Newbie looking for advice

[supermanfan]

I would like to make personalized shirts for my family trip and have been enjoying all of the designs on here.

For simple shirts I could airbrush them, but I am looking for examples that others have used so I can get a feel for how they should look or will turn out.

For more photorealistic shirts I can design the looks in photoshop and print them out on iron on transfers. Is that the best way though?

I always get the ugly block on the shirt when I do iron-ons. Am I supposed to be using an exacto knife to cut the part out that I specifically want for the transfer.

What is the best practice?

 

[DisneyMom92]

I am sure you will see all types, from the "ugly block" to the X-acto knife cutouts to hand painted and airbrushed. It partially depends on the skill level and the attention to detail of the operator, as well as the time available to dedicate to the project. I have made probably more than 1000 shirts, all with iron-ons of some sort, the greatest majority from my ink jet printer. I have cut some out with the X-acto knife, embellished others, slapped some on quickly and ran, etc. The best thing is to start experimenting and see what you like best. Personally, I think the airbrushing would be totally cool.