20 steps to making a custom shirt using DARK transfers - "how-to" procedures

[muffinator]

Thanks for your answer! Guess I'll be skipping that step! Thankfully it's optional! lol

 

[heartbeeps]

Thanks for your answer! Guess I'll be skipping that step! Thankfully it's optional! lol

you're welcome!

 

[RustManFan]

bump for new T-shirt makers!

 

[heartbeeps]

bump for new T-shirt makers!

thanks!

 

[KarenW]

Anyone use this paper - Jet Opaque™ (Orange Back)? It is from a seller on and he claims it is the best on the market. I won a $25 gc from a sweepstake that held and so I would like to use that to order. Free is always good, but not if the product stinks! Thanks.

ETA: I think I'll start a new thread for this question - I believe it has gotten lost at the end of this one!

 

[heartbeeps]

Anyone use this paper - Jet Opaque™ (Orange Back)? It is from a seller on and he claims it is the best on the market. I won a $25 gc from a sweepstake that held and so I would like to use that to order. Free is always good, but not if the product stinks! Thanks.

ETA: I think I'll start a new thread for this question - I believe it has gotten lost at the end of this one!

I concur - start a new thread on this question!

 

[KarenW]

I concur - start a new thread on this question!

I did - no one answered. I guess no one has used them. I found some reviews on another site and they seemed to really like them, so I went ahead and ordered them.

 

[dd50]

I just read through all 24 pages. I have a question that didn't get answered. If you don't have parchment paper can you use wax paper?

I see that it is mentioned that HP or Avery is better. Where can I find them. I am going to use dark transfer paper. I would have ordered from AmyMickey but I am a procrastinator and leaving on Saturday.


I keep seeing questions about the vinegar rinse. I have been doing this for years and you don't smell the vinegar. It is much better than fabric softener because it does the same thing cheaper and with no chemicals. I learned that trick in the 80's when black jeans came out. They would fade so fast and 2 months later you had gray jeans. As I couldn't afford to get them dry cleaned all the time some one told me about the vinegar and it really works. It sets the color so the fabrics don't fade and cuts the soap that is left on clothes.

 

[M_I_C_K_E_Y]

I just read through all 24 pages. I have a question that didn't get answered. If you don't have parchment paper can you use wax paper?

I see that it is mentioned that HP or Avery is better. Where can I find them. I am going to use dark transfer paper. I would have ordered from AmyMickey but I am a procrastinator and leaving on Saturday.


I keep seeing questions about the vinegar rinse. I have been doing this for years and you don't smell the vinegar. It is much better than fabric softener because it does the same thing cheaper and with no chemicals. I learned that trick in the 80's when black jeans came out. They would fade so fast and 2 months later you had gray jeans. As I couldn't afford to get them dry cleaned all the time some one told me about the vinegar and it really works. It sets the color so the fabrics don't fade and cuts the soap that is left on clothes.

NOT wax paper - use Parchment paper. I believe that if you use wax paper it will melt onto your iron. You can find the parchment paper in the baking section in grocery stores or with the tin foil.

 

[dd50]

Thank you.

 

[RustManFan]

thread for those new to transfers!

 

[Lilo'sMommy]

I saw that someone asked a question about laser printers/ copiers. Ihave access to an AMAZING laser printer at work, and the expert on it said that if you use ink jet transfer papers in it, the heat will make the transfer paper melt inside the machine. Not good! So I ordered some laser printer transfer papers on line, which I hope will work out fine. The only other problem with them is that they must be professionally heat set- no hand ironing. Luckily my brother's DFIL owns a dry cleaners, and is going to help us press them next weekend. I hope it all works, cause I'm running out of time!! I'll let you all know how it works and how they turn out.

 

[MommaMouse411]

ok..I just want to make sure I got this right..

the vinegar is for colored shirts only..and its for the fabric not the iron ons? or are you washing the shirts right after you are putting the iron ons on?

and what is the parchment paper for ? light transfers or dark transfers? and why do you use parchment instead of the paper that comes with the transfers...

 

[M_I_C_K_E_Y]

ok..I just want to make sure I got this right..

the vinegar is for colored shirts only..and its for the fabric not the iron ons? or are you washing the shirts right after you are putting the iron ons on?

and what is the parchment paper for ? light transfers or dark transfers? and why do you use parchment instead of the paper that comes with the transfers...

I personally do not do the vinegar wash but I believe that people who do it say it is to set the color on the transfers. I think they do them for both white and colored shirts. This is just a personal preference.

The stuff that comes with your iron on transfers is parchment paper. This is the sheet you place over the iron on paper. Sometimes, you may need to buy more and if so, you can find it in grocery stores by the tin foil.

 

[MickeyRules]

Yes, you would want to use a dark transfer if you are putting that design on a colored shirt. Your best bet would be to make the background the shirt color - like the purple one you posted and simply cut around the design as closely as you wish. With a light transfer, the only way it will be a color on the transfer is if the printer prints it. I am not sure how dark the white would need to be for the printer to actually print it. But if there is no ink on a light transfer, it will be clear. I hope this helps!

If you don't have any white areas on your actual design, is it ok to use a light transfer on a colored shirt?

 

[M_I_C_K_E_Y]

If you don't have any white areas on your actual design, is it ok to use a light transfer on a colored shirt?

If there is no white, no shades of white or any areas that are transparent - meaning there is only colored ink that will be printed by your printer than yes - you can use a light transfer on a colored shirt.

 

[tessiesevin]

WOW guys this thread is awesome. I was heading out to Micheals to buy thier iron-on for our MNSSHP untill I came across this thread. The only thing for me is I don't have any sofware program to "customize" my image. I will be using microsoft word. Can't wait to get started!!!

 

[littlestix]

sub

 

[mcgrawfan]

Sorry maybe this is a silly question, but when ironing the shirt do you put something between the front and back side of the tshirt. Like something on the inside to protect the back of the shirt??
I am gathering you don't do this on an ironing board. What do you use?

 

[RustManFan]

I just printed my first transfer....looks much more muted than I anticipated even though I indicated best quality and selected T shirt transfer as paper type. Tomorrow I will see how it irons on!