How to keep colors from running?

[mommyto_3princesses]

I am very new at this and I made a white t-shirt with a black mickey head with the name in the middle in yellow. After I washed it the black faded onto the white. I had pre-washed the shirt and then washed it in cold after I did the transfer. My printer is a HP photosmart CS180 all in 1. Can anyone tell me what I did wrong?? TIA

 

[mommyto_3princesses]

Anyone?

 

[Disneymommy2006]

There's a thread with 20 steps to making shirts started by heartbeeps- I think?? It has lots of good information. One thing I read somewhere here was to wash with vinegar (no detergent and no fabric softener) to set the designs on the shirt. Now- having said that, I have made some shirts but did not do this step- I also read that the designs will fade a bit even during this process. I want my t's to look new and crisp for our trip. One other tip- someone here used scotchguard on the front and back of the designs on their t's. They said this creates a waterproof seal so the t's won't run if you happen to get wet while wearing them or when you wash them. I'm thinking that the scotchguard route is the way I am going with my shirts. I would hate to ruin them (I'll have about 30 when I'm finished !) Anyway, I am no expert- just sharing somethings I've read here- Hope this helps!

 

[heartbeeps]

I am very new at this and I made a white t-shirt with a black mickey head with the name in the middle in yellow. After I washed it the black faded onto the white. I had pre-washed the shirt and then washed it in cold after I did the transfer. My printer is a HP photosmart CS180 all in 1. Can anyone tell me what I did wrong?? TIA

can you post a pix? (I'm wondering if you ironed long enough or even too long)?
curious, did you use a light or dark transfer? what brand?

 

[heartbeeps]

There's a thread with 20 steps to making shirts started by heartbeeps- I think?? It has lots of good information.

yep, I started that thread - here it is

One thing I read somewhere here was to wash with vinegar (no detergent and no fabric softener) to set the designs on the shirt.

yep, I did that step every time (and I've made over 70 shirts by now).

I also read that the designs will fade a bit even during this process.

I have not noticed any fading on my shirts; however, I will say that IMHO the dark transfers produce much more vibrant colors than the light transfers (HP brand at least).

One other tip- someone here used scotchguard on the front and back of the designs on their t's. They said this creates a waterproof seal so the t's won't run if you happen to get wet while wearing them or when you wash them.

I did not use scotchguard on any of my tees. I did have about 2 tees (using dark HP transfers) that had just a hint of redness bleed (you may not really notice - I really got up close to the shirt ). My "theory" is that I may have ironed them improperly (not sure - too long or not long enough though)! These were two of the first shirts I did. (Here's a pix - notice the red "hue" around Mr. I.)

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Not sure this helps but that's my experience.

 

[mommyto_3princesses]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I will try to post some pics soon.