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

[heartbeeps]

bumping this up to the top b'c there are a few folks asking t-shirt making questions.

 

[chaoscent]

this is a good resource for making tshirts.
Penny

 

[heartbeeps]

this is a good resource for making tshirts. Penny

thanks Penny. I tried my hand at the light transfers this weekend - UGH! not happy with the results. And I don't care for the Avery brand as they don't have a pre-cut down the back of the paper to make it easier to peel the transfer backing off. I'll go back to dark transfers and HP paper for sure after this episode!

I'm thinking about starting another thread that points out all of my mistakes! I've got quite a repetoire from ruining 9 transfers because the word "birthday" was misspelled and I didn't catch it to my latest trials and tribulations with Avery light transfers! LOL

 

[DisneyMom92]

thanks Penny. I tried my hand at the light transfers this weekend - UGH! not happy with the results. And I don't care for the Avery brand as they don't have a pre-cut down the back of the paper to make it easier to peel the transfer backing off. I'll go back to dark transfers and HP paper for sure after this episode!

I'm thinking about starting another thread that points out all of my mistakes! I've got quite a repetoire from ruining 9 transfers because the word "birthday" was misspelled and I didn't catch it to my latest trials and tribulations with Avery light transfers! LOL

What didn't you like about light transfers? I use them a lot. I only use dark transfers if I have to. I think they are stiffer than most light transfers. I don't use Avery brand, however.

 

[heartbeeps]

What didn't you like about light transfers? I use them a lot. I only use dark transfers if I have to. I think they are stiffer than most light transfers. I don't use Avery brand, however.

1. I couldn't tell if the design placement was perfect
2. I had a difficult time lifting the paper off the design
3. sometimes I peeled away not only the paper but part of my design
4. the image of the transfer was evident when I didn't use a white shirt
5. one design shredded in the dryer
6. there is no "seam" to help get the back off

#3 = see upper outer edge of Mickey's ear by the "k" in Frank

#4 =

[/IMG]

#5 =

 

[momofpirates]

I am so glad to hear that others have had problems with the peeling after the first wash. I didn't even think about just wearing them at the park and washing them afterwards. Instead I did the vinegar wash because I was afraid of the running. Instead of running, they are peeling in the middle of the designs, not the edges, like you'd think.

Has anyone ever tried putting a transfer over another? I am thinking of trying this.

Thanks
MOP

 

[Ning Ning]

bump

 

[heartbeeps]

about time to bring this back to page 1!

 

[carol-lamb]

I love this thread - so may helpful tips - but I'm still scared to death to make my first shirts. I just got my personalized stick figure family from Michelle and I was going to put it on red shirts (already purchased), but after reading about the possibility of them bleeding, I think I will exchange from for white ones. The whole background on that design is white so I don't want to take any chances of the red bleeding through. I got my shirts at Michaels last week when they were on sale for 2 for $5.00. They are the 50/50 blend, so I hope they will work.

I like the idea of buying a cheap shirt from the dollar store to practice on. I think that is what I will need to do to calm my fears!!!

Just to clarify one thing - even if I'm doing a design on a white shirt, I can still use the dark transfer paper - right? I read somewhere that a lot of people think the dark transfers are better than the light ones in that the colors come out better and the transfers hold up better in the wash.

I also don't think I'm going to wash my shirts after I apply the transfer because don't want to take the chance of ruining them in the wash before wearing them. I know I have to wash them BEFORE I iron on the transfer to remove the sizing.

I have read so many threads on making these shirts that's it's starting to get overwhelming. There are so many different opinions on types of shirts, transfers, how long to iron, whether or wash in vinegar, etc!!! I can't wait to start making my shirts. I am determined to do this.

Carol

 

[M_I_C_K_E_Y]

I love this thread - so may helpful tips - but I'm still scared to death to make my first shirts. I just got my personalized stick figure family from Michelle and I was going to put it on red shirts (already purchased), but after reading about the possibility of them bleeding, I think I will exchange from for white ones. The whole background on that design is white so I don't want to take any chances of the red bleeding through. I got my shirts at Michaels last week when they were on sale for 2 for $5.00. They are the 50/50 blend, so I hope they will work.

I like the idea of buying a cheap shirt from the dollar store to practice on. I think that is what I will need to do to calm my fears!!!

Just to clarify one thing - even if I'm doing a design on a white shirt, I can still use the dark transfer paper - right? I read somewhere that a lot of people think the dark transfers are better than the light ones in that the colors come out better and the transfers hold up better in the wash.

I also don't think I'm going to wash my shirts after I apply the transfer because don't want to take the chance of ruining them in the wash before wearing them. I know I have to wash them BEFORE I iron on the transfer to remove the sizing.

I have read so many threads on making these shirts that's it's starting to get overwhelming. There are so many different opinions on types of shirts, transfers, how long to iron, whether or wash in vinegar, etc!!! I can't wait to start making my shirts. I am determined to do this.

Carol

Carol,
First of *remain calm*. After you have your first shirt completed, you will see how truely easy it is and wonder why you even worried so much. I know because I was in your shoes once.

I think the whole shirt bleeding issue has more to do with the transfers than the shirts. I have used some that were never an issue and only recently had the bleeding happen to me. I was using the HP transfers and seemed to remedy the situation by ironing a lot less than stated in the directions.

So, if you like the shirt design on red, my advice would be to try it on one first. If it doesn't work, than you are only out one transfer and shirt but if it does work, than I think you'll like them better on red.

Yes, you can definitely use dark transfers on a white tshirt. I use dark for any shirt color I am using for the reasons you already mentioned.

And personally speaking, I also do not wash my shirts again until after my trip and have never done the vinegar wash.

I hope somehow I have helped.

 

[carol-lamb]

Carol,
First of *remain calm*. After you have your first shirt completed, you will see how truely easy it is and wonder why you even worried so much. I know because I was in your shoes once.

I think the whole shirt bleeding issue has more to do with the transfers than the shirts. I have used some that were never an issue and only recently had the bleeding happen to me. I was using the HP transfers and seemed to remedy the situation by ironing a lot less than stated in the directions.

So, if you like the shirt design on red, my advice would be to try it on one first. If it doesn't work, than you are only out one transfer and shirt but if it does work, than I think you'll like them better on red.

Yes, you can definitely use dark transfers on a white tshirt. I use dark for any shirt color I am using for the reasons you already mentioned.

And personally speaking, I also do not wash my shirts again until after my trip and have never done the vinegar wash.

I hope somehow I have helped.

Thanks for responding. I really need the encouragement!!

I bought the HP dark transfers already. I also just noticed that my stick figure family design has a red border so it will probably look better on a white shirt. For some reason, I thought it had a black border. I have a polka dot minnie mouse head design that has a black border and would look good on a red shirt, so I will try that one. I have to try at least one red shirt just to prove that I can do it.

My 15 year old daughter is sitting here laughing at me. I have all these designs printed on regular paper and I'm trying to decide which ones I want to make into shirts. She just asked me what's up with me and these shirts!!! She said she won't wear the stick figure family one. But my son and daughter-in-law are up for wearing them though. It must be a teenage thing!! I also want to make the mickey mouse head swirl tye dye shirts and she said she will make one, but not with a mickey head (and she won't wear it on the same day we are wearing ours)!!!

Thanks again for your help!!

Carol

 

[heartbeeps]

...My 15 year old daughter is sitting here laughing at me. I have all these designs printed on regular paper and I'm trying to decide which ones I want to make into shirts. She just asked me what's up with me and these shirts!!! She said she won't wear the stick figure family one. But my son and daughter-in-law are up for wearing them though. It must be a teenage thing!! I also want to make the mickey mouse head swirl tye dye shirts and she said she will make one, but not with a mickey head (and she won't wear it on the same day we are wearing ours)!!!

I made 2 shirts and bought 4 shirts for my granddaughter (16); I never saw her in one of them the entire time! (10 year old grandson wore one on one day; 12 year old granddaughter didn't wear any that I saw either.) Heaven forbid! and so it goes...

and don't worry, it'll work out just fine. And, here's a couple of pix of dark transfers on white shirts to give you an idea...

note this one has a lot of white on it because I didn't "trim" the white off (however, it's a light pink shirt not a white one) -

[/IMG]

on this one, I "trimmed" the excess white off -

this one has no excess white as I trimmed all the excess transfer paper off around the Mickey head (note I messed up the Mickey head - I think I was "twisting" the iron and that's why the white spots are on it but I'm not sure) -

 

[DisneyFun08]

Thanks for your help!

I have actually had really good success with transfers. This was the first time I used the HP brand and what I was trying to say is that it was their directions.

When I followed their directions, the colors started changing on the transfer which is when I stopped but it was already too late. When I did them for a fraction of the time, they looked incredible.

I just wanted to give everyone a heads up on here because I know that a lot of people bought those transfers when they were on special.

Which brand have you used previously, (not HP)? I can't find HP brand and someone said they didn't care for Avery. I can't remember the name of the transfers at Michael's, but it wasn't HP or Avery. TIA!

 

[carol-lamb]

Which brand have you used previously, (not HP)? I can't find HP brand and someone said they didn't care for Avery. I can't remember the name of the transfers at Michael's, but it wasn't HP or Avery. TIA!

DisneyFun08 - I just bought HP dark transfers at Target this past Friday. They were $9.99 for a package of six (I think there are six). I have read on the boards that some people prefer HP over Avery and vice versa, but I just went with HP. I saw the transfers at Michaels, but I think I read somewhere that they are not that good. I think HP and/or Avery are the preferred brands.

Carol

 

[DisneyFun08]

DisneyFun08 - I just bought HP dark transfers at Target this past Friday. They were $9.99 for a package of six (I think there are six). I have read on the boards that some people prefer HP over Avery and vice versa, but I just went with HP. I saw the transfers at Michaels, but I think I read somewhere that they are not that good. I think HP and/or Avery are the preferred brands.

Carol

Thanks for responding! I was at my Target yesterday and they didn't have them. I tried Wal Mart and K Mart, too. I have lots of time until our trip, I will just check back later.

 

[America]

I'm going to try to do a shirt. Will post later

 

[heartbeeps]

Thanks for responding! I was at my Target yesterday and they didn't have them. I tried Wal Mart and K Mart, too. I have lots of time until our trip, I will just check back later.

if you're looking for HP transfers, you can see what they're offering online too. I bought mine when they were 2 for 1 and free shipping - directly from HP

 

[genhand]

Ok after many times reading this tread and looking at my plain t-shirt and those custom disigns a nice lady made for me, I finally had the courage to try it and... Hello, my name is geneviève and I am an iron-on addict!!!

Really after making the one that I had to do, I still wanted to make some more!!! I use the avery transfers for light t-shirt and it work out great (I only had white tee and one light pink and since their for my kids, they don't mind that we can see the color of the shirt through the disign!) But it's way easier than I tough.

Thanx for that tread, really help me get over my stress of trying iron-on.

Updated: here are my shirt

I did it I did it!!!! I got some more shirt to make new ones, it's so easy!!!

 

[heartbeeps]

Ok after many times reading this tread and looking at my plain t-shirt and those custom disigns a nice lady made for me, I finally had the courage to try it and... Hello, my name is geneviève and I am an iron-on addict!!!

I made more than 60 and am now suffering TEE SHIRT MAKING WITHDRAWAL BIG TIME!

(And, if you don't believe me, here's the posts of my tees showing the different designs - some were the same design for multiple people so I only posted about 50 of the finished product!)

 

[heartbeeps]

we really did wear a lot of these tees at Disney!

let's start with the iNCREDIBLES - at LeCellier no less - we were a sea of yellow. When the host asked if our party of 10 was there, I told him just look over there to the sea of yellow! :