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

[jtanddolly]

Do not worry about the vinegar smell or doing a second wash. I absolutely can't stand the smell of vinegar, but once vinegar dries...it looses its smell.

 

[M_I_C_K_E_Y]

I would love to make t-shirts for our upcoming trip, but we had a bad experience with them last year. I'm not sure if it was the transfers we used or the way we did them, but the ink started running as soon as we got the transfers wet (splash mountain), and when we got home and washed them (inside out, in cold water on delicate cycle) they all cracked and started peeling off. I used the dark transfers from Michael's-not sure what brand. I followed the directions on the transfers-prewashing the shirts with no detergent or fabric softener, ironed them on my kitchen table, everything it said to do. They looked really cute, but the second they got wet they fell apart. Does anyone have any tips that might help me this time? I have never heard of the prewash in vinegar-does this seem to help with the bleeding? I'll probably order some of your transfers AmyMickey. I would greatly appreciate any input! TIA! Anne

I have personally never had the ink running issue before but I have used transfers that have fallen apart in the first wash. It is extremely frustrating after you have done so much work.

In m opinion, it has more to do with the quality of the transfers. Especially when you have followed the directions to a T.

I have never done the vinegar wash and when I wash my shirts, I wash and dry them in my regular laundry. No special attention! Although, most of the time, I try to remember to turn them inside out. But I am not one of those "wash in delicate" and "hang to dry" people. If it can't be done normally, it doesn't get done.

And in saying all that, the transfers I have are GREAT. No issues in the laundry with cracking or peeling and I have washed my test shirts about 10 times now. That is not to say that eventually they won't crack but I have yet to see it happen.

 

[Brady's Mom]

Last night I tried ironing on a transfer to my daughter's cotton t-shirt. I applied the iron in each section for 20 seconds as the directions said. When I tried to remove the parchment paper the transfer was still attached to the paper and never transferred to the t-shirt. I followed the directions and did it on a flat surface placing the glossy side down with the printed decal facing up and the parchment paper on top of that. Does anyone have any tips on how I can get this to transfer to the t-shirt? I used Wilton brand transfers.

I just used some Wilton transfers the other night for some Halloween shirts. I used the dark transfer paper (it's actually white). Did you peel off the paper on the back that has the blue line on it? I was really nervous about ripping the part that you peel off, but it seemed pretty strong. I didn't have any trouble with my transfers sticking to the shirt.

You might have to print another transfer if you forgot to peel off the backing, I don't know if you will be able to separate them after you iron it.

 

[chaoscent]

bump,

 

[Brady's Mom]

I would love to make t-shirts for our upcoming trip, but we had a bad experience with them last year. I'm not sure if it was the transfers we used or the way we did them, but the ink started running as soon as we got the transfers wet (splash mountain), and when we got home and washed them (inside out, in cold water on delicate cycle) they all cracked and started peeling off. I used the dark transfers from Michael's-not sure what brand. I followed the directions on the transfers-prewashing the shirts with no detergent or fabric softener, ironed them on my kitchen table, everything it said to do. They looked really cute, but the second they got wet they fell apart. Does anyone have any tips that might help me this time? I have never heard of the prewash in vinegar-does this seem to help with the bleeding? I'll probably order some of your transfers AmyMickey. I would greatly appreciate any input! TIA! Anne

I did some Halloween shirts the other day and didn't rinse them in vinegar before they were worn. The black shirt did just fine, no running or anything (although it didn't get wet) and the ink on the yellow shirt bled. I tried them in a vinegar rinse after Halloween (one at a time because of the colors) and the transfers cracked and the colors are not as vivid as they were before.

I also used the transfers from Michael's (Wilton, I think). I used a 40% off coupon, otherwise all the dark transfers I have found are about the same price - about $10 for 5.

Did rinsing the shirts separately make a difference? Should I do them with more shirts? I think I need major help here!

Thanks
Shannon

 

[DisneyBarlans]

I did some Halloween shirts the other day and didn't rinse them in vinegar before they were worn. The black shirt did just fine, no running or anything (although it didn't get wet) and the ink on the yellow shirt bled. I tried them in a vinegar rinse after Halloween (one at a time because of the colors) and the transfers cracked and the colors are not as vivid as they were before.

I also used the transfers from Michael's (Wilton, I think). I used a 40% off coupon, otherwise all the dark transfers I have found are about the same price - about $10 for 5.

Did rinsing the shirts separately make a difference? Should I do them with more shirts? I think I need major help here!

Thanks
Shannon

I used the Wilton brand when I made my shirts that turned out so bad. I have ordered some transfers from Amymickey-they are supposed to be really good, so I'll let you know after I try them.

 

[heartbeeps]

I did some Halloween shirts the other day and didn't rinse them in vinegar before they were worn. The black shirt did just fine, no running or anything (although it didn't get wet) and the ink on the yellow shirt bled. I tried them in a vinegar rinse after Halloween (one at a time because of the colors) and the transfers cracked and the colors are not as vivid as they were before. I also used the transfers from Michael's (Wilton, I think). ... Did rinsing the shirts separately make a difference? Should I do them with more shirts? I think I need major help here!

I suspect that the running came b'c you ironed them on either too long or the iron was too hot - not b'c of skipping the vinegar step as others don't use the vinegar step and still have success.

Re using the Wilton brand, I've read on this board that they're not the best. Praises come from Amy's transfers as well as HP and Avery mostly on this board from what I've read.

I wonder if you'd have the same results w/the same process on a different brand! If so, then perhaps the iron is too hot or too long.

 

[chaoscent]

Someone was looking for this.

 

[kkjd]

Hi,

I'm using PrintWorks Premium T-shirt Transfers paper and I can't get my transfer to stick to my shirt no matter how long I press the iron down.

Has any one been used this type of transfer paper which has the same problem as mine?

Thanks

 

[tamih]

I have not used this brand but were you sure to peel the back off? I have tried Amymickey's transfers and they are great.

 

[kkjd]

Yes, I'm sure that I peeled the back off. The only thing that I could think of was my iron was not hot enough. However the over lay paper that I put on top of the transfer even turned brown.

I have not used this brand but were you sure to peel the back off? I have tried Amymickey's transfers and they are great.

 

[AnjieNet]

Received my transfers yesterday (thanks for the quick shipping Amy aka M_I_C_K_E_Y) and I'm ready to start trying some transfers. Crossing my fingers for success!! Thought I'd bump this up for anyone else interested.

 

[chaoscent]

Great Information.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Bump

 

[ilovefh]

yay for this thread!

 

[cole4/25]

So this is a strange question but is there any way to get an iron on OFF? Before I discovered this wonderful site I had bought some iron ons from an ebay store. They're fine but that's it - fine. Where the ones here are GREAT!! And I want more, but can't really justify doing more shirts (already did one for each day) so I was wondering if there is anyway to get the other trasfers off so I can do ones from here? They were done on white t shirts & light grey hoodies & they were light colored shirt transfers.
And I did not wash the shirts first - didn't know i was supposed to at the time - so will that make a difference?
Let me know if any of you have any suggestions or have actually done somehting like this!! Thanks!!

 

[M_I_C_K_E_Y]

So this is a strange question but is there any way to get an iron on OFF? Before I discovered this wonderful site I had bought some iron ons from an ebay store. They're fine but that's it - fine. Where the ones here are GREAT!! And I want more, but can't really justify doing more shirts (already did one for each day) so I was wondering if there is anyway to get the other trasfers off so I can do ones from here? They were done on white t shirts & light grey hoodies & they were light colored shirt transfers.
And I did not wash the shirts first - didn't know i was supposed to at the time - so will that make a difference?
Let me know if any of you have any suggestions or have actually done somehting like this!! Thanks!!

The reason it is important to wash the shirts first is to remove all the sizing from the shirt so that the transfer will adhere correctly.

Sadly, I do not believe that there is a way to remove a transfer in order to reuse the shirt. I have heard others say that they have ironed a transfer over a transfer but I have not personally done this. Before doing this though - consider that having two transfers on top of eachother and what that will do to the breathability of the tshirt.

I hope somehow this helps. I wish I could give you better news.

 

[heartbeeps]

So this is a strange question but is there any way to get an iron on OFF? Before I discovered this wonderful site I had bought some iron ons from an ebay store. They're fine but that's it - fine. Where the ones here are GREAT!! And I want more, but can't really justify doing more shirts (already did one for each day) so I was wondering if there is anyway to get the other trasfers off so I can do ones from here? They were done on white t shirts & light grey hoodies & they were light colored shirt transfers.
And I did not wash the shirts first - didn't know i was supposed to at the time - so will that make a difference?
Let me know if any of you have any suggestions or have actually done somehting like this!! Thanks!!

you could always just put a 2nd transfer on... THE BACK of the shirt! Then they'd see you coming and going!

 

[chaoscent]

Bump

 

[1drifter]

Thanks so much for this thread I just finished my shirts and it was a great help. Also a special thanks to the designers for their wonderful designs--donatalie (Natalie), Mickey (Amy), Kellybell (Kelly), Dom13, and whoever posted Buzz (sorry I forgot).