Preparing to make 35 shirts--update w/ pics

[dr&momto2boys]

In preparing for our September extended family vacation, we've decided on MANY designs that we love (Thank you everybody!) and are preparing to make 35 T-Shirts! None of us have ever made any before. I've got all the right colors and sizes of shirts that we need ready to order. I've decided to get the dark transfer paper for all the shirts. I have a couple of questions and need a little encouragement before I actually press "send" on my shirt order and buy the transfer paper.

1. Should I use dark transfer paper on white shirts? (Since I plan to buy a big box of it for the whole project.) We're doing the family stick figure designs on 10 shirts (for our 10 family members!) I plan to trim off the border.

2. Should I go buy a couple of kids shirts and a small box of transfer paper and try a couple first, before committing to this big project? I've never done anything like this before. Will I be pleased with the results? I'm a perfectionist!

3. Should I plan on a cerrtain amount of waste? How much paper am I likely to waste? I will test print or at least print preview before I print to the transfer paper. Should I order an extra t-shirt or two for my first attempt? We're ordering all different sizes and colors though--although the little kids have several that will be the same color. Maybe an extra of those and try those first?

Once I start something, I really like to finish it. I don't want to start this project one day, then have to get more supplies and try it again another day.

Does anyone have any tips or warnings for a novice like myself? I am able to get my MIL and SIL to help with the actual iron-on process. (Hopefully, it will go faster that way.) How long will it take, anyway?

 

[M_I_C_K_E_Y]

In preparing for our September extended family vacation, we've decided on MANY designs that we love (Thank you everybody!) and are preparing to make 35 T-Shirts! None of us have ever made any before. I've got all the right colors and sizes of shirts that we need ready to order. I've decided to get the dark transfer paper for all the shirts. I have a couple of questions and need a little encouragement before I actually press "send" on my shirt order and buy the transfer paper.

1. Should I use dark transfer paper on white shirts? (Since I plan to buy a big box of it for the whole project.) We're doing the family stick figure designs on 10 shirts (for our 10 family members!) I plan to trim off the border.

2. Should I go buy a couple of kids shirts and a small box of transfer paper and try a couple first, before committing to this big project? I've never done anything like this before. Will I be pleased with the results? I'm a perfectionist!

3. Should I plan on a cerrtain amount of waste? How much paper am I likely to waste? I will test print or at least print preview before I print to the transfer paper. Should I order an extra t-shirt or two for my first attempt? We're ordering all different sizes and colors though--although the little kids have several that will be the same color. Maybe an extra of those and try those first?

Once I start something, I really like to finish it. I don't want to start this project one day, then have to get more supplies and try it again another day.

Does anyone have any tips or warnings for a novice like myself? I am able to get my MIL and SIL to help with the actual iron-on process. (Hopefully, it will go faster that way.) How long will it take, anyway?

Hopefully I can help with some of this.

1) Yes, you can use dark paper on white shirts as well. I think that the colors are nicer and the transfers appear not so shiny. I would just buy dark for all of them and for that many shirts be sure to buy in bulk!

2) Just buy it all now. Commit to doing them all and you'll be surprised how easy it is. I can't make any promises but I think you will be happy and pleased with the results when you are done. One thing I have to say though is (coming from another perfectionist) any small imperfections that you may have will probably not be seen by anyone but you. (example - not exactly centered, etc.)

3) Yes, always do a test print on paper before printing to transfers but it also would not hurt to have a few extra transfers. I found that out of 50 shirts, I probably 'goofed' on 5 or so. It can never hurt to have a few extra around. And then if you don't ruin any, you have some laying around for next time. As far as shirts, I would suggest practicing on just a child's play shirt or something you have laying around the house. It will help you get the hang of it and just in case something goes wrong, you haven't ruined anything special.

I am not sure how long it will take you. When I did ours, I did it in steps. One day I printed the iron ons, another day I did the cutting and then I ironed over about 4 - 5 days. But then again I did them alone and with only one iron. You'll have extra hands which will be nice.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Oh, thank you! It helps to hear that! I'm very excited about how I *think* they'll turn out. Our 2 little kids and their two little cousins will be sooo cute in their matching shirts (almost everyday of our trip!) We adults are just doing 1. Thanks for the advice!

 

[MrsHeg]

A mistake I made more than once was to over iron, this caused the color of the shirt to bleed through the transfer.

 

[Cruiser1969]

I'm sure you'll be pleased with your shirts when you're done. Be sure to post pictures when you are finished!!

A couple tips from my experiences . . .

1) Remember to give the iron a chance to reheat in between shirts. You might start flying through shirts because it is so easy and forget to follow procedure.

2) On that same note of following procedure . . . remember to run through the process carefully for every shirt. Sometimes it becomes so routine, you might miss a step, like taking the back paper off Trust me, don't get too cocky . . . just follow the steps every single time as if it were your first.

By the way, I saved the shirt that I forgot to peel back the paper. I was very suprised it still worked!

Good luck and have fun!!

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Okay, so iron not too hot...and not too cold! I'd love to post pics when we're done. I'll have to figure out how!

 

[djmeredith]

I just recently experimented with the transfers for the first time and I am also a perfectionist. It turned out to be very easy and I was pleased with the results.

I (and several other posters) had problems getting the backs of the transfer paper to start peeling. The best tip to start the peeling process is to rip or score the back and start peeling BEFORE you trim the excess around the design. I've never had any problems doing it this way, but if I forget to start it before trimming, I end up ruining my transfer because I can never get the peel started.

Good Luck!

 

[Cruiser1969]

I just recently experimented with the transfers for the first time and I am also a perfectionist. It turned out to be very easy and I was pleased with the results.

I (and several other posters) had problems getting the backs of the transfer paper to start peeling. The best tip to start the peeling process is to rip or score the back and start peeling BEFORE you trim the excess around the design. I've never had any problems doing it this way, but if I forget to start it before trimming, I end up ruining my transfer because I can never get the peel started.
Good Luck!

Even if you trim first, a gentle tear on an edge will do the trick. The paper backing will tear so that you can get under it to peel the rest away, but not the "plasic-type" transfer will not tear. The first time I did it, I was a little nervous, but it does work!

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Thanks for the tips!

Okay, I placed my order for shirts and transfer paper. I guess I'm really going to do this! Let me know if you think of any other things I should know before I begin!

 

[disneynewbeemom]

I also made the stick family figure shirts. Ours had a black box around the stick figure family. I did not trim this off -- I think it looks better with the border. We used white shirts with this. I made about 20 shirts and never had any problems. I also used dark transfer paper. I did not have any errors and I am not creative!!! I can't wait to see your shirts!!

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Okay. I got started today and it's MUCH easier than I thought. I'm glad I read up ahead of time though. The best tips were:

1.tear the edge of the paper to get it started, then peel and cut a slit under the the design, then trim.

2. use dark transfer paper on everything--it looks great!

3. print test papers first--I changed the sizing several times

4. for really dark shirts where a lot of the design is white, make sure the iron is not too hot!

I've done 15 shirts so far and they are perfect, except for one. On the very last one, the edge is scortched and the navy blue shows through a little bit. This one had a lot of white and it was the third navy blue shirt that I did. It's really not too bad. I may use it unless I have an extra transfer and want to iron over it. I'll see. The first Navy blue one also had a lot of white in the background and it is absolutely perfect--so don't be afraid to do it!

I'll try to post pictures if I can figure it out. In a few days I'll do the next batch of shirts. I've got 14 more ready to go. 29 may be all unless we do Halloween shirts--which we may--especially seeing how well these are turning out.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Still looking into how to post a picture. Do you have to upload to a website first? I'm assuming you do. Which site is easy to use?

 

[CarolinaGirl86]

Still looking into how to post a picture. Do you have to upload to a website first? I'm assuming you do. Which site is easy to use?

Photobucket.com is really easy to use...just paste the img code into your message...can't wait to see pics!

 

[M_I_C_K_E_Y]

Still looking into how to post a picture. Do you have to upload to a website first? I'm assuming you do. Which site is easy to use?

I use photobucket and it is easy to use. You simply browse your computer for the image, and upload, then choose the IMG Code under the picture and (right click) paste into either the thread or pm message.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

I made 4 just like this one for the kids to wear on the plane. The kids are Kyle age 4, Jacob Age 2, Avery age 1, and Max age 1.

I made 3 yellow ones for the boys and pink of course for the girl! I can just picture how cute our little "gang" will be.

These Cars shirts are for our MGM/Disney Studios day.

And finally...

I can't wait to do more! I may never stop!

 

[dr&momto2boys]

I use photobucket and it is easy to use. You simply browse your computer for the image, and upload, then choose the IMG Code under the picture and (right click) paste into either the thread or pm message.

Thanks!!!

My next project involves your name designs. I plan to cut out each letter, which would look adorable on pink and blue shirts. BUT that's like doing 17 different iron-ons. Stay-tuned! And thanks for designing!