chaoscent
<a href="http://www.wdwinfo.com/dis-sponsor/" targ
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2000
- Messages
- 5,794
Post 11
Printing your design
You can print your designs in several ways
To make a mirror image in paint:
Press Ctrl+R this will bring up the flip/rotate dialogue window
Choose flip horizontal and then click on okay this should give you a mirror image of your design
To Print from Paint:
Open a copy in Paint and print it from there be sure to use print preview and make any adjustments if it does not fill the page as desired.
Click on file, page setup and you will be able to make your design portrait or landscape
You can also set margins
To make your design fit on one page use the scaling option and choose fit to a 1 x 1 page
To have a little more flexibility in working with the design you can insert the image into a Word Document
To insert an image into Word:
From the toolbar select insert
Then picture
From file
Use the file browser to locate your file
Choose the file and then click insert
To change the size of a photo in word
You can then right click on the picture and choose format picture
then click on the size tab
and choose the dimensions you want the file to be (make sure your margins are set as small as possible)
or
click on the image and place your arrow over one of the corner guides
when it become a two way arrow
click on it and drag the arrow to the size you want the photo to be
(make sure you use a corner guide the middle guides will change the aspect ratio)
To make a mirror image in Word:
This will be done in the printer options how to do this will vary by printer
Choose File
Print
and then Properties
there is probably a layout feature that will have a mirror image option choose this option and then print
Not all printers can do this if not you will have to first reverse the image in paint (see directions above)
Post 12
Making a T-Shirt/Ironing on the transfer
What type transfer paper should I use?
There are two basic types of transfer paper one for light shirts and one for dark shirts.
1. The Light transfer paper is translucent and the color of the shirt will show through the transfer paper. Most (or all) of the designs need to flipped/rotated before printing.
2. The Dark transfer paper is white and any part you do not cut away will show up on the shirt as white.
There is no consensus on which brand of paper to use although Amys and HP transfers seem to be the most consistent choices.
Some recommend using the dark transfer paper regardless of the shirt color as the colors seem more vibrant.
How to Iron a Transfer on a T-Shirt by HeartBeeps
Warning: ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS IN THE PACKAGE OF TRANSFER PAPERS; the steps that follow are just a guideline!
I found this video on the web showing a visual of how to iron on transfers - click here!
1. Decide on a theme to use
a. DH's b'day + Family + the Incredibles
b. DAK & first names on Mickey heads
c. Magic Kingdom Shirt
d. Pooh Character Meal Shirt
2. Decide on quantity & specific designs. (See sticky called DISign gallery for a list of DISigners and what they DISign)
3. Determine if selected designs need to be customized
4. Figure out the timeline for having shirts ready when you need them
a. I started with my departure date of 4/30 and worked backwards from there, allowing time for designing, shipping, prep, etc.
5. Get designs customized. (See directions in FAQ listing)
a. Write down the name of the designer/their "handle" of whose design you use so you can appropriately credit them for their work when you post your finished product!
6. Proofread EVERY version of EVERY design you print so you are sure the spelling in each transfer is correct before you print! (I wasted 9 transfers by not catching a typo before wasting ink & transfers.
7. Print the designs on white paper and "size them up" on the t-shirt to ensure they look good
a. gosh I hope the t-shirt colors I picked work!
b. some say you can print them in black and white but I really needed to see them in color! and it helps to take the paper print outs to a local store to look for shirt colors if you haven't already done that yet
c. printing them on white paper first also confirms what you will get when you print on transfer paper. (after all, you don't want to waste expensive transfer paper so ensure you've got it all right - including the spelling, whether you need to reverse the image, etc.)
8. Decide on shirt - store, style, color and order
a. 100% cotton T shirt
b. Be sure to understand the company's return policy, restocking fees, suggested quantity to buy to allow for defects in original order, etc.
9. Make sure timeline is still valid
a. I originally forgot to add to my timeline enough time required to select the shirt colors (not being artistic at all, I agonized over the right color to coordinate with each design)
10. Buy transfers
a. If putting design on a white shirt - you can use either light or dark transfers;
b. On any other color shirt - use dark transfers or else ALL white areas of the design will be the shirt color.
c. Dark transfers tend to have more vibrant colors and are more of a matte finish and light transfers are more shiny.
11. The MINUTE that the printer flashes the "ink low" message, CHANGE THE INK CARTRIDGE. Do not try to get one more transfer out of that ink cartridge. (I did that and wasted a transfer because the transfer had vertical stripes through it! )
12. Wash, dry and iron the shirts
a. NO fabric softener, no dryer sheets, no spray starch!
13. If happy with the print outs on paper, print the design on the transfer paper itself
a. HP dark transfer paper states "Set Print quality to BEST" [for HP Iron-On Transfer]
b. Check printing directions for the type of transfer you are using. Normally, dark transfers print normally and White transfers should be reversed before printing.
c. Let the design "set up" on the paper for a day
i. not sure this is absolute but won't hurt if you've got the time built into your timeline
14. Trim' around the design otherwise the un-used or un-printed white backgrounds will show on the shirt
15. Take the transfer, parchment paper, shirt, and iron to a flat, hard surface
a. A coffee table is ideal because it's lower and you can hover over the iron
b. dining room table or floor can be used as long as you protect it
c. note - I used the coffee table protected with a pillowcase folded double - TOOK THE FINISH RIGHT OFF THE SURFACE!
16. While heating up the iron (follow the directions on the transfer package), [for dark transfers] remove the transfer from the backing before you iron it on the shirt then put parchment paper on top of the transfer before you iron it.
a. I left my iron heat up for at least 8 minutes before starting
b. You can use a ruler to position the transfer on the shirt or just "eye ball" it.
c. I used 5-6" on adult shirts - depending on size of shirt
d. I used less for the kids' shirts
These directions are for Dark Transfer shirts as the ironing is a little different for white transfers (not much, just a little, i.e., you Dont take the back off for white transfers)
17. Before Ironing
a. make sure all of the paper is off the back including at the point where the two sides of the paper meet; sometimes a little bit is left that needs to be taken off before ironing.
b. While prepping the shirt (i.e., making sure the tee is flat and not wrinkled, be sure to keep the transfer AWAY from the hot iron!)
c. make sure the transfers is flat, centered, and straight and there are no corners bent under
18. Iron the transfer onto the shirt using parchment paper (provided by the transfer mfr.) between the transfer and the iron. FOLLOW THE MFR. DIRECTIONS to the letter!
a. Make sure you iron long enough so the transfer not only comes off the transfer but ADHERES to the shirt
b. make sure you let the transfer "cool down" before trying to lift the parchment paper off the transfer (the tissue paper should lift right off with NO problem; if the tissue paper feels like it's "sticking" to the transfer that's a sure indication that you haven't let the transfer cool enough)
19. Wash shirt in a vinegar wash (some folks skip this step and it turns out fine; personally I didn't skip it so that's why you see it here - it's your call... and questionable whether it will run in the rain with or without the vinegar wash)
a. 1 cup vinegar in the washer only, nothing else, just the shirt(s) and vinegar, no detergent no fabric softener (and the water of course) and put it through a regular wash cycle
b. if you're concerned about a vinegar smell, you can use a second rinse cycle-
c. I turned my tees inside out before washing-
d. I've read that the purpose of the vinegar wash is to bring out the bright colors. As an fyi, additional info found online stated that the acid in white distilled vinegar is too mild to harm fabrics, yet strong enough to dissolve the alkalis in soaps and detergents.
e. some folks have reported that their shirts "bled" after doing this vinegar wash (my thought is I'd rather it bleed at home than in a rainstorm at Disney); I can't say for sure why the bleeding occurs occasionally but I suspect it may have something to do with holding the iron to the transfer either too long or having the iron too hot as I did 20 "Incredibles" themed shirts and the first few bled but then when I spent less time with the iron on the transfer the later ones did not bleed. All I can say is this is just a theory; your results may vary (YRMV).
f. If doing step then dry the shirt on a low heat setting *
g. Not no heat, it needs SOME heat!
h. If only drying a couple of shirts, put a towel or two in the dryer to keep the shirt from bunching up
20. Post pix back to the boards to thank the DISigners for sharing their talents
a. if taking a pix indoors, the pix looks better if you can turn off the flash and set the camera to "macro" then get close enough to read the design but also see the "look" of the tee (i.e., the collar, sleeves, etc.)
21. Sit back, and enjoy!
A Word of advice... dont underestimate the amount of time you need to make these shirts; there's a lot of steps involved. Add a couple extra days to your timeline to allow for snafus!
Some folks Scotchgard the shirts (inside & outside) before wearing them to help protect them from bleeding. Personally, I haven't done this and two of my shirts bled when the wearer used Purell to disinfect their hands!
What type shirt (fabric)should I use?
by Baloo and J&NMom
Cotton or Poly/Cotton Blend fabric
T-shirts
Sweat shirts or pants
Canvas totes
Pillow cases
Walmart and K-mart carry Hanes and Fruit of the Loom shirts at everyday low prices! Jiffy is also a place where many people recommend you get your shirts.
Most hobby stores sell T-shirts for around $4.99 and people have been very happy with these shirts.
Check out the sales racks in whatever store you're in, there's no telling what sort of prize you might find!
Do you have any tips on ironing the transfer?by Baloo and J&NMom
These are tips for transferring that people have suggested .But directions on different brands of transfer paper vary so be sure to read and follow the manufactures directions!
You MUST prewash your shirts before transferring
Prewash ANY fabric before using transfers.It removes sizing or starch applied by the manufacture.
Do NOT add fabric softener or bleach when prewashing.
Do NOT add fabric softener sheets when drying.
Print a Preview ... always, always print a preview copy of your image before printing it on the (expensive) transfer paper. Do this to insure that colors print correctly, that your image doesn't fall into your printer's no-print zone along the margins, and to see what size your design will be (sometimes the on-screen view can be deceiving).
Flip Image if the directions call for it don't forget to flip or mirror your image. This is especially critical if you have text in your design. The text should be backwards on screen or on the print out. (Another good reason to print a preview copy first!)
Use the Right Side of the Paper ...Transfer paper has stripes or a grid on the non-printing side. Be sure to put the paper in your printer so that it prints on the clean white side.
White Does Not Print... In designing your artwork remember that WHITE does not print. The fabric will show through any parts of the design that are white. For example, if you print a white ghost on plaid fabric you'll get a plaid ghost! Plan your design accordingly. As with any desktop publishing project, consider the background color when selecting colors for your designs.
Test on Scrap Fabric Test... your design on scratch fabric before applying it to your final T-shirt or other fabric. Some types of fabric may require more ironing (heat) than others or may not show off your design as well as you expected.
Use Lots of Heat... Use your iron's hottest setting but no steam. It takes a lot of heat to transfer the image evenly and completely to the fabric. Peel off the paper while it is still hot.
Use a Hard Surface... The reason transfer instructions specify a hard surface (such as Formica) is because it holds the heat. Ironing boards tend to disperse the heat and the transfer paper needs to be very hot to work properly.
Printing your design
You can print your designs in several ways
To make a mirror image in paint:
Press Ctrl+R this will bring up the flip/rotate dialogue window
Choose flip horizontal and then click on okay this should give you a mirror image of your design
To Print from Paint:
Open a copy in Paint and print it from there be sure to use print preview and make any adjustments if it does not fill the page as desired.
Click on file, page setup and you will be able to make your design portrait or landscape
You can also set margins
To make your design fit on one page use the scaling option and choose fit to a 1 x 1 page
To have a little more flexibility in working with the design you can insert the image into a Word Document
To insert an image into Word:
From the toolbar select insert
Then picture
From file
Use the file browser to locate your file
Choose the file and then click insert
To change the size of a photo in word
You can then right click on the picture and choose format picture
then click on the size tab
and choose the dimensions you want the file to be (make sure your margins are set as small as possible)
or
click on the image and place your arrow over one of the corner guides
when it become a two way arrow
click on it and drag the arrow to the size you want the photo to be
(make sure you use a corner guide the middle guides will change the aspect ratio)
To make a mirror image in Word:
This will be done in the printer options how to do this will vary by printer
Choose File
and then Properties
there is probably a layout feature that will have a mirror image option choose this option and then print
Not all printers can do this if not you will have to first reverse the image in paint (see directions above)
Post 12
Making a T-Shirt/Ironing on the transfer
What type transfer paper should I use?
There are two basic types of transfer paper one for light shirts and one for dark shirts.
1. The Light transfer paper is translucent and the color of the shirt will show through the transfer paper. Most (or all) of the designs need to flipped/rotated before printing.
2. The Dark transfer paper is white and any part you do not cut away will show up on the shirt as white.
There is no consensus on which brand of paper to use although Amys and HP transfers seem to be the most consistent choices.
Some recommend using the dark transfer paper regardless of the shirt color as the colors seem more vibrant.
How to Iron a Transfer on a T-Shirt by HeartBeeps
Warning: ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS IN THE PACKAGE OF TRANSFER PAPERS; the steps that follow are just a guideline!
I found this video on the web showing a visual of how to iron on transfers - click here!
1. Decide on a theme to use
a. DH's b'day + Family + the Incredibles
b. DAK & first names on Mickey heads
c. Magic Kingdom Shirt
d. Pooh Character Meal Shirt
2. Decide on quantity & specific designs. (See sticky called DISign gallery for a list of DISigners and what they DISign)
3. Determine if selected designs need to be customized
4. Figure out the timeline for having shirts ready when you need them
a. I started with my departure date of 4/30 and worked backwards from there, allowing time for designing, shipping, prep, etc.
5. Get designs customized. (See directions in FAQ listing)
a. Write down the name of the designer/their "handle" of whose design you use so you can appropriately credit them for their work when you post your finished product!
6. Proofread EVERY version of EVERY design you print so you are sure the spelling in each transfer is correct before you print! (I wasted 9 transfers by not catching a typo before wasting ink & transfers.
7. Print the designs on white paper and "size them up" on the t-shirt to ensure they look good
a. gosh I hope the t-shirt colors I picked work!
b. some say you can print them in black and white but I really needed to see them in color! and it helps to take the paper print outs to a local store to look for shirt colors if you haven't already done that yet
c. printing them on white paper first also confirms what you will get when you print on transfer paper. (after all, you don't want to waste expensive transfer paper so ensure you've got it all right - including the spelling, whether you need to reverse the image, etc.)
8. Decide on shirt - store, style, color and order
a. 100% cotton T shirt
b. Be sure to understand the company's return policy, restocking fees, suggested quantity to buy to allow for defects in original order, etc.
9. Make sure timeline is still valid
a. I originally forgot to add to my timeline enough time required to select the shirt colors (not being artistic at all, I agonized over the right color to coordinate with each design)
10. Buy transfers
a. If putting design on a white shirt - you can use either light or dark transfers;
b. On any other color shirt - use dark transfers or else ALL white areas of the design will be the shirt color.
c. Dark transfers tend to have more vibrant colors and are more of a matte finish and light transfers are more shiny.
11. The MINUTE that the printer flashes the "ink low" message, CHANGE THE INK CARTRIDGE. Do not try to get one more transfer out of that ink cartridge. (I did that and wasted a transfer because the transfer had vertical stripes through it! )
12. Wash, dry and iron the shirts
a. NO fabric softener, no dryer sheets, no spray starch!
13. If happy with the print outs on paper, print the design on the transfer paper itself
a. HP dark transfer paper states "Set Print quality to BEST" [for HP Iron-On Transfer]
b. Check printing directions for the type of transfer you are using. Normally, dark transfers print normally and White transfers should be reversed before printing.
c. Let the design "set up" on the paper for a day
i. not sure this is absolute but won't hurt if you've got the time built into your timeline
14. Trim' around the design otherwise the un-used or un-printed white backgrounds will show on the shirt
15. Take the transfer, parchment paper, shirt, and iron to a flat, hard surface
a. A coffee table is ideal because it's lower and you can hover over the iron
b. dining room table or floor can be used as long as you protect it
c. note - I used the coffee table protected with a pillowcase folded double - TOOK THE FINISH RIGHT OFF THE SURFACE!
16. While heating up the iron (follow the directions on the transfer package), [for dark transfers] remove the transfer from the backing before you iron it on the shirt then put parchment paper on top of the transfer before you iron it.
a. I left my iron heat up for at least 8 minutes before starting
b. You can use a ruler to position the transfer on the shirt or just "eye ball" it.
c. I used 5-6" on adult shirts - depending on size of shirt
d. I used less for the kids' shirts
These directions are for Dark Transfer shirts as the ironing is a little different for white transfers (not much, just a little, i.e., you Dont take the back off for white transfers)
17. Before Ironing
a. make sure all of the paper is off the back including at the point where the two sides of the paper meet; sometimes a little bit is left that needs to be taken off before ironing.
b. While prepping the shirt (i.e., making sure the tee is flat and not wrinkled, be sure to keep the transfer AWAY from the hot iron!)
c. make sure the transfers is flat, centered, and straight and there are no corners bent under
18. Iron the transfer onto the shirt using parchment paper (provided by the transfer mfr.) between the transfer and the iron. FOLLOW THE MFR. DIRECTIONS to the letter!
a. Make sure you iron long enough so the transfer not only comes off the transfer but ADHERES to the shirt
b. make sure you let the transfer "cool down" before trying to lift the parchment paper off the transfer (the tissue paper should lift right off with NO problem; if the tissue paper feels like it's "sticking" to the transfer that's a sure indication that you haven't let the transfer cool enough)
19. Wash shirt in a vinegar wash (some folks skip this step and it turns out fine; personally I didn't skip it so that's why you see it here - it's your call... and questionable whether it will run in the rain with or without the vinegar wash)
a. 1 cup vinegar in the washer only, nothing else, just the shirt(s) and vinegar, no detergent no fabric softener (and the water of course) and put it through a regular wash cycle
b. if you're concerned about a vinegar smell, you can use a second rinse cycle-
c. I turned my tees inside out before washing-
d. I've read that the purpose of the vinegar wash is to bring out the bright colors. As an fyi, additional info found online stated that the acid in white distilled vinegar is too mild to harm fabrics, yet strong enough to dissolve the alkalis in soaps and detergents.
e. some folks have reported that their shirts "bled" after doing this vinegar wash (my thought is I'd rather it bleed at home than in a rainstorm at Disney); I can't say for sure why the bleeding occurs occasionally but I suspect it may have something to do with holding the iron to the transfer either too long or having the iron too hot as I did 20 "Incredibles" themed shirts and the first few bled but then when I spent less time with the iron on the transfer the later ones did not bleed. All I can say is this is just a theory; your results may vary (YRMV).
f. If doing step then dry the shirt on a low heat setting *
g. Not no heat, it needs SOME heat!
h. If only drying a couple of shirts, put a towel or two in the dryer to keep the shirt from bunching up
20. Post pix back to the boards to thank the DISigners for sharing their talents
a. if taking a pix indoors, the pix looks better if you can turn off the flash and set the camera to "macro" then get close enough to read the design but also see the "look" of the tee (i.e., the collar, sleeves, etc.)
21. Sit back, and enjoy!
A Word of advice... dont underestimate the amount of time you need to make these shirts; there's a lot of steps involved. Add a couple extra days to your timeline to allow for snafus!
Some folks Scotchgard the shirts (inside & outside) before wearing them to help protect them from bleeding. Personally, I haven't done this and two of my shirts bled when the wearer used Purell to disinfect their hands!
What type shirt (fabric)should I use?
by Baloo and J&NMom
Cotton or Poly/Cotton Blend fabric
T-shirts
Sweat shirts or pants
Canvas totes
Pillow cases
Walmart and K-mart carry Hanes and Fruit of the Loom shirts at everyday low prices! Jiffy is also a place where many people recommend you get your shirts.
Most hobby stores sell T-shirts for around $4.99 and people have been very happy with these shirts.
Check out the sales racks in whatever store you're in, there's no telling what sort of prize you might find!
Do you have any tips on ironing the transfer?by Baloo and J&NMom
These are tips for transferring that people have suggested .But directions on different brands of transfer paper vary so be sure to read and follow the manufactures directions!
You MUST prewash your shirts before transferring
Prewash ANY fabric before using transfers.It removes sizing or starch applied by the manufacture.
Do NOT add fabric softener or bleach when prewashing.
Do NOT add fabric softener sheets when drying.
Print a Preview ... always, always print a preview copy of your image before printing it on the (expensive) transfer paper. Do this to insure that colors print correctly, that your image doesn't fall into your printer's no-print zone along the margins, and to see what size your design will be (sometimes the on-screen view can be deceiving).
Flip Image if the directions call for it don't forget to flip or mirror your image. This is especially critical if you have text in your design. The text should be backwards on screen or on the print out. (Another good reason to print a preview copy first!)
Use the Right Side of the Paper ...Transfer paper has stripes or a grid on the non-printing side. Be sure to put the paper in your printer so that it prints on the clean white side.
White Does Not Print... In designing your artwork remember that WHITE does not print. The fabric will show through any parts of the design that are white. For example, if you print a white ghost on plaid fabric you'll get a plaid ghost! Plan your design accordingly. As with any desktop publishing project, consider the background color when selecting colors for your designs.
Test on Scrap Fabric Test... your design on scratch fabric before applying it to your final T-shirt or other fabric. Some types of fabric may require more ironing (heat) than others or may not show off your design as well as you expected.
Use Lots of Heat... Use your iron's hottest setting but no steam. It takes a lot of heat to transfer the image evenly and completely to the fabric. Peel off the paper while it is still hot.
Use a Hard Surface... The reason transfer instructions specify a hard surface (such as Formica) is because it holds the heat. Ironing boards tend to disperse the heat and the transfer paper needs to be very hot to work properly.
