transfers

[kltintx]

I am new to making t-shirts. Can some give me a simple explanation about dark and light transfers? Is it the art or the t-shirt that dictates which transfer to use? Do I cut out the images to the edge? If it's an image that can't easily be cut out -- should that go on dark/light shirt?

Thanks so much!!
Kendra

 

[heartbeeps]

welcome to the club. I was new too not so long ago so I initiated this thread on how to do dark transfers. You can learn from my mistakes and hopefully it'll serve as a primer for you.

simple explanation - I'll give it a shot but others can do a much better job so take mine with a grain of salt

light transfers - come out "clear" - anything "white" on the design will appear the same color as the shirt so it's recommended you stick to white (or very light) shirt. (You also have to reverse or flip the image before printing because you'll iron it face down and remove the backing when done ironing.)

dark transfers - come out "white" - anything "white" on the design will appear white on the shirt - it will NOT take on the color of the shirt. (You do NOT reverse or flip the image before printing; you'll iron it face up with a piece of parchment paper between the transfer and the hot iron.)

Personally, all things being equal, I like dark transfers as the colors are more vibrant. That being said, there is a "niche" for light transfers in my book - but it's a very small niche at that! And, my experience has been that dark were easier to use - of course it may be because I created about 55 dark transfer shirts and just got it down pat!

An example of a shirt using a dark transfer (containing white):

[/IMG]
(thanks again Telynn for the design!)

An example of a shirt using a light transfer (containing white):

[/IMG]
(Using the same design, you can see the white turns out clear... and a tad too shiny for my tastes on this white tee.)

I do like the "look" of this light transfer; I think partially because it's small -

[/IMG]


EXAMPLES OF WHAT NOT TO DO (unless you like this look):
This example shows a light transfer used on a blue tee; you'll notice the image is "bluish" from picking up the blue in the tee. (thanks again Telynn for this design as well.)

[/IMG]

Another example of a light transfer used on a pink tee. The lines outlining Mickey were white - they took on the color of the pink tee once ironed on.

[/IMG]
I also think this gives it a "scotch tape" appearance - which I do NOT like! lol


good luck! here's some food for thought for ya...

 

[kltintx]

(You do NOT reverse or flip the image before printing; you'll iron it face up with a piece of parchment paper between the transfer and the hot iron.)



I didn't know you don't reverse with dark transfers! That's GOOD to know -- now and not later! : )

Thanks
Kendra

 

[noahdove]

I usually cut around the design just to make it smaller before I iron it on You only need to reverse or mirror the image if it's on a light transfer sheet..one thing I alsmost erred on is, to remember to pull the backing off of the dark transfer....ooo, would I have made a mess good luck..

 

[heartbeeps]

(You do NOT reverse or flip the image before printing; you'll iron it face up with a piece of parchment paper between the transfer and the hot iron.)

I didn't know you don't reverse with dark transfers! That's GOOD to know -- now and not later! : ) Thanks Kendra

yep, no flipping (aka reversing images) before printing for DARKS!
Always flip before printing for LIGHTS!

 

[kltintx]

I usually cut around the design just to make it smaller before I iron it on You only need to reverse or mirror the image if it's on a light transfer sheet..one thing I alsmost erred on is, to remember to pull the backing off of the dark transfer....ooo, would I have made a mess good luck..

For the designs that you can cut, I was also thinking that by cutting it out, you only have the image and not a white block or that clear scotch tape look.