suitable for darker colors.Step 3
Select a high-quality image for your t-shirt design. You can use an image that you have found online, a logo or even a picture that you have taken with your camera.
If you use transfer paper for light colors, remember that before printing the image you will need to set the print to “mirror” or “reverse” mode or flip your image horizontally in an image editing program.
If you use transfer paper for dark colors you do not need to flip the image.Step 4
Set the paper size and print your design or photo using an inkjet printer.
Once you have your print ready, cut out the excess paper.Step 5
Lay the shirt flat on an ironing board or on a hard, heat-resistant surface covered by a cotton fabric cover. Remember that the shirt should not have any wrinkles.
Turn the iron on and turn the steam setting off. Let the iron heat up for a few minutes.Step 6
Place the transfer paper cutout on the t-shirt in the place where you want to stamp the image.
If you are using transfer paper for light colors, place the image face down. Instead, if you are using transfer paper for dark colors, place the image face up.Step 7
Iron on the transfer paper cutout for the time indicated in the manufacturer’s instructions or for approximately 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Press down firmly on the iron so that the heat reaches all the edges of the image. Try not to move the iron as much as you normally would when ironing clothes.Step 8
Let the shirt and paper cool, then remove the transfer paper.
You can try peeling off a corner of the paper to verify that the entire image has transferred to the shirt.
Done, you already have your printed and personalized t-shirt!
How to transfer a picture onto a shirt (NO transfer paper)
If you wonder how to put a picture on a shirt without transfer paper you are in the right place! Because if you can’t get transfer paper, there is no need to worry, here I will also explain how you can get good prints without using transfer paper.
You can do it with a material that you surely have in your house: cling film. This method is cheap, fast and easy to carry out, but the quality of the print will not be the best, it may come off with washing or with daily use.
Materials list:
- T shirt
- An image that you want to stamp (photos, images or logos)
- Iron
- Table or ironing board
- Scissor
- Inkjet printer
- Cling film
- Parchment paper
Step by step tutorial
Gather all the materials before you start and prepare your work area!
Step 1
Choose the t-shirt you want to print. Wash it by hand or in the washing machine and wait until it is dry.
Once dry, iron the shirt to remove any wrinkles.Step 2
Select a high-quality image for your t-shirt design. You can use an image that you have found online, a logo or also a photo that you have taken with your camera.Step 3
Set the paper size and print your design or photo with an inkjet printer on plain paper. You should not use the parchment paper or cling film yet.
Once you have your print ready, use the scissors to cut the image around the outline to remove any excess paper.Step 4
Wrap the image in cling film and fold the corners to the back to cover the back as well. Yes, it is very important to cover the image front and back!
Make sure that you cover all the edges of the image so that it will adhere properly to the fabric of the t-shirt later.Step 5
Lay the shirt flat on an ironing board or on a hard, heat-resistant surface covered by a cotton fabric cover. Remember that the shirt should not have any wrinkles.
Turn on the iron and turn off the steam setting. Let the iron heat up for a few minutes.Step 6
Place the image on the t-shirt where you want it to be transferred. For example, you can place it in the center, on the side, in the front or in the back.
Once you’ve decided on the location, place parchment paper over the cutout. The parchment paper will keep the cling film from melting and sticking to the iron.Step 7
Start ironing over the parchment paper for a few minutes.
Press down firmly on the iron so that the heat reaches all the edges of the image. Try not to move the iron as much as you normally would when ironing clothes.
Once you feel the cling film has completely melted, remove the iron and check the print.Step 8
Done, you already have your image stamped on the shirt!
Remember to wash this t-shirt by hand, without rubbing the printed image to avoid damaging it.
Now you know how to put a picture on a shirt!
I hope that with these two tutorials you have learned how to transfer a picture onto a shirt. Both methods are 100% effective if you follow the step by step.
Now you can print your clothes in the comfort of your home and show off custom designs!