I hope someone can learn from my rookie mistakes

[ccgirl]

Hi there,

So...I have just made my first batch of t-shirts and made quite a few mistakes along the way. I thought I would share so someone else doesn't make the same mistakes and the shirts end up costing a small fortune like they did for me.

1. Laser printer and ink jet printer are not the same thing. Who knew??? I'm sure a lot of you did but I used ink jet transfer paper in a laser printer and tried to iron it on. It does NOT transfer no matter how hard you press the iron down.

2. You cannot save a few bucks and use light transfer paper on shirts with colors other than white. Yes, this even includes pink. The shirt color will show through the design making it all blurry.

3. You do NOT need to reverse the image on the dark transfer paper. I know the directions said that but I didn't read them all the way through until I was done. Lesson learned - read ALL directions before beginning. Funny...I tell my DD7 this when she does homework but didn't take my own advice.

4. Transfer paper is not all created equal. I first used the transfermations at Michaels and those were AWFUL!!!!! I then used some by Avery that I got at Walmart and they were great. I didn't have time to order any transfer paper as I waited until the last minute - which leads me to tip #5.

5. Do not wait until the last minute to make your creations. I haven't slept in 2 nights and have to go back out to get 2 sheets of dark transfer paper and one more pink shirt and we leave tomorrow.

UGH!!!! I know some of you are probably laughing thinking what a dunce I was but if this saves even one person from making a mistake I made....it was worth embarassing myself!!

To all the Disigners - thank you for all that you do. The designs I chose were wonderful!

 

[seajay]

Thanks for posting this... We leave in 11 days and I haven't put the transfers on the shirts or tote bags yet. Also, thanks for the info on the Avery stuff - I ordered transfers from Amy but now I think I need 2 more and could use the Avery as a last minute option (maybe on a tote bag).

again, thanks for sharing your lesson.

Seajay

 

[tlh0726]

Just wanted to say, HAVE A GREAT TRIP!!!!

 

[bgsnmky]

Thanks for posting this... We leave in 11 days and I haven't put the transfers on the shirts or tote bags yet. Also, thanks for the info on the Avery stuff - I ordered transfers from Amy but now I think I need 2 more and could use the Avery as a last minute option (maybe on a tote bag).

again, thanks for sharing your lesson.

Seajay

Seajay..just curious where did you get the tote bags??

 

[bababear_50]

Hugs Hon

Thanks for taking the time to post this,,I've ruined a few t-shirts and wish this had been posted then.

I decided to take the
Live -Learn-Laugh attitude or I would have cried.

Hugs to you

Mel

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

I'm getting ready to start on my first iron ons this weekend and I'm sooo nervous that I'm giong to goof up, thanks for the tips.

 

[Britgirlus]

Thanks for your tips !! We leave for vacation in - eeek - 17 days - and I haven't done any t-shirts yet. I have some wonderful disigns, I have transfer paper (Avery), and I have even printed out a couple of them !! I bought more t-shirts today - just can't figure out what disign to put on what shirt, I am SO not artistic or crafty What size do you all usually print stuff out at ? I have a huge dh, not quite as huge me, and tiny 6 year old ds. So many decisions, so little time !!