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

[heartbeeps]

Not to be a nudge- are they better quality than the ones that Michael's or AC Moore are selling? Thanks!

I can't answer about jiffyshirts; I ordered mine from shirtsupplier.com but I can say that I was pleased with the quality of the shirts. I couldn't find any defects on the 28 shirts I ordered! The brands I ordered were Anvil (women's cut), Gildan (mens & ladies), and Hanes tagless (mens). I asked sis what size shirt she wore and she said SMALL. Unfortunately, I didn't specify I was ordering Women's shirts for the females and there's NO way she'd wear a small in a ladies shirt! So back to the web site to order more!

The one thing I noted about the ones at MIchael's. I could only find white and black 100% cotton at Michaels. Everything else was a blend so I passed on buying them there even though they were on sale for $2.99.

 

[DisneyMom92]

I also used www.shirtsupplier.com and was extremely happy with their quality. Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[heartbeeps]

As of 4/6/08, I'm at multiple steps #10 (wasted some ink & transfer paper b'c of a typo), 14 (the Mickey heads are tedious to trim so I saved them for last; doing the easy square designs first to feel a sense of accomplishment), and step 18 now. Also, updated info contained in steps 10, 12, 16, 17.

SEE POST #1 for step-by-step guidelines

 

[heartbeeps]

dup post; deleted

 

[DisneyMom92]

Looks like a great how to for beginners. Maybe they could make this a sticky and alleviate some of the questions.

 

[chaoscent]

For #7, add in
Check printing directions for the type of transfer you are using. Normally, dark transfers print normally and White transfers should be reversed before printing. Also, you DON't take the back off for white transfers. Or better yet, net these are directions for Dark Transfer shirts as the ironing is a little different for white transfers (not much, just a little)
Nice job, I am going to use it as a check list and I have done many, many shirts. Thank you. Penny

 

[heartbeeps]

For #7, add in
Check printing directions for the type of transfer you are using. Normally, dark transfers print normally and White transfers should be reversed before printing. Also, you DON't take the back off for white transfers. Or better yet, net these are directions for Dark Transfer shirts as the ironing is a little different for white transfers (not much, just a little)
Nice job, I am going to use it as a check list and I have done many, many shirts. Thank you. Penny

steps updated - see post 1; thanks for the advice.

 

[DisneyMom92]

bumping because a lo t of questions are coming up again.

 

[heartbeeps]

ok, here goes - Mr. First tees... 2 done ~40 to go!

ok I can't figure out how to rotate the pix 1/4 turn; I've tried both the "insert link" icon as well as the "insert image" icon and both put my pix sideways. (Ok that's how I captured the image BUT I did edit and save it to the proper direction.) Can anyone tell me what I'm doing wrong! stuck on step 20!

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

ok, here goes - Mr. First tees... 2 done ~40 to go!

ok I can't figure out how to rotate the pix 1/4 turn; I've tried both the "insert link" icon as well as the "insert image" icon and both put my pix sideways. (Ok that's how I captured the image BUT I did edit and save it to the proper direction.) Can anyone tell me what I'm doing wrong! stuck on step 20!

Just wanted to say that I am even more computer clueless than I am shirt making clueless but I can't wait to see your shirts! My vote is just to post them sideways & we can all tilt!

 

[Leonsmom]

Okay this scares me.
I need to make 30 shirts and there is no way I can do this.
I am wondering if I can pay someone? I was thinking of going to a local shirt place in the flea market to se if they would do it? I wonder how much they would charge if they would do it at all.
The other thing I looked in to was a press iron.
Boy are they expensive!
it's a shame that I can do the designs but am afraid to make my own shirts.
Me and ironing DO NOT get along

 

[M_I_C_K_E_Y]

Okay this scares me.
I need to make 30 shirts and there is no way I can do this.
I am wondering if I can pay someone? I was thinking of going to a local shirt place in the flea market to se if they would do it? I wonder how much they would charge if they would do it at all.
The other thing I looked in to was a press iron.
Boy are they expensive!
it's a shame that I can do the designs but am afraid to make my own shirts.
Me and ironing DO NOT get along

Jill,
Don't be afraid, it is very easy! I know it is scary at first because you are afraid of ruining a shirt or transfer but after you do one, you'll see how easy it truely is. If you are that concerned, buy an extra shirt or trial shirt that you won't care if it gets ruined. Don't pay someone to do it until you have at least attempted a trial shirt.

As you said, if you can master designing, you can certainly do the iron on thing - it's easy and very rewarding when they are completed!

 

[heartbeeps]

ok, here's a couple of shirts that I've completed so far (6 of the first batch of 24 done; 18 still need a final press before shipping out to the family. Transfers printed for all of the 2nd batch of 19 but these all need to be ironed on, vinegar washed, and final pressed. And, of course, they need to be compelted before the end of the month and shipped around the country to various family members so they can plan their wardrobes accordingly! )

each shirt will have it's own post in case folks want to make specific comments about a specific shirt -


DESIGN BY RUMBLY TUMBLY (I added the message on top myself using a very basic Olympus Camedia photo program... and yes, I wanted the "i" to be lower case and the other letters to be UPPER CASE!) -


this is a women's shirt - PURCHASED FROM SHIRTSUPPLIER.COM (Color = yellow haze)

Note - I did not use the ironing board [in the background] for the transfers; just the final pressing and photo shoot.

 

[heartbeeps]

DESIGN BY WILLISE - thank you for being so patient with me!

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this is a men's shirt by shirtsupplier.com - color = "Daisy"

 

[heartbeeps]

DESIGN BY WILLISE -

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this is a small adult shirt purchased from shirtsupplier.com. Color = yellow haze. BTW, the ladies small is quite a bit smaller than the men's small; different brands, too. Perhaps I'll be able to photograph both of them together so you can see the difference. (later)

 

[DisneyMom92]

Your shirts turned out great! I love to see the final products. So fun.

 

[heartbeeps]

"Gothic" tee :scared1 DESIGN BY PATNL34 (no longer designing). I added the name in Tink's wing myself.

ok gotta work on the rotate issue again in photobucket. Will repost here later! grrrrrrrrrr

 

[worm761]

two questions

1. do the shirts have to be 100% cotton?
2. the vinigar wash? that is after you put the transfer on? or before? sorry, i am dense today.

 

[heartbeeps]

two questions

1. do the shirts have to be 100% cotton?
2. the vinigar wash? that is after you put the transfer on? or before? sorry, i am dense today.

1. folks on this board "recommended" 100% cotton. That's what I used except for one 50/50 which I bought at Dollar Tree. That T turned out ok as well. (I'll post it after it's ironed - it says "Pixie Princess" so look for it. The color looks FABULOUS!) I also asked a t shirt place what they use and they said 50/50 so maybe the 100% cotton isn't a hard-fast rule but just a recommendation? Anyone?

2. before you put the iron on to the shirt, you'll wash it in just detergent and dry it as you'd normally do. AFTER you put the iron on to the shirt, you'll wash it in JUST WHITE VINEGAR and water then dry it on low heat.

 

[heartbeeps]

Well finally able to upload this DESIGN BY PATNL34 (she is no longer designing)

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Men's small 100% cotton from shirtsupplier.com

I added the name on Tink's wing.

(Note, I took this pix with the FLASH OFF.)