Why did my colors run?

[heatherlynn444]

I spent a lot of time and money buying shirts, transfer paper, ink etc. and made shirts for my whole family for our trip. we got to the park and my dd started sweating adn the colors started running! we washed them later and they are all faded! I did everything it said to do..wash the shirts before you start, etc. they were so pretty and now I am afraid to try again. what went wrong?

 

[jtanddolly]

Unfortunately that is one of the problems with some transfer iron ons. Some people recommend doing a "vinegar" wash after you iron on the transfer to set the colors.

I use Amy Mickey's iron on transfers and you don't have to worry with a vinegar wash and the only problem I had with an iron on running was when my 2 year old spilled lemonade all over the shirt he was wearing. But we didn't have any problems with regular water, washing, etc. My 3 year old has worn his shirt and we have washed them several times without any fading or colors running. In the future...don't give up. Try Amy Mickey's iron on transfers. The only downside to them is that they are dark transfers and if you overheat the iron...red t-shirts will bleed through during the iron on process. I also suggest using 100% cotton tees. They just seemed to work better for me.

I'm sorry you had that problem. That is frustrating after all of the work you did to make the shirts.

 

[heatherlynn444]

it was so frustrating! I used avery transfers, the same transfers my friend used to make me a shirt that I have worn several times without it running! it was so weird and upsetting at the same time!

thank you for the tip on what transfers to use. maybe I will try again for another trip.

 

[stormer]

I sprayed some of my shirts with Scothgard before we wore them - only the ones with a lot of dark colors. It worked great - no running or fading on any shirts.

 

[tigger813]

The Wilton ones also run!

I will only buy Amy's transfers from now on!

 

[Kelly in NY]

i never heard of amy's iron ons...where can you get them?

 

[jtanddolly]

i never heard of amy's iron ons...where can you get them?

www.amymickey.com If you want to make t-shirts, this is the best t-shirt transfer paper that I have found! I recommend using 100% cotton t-shirts when making them and don’t overheat your iron. My iron was too hot when I used the transfer sheets on red t-shirts and the red bled through. Amy sends out the papers with good instructions...just follow them.

This is a dark transfer paper that you have to order online.

 

[sumlthomp]

I sprayed some of my shirts with Scothgard before we wore them - only the ones with a lot of dark colors. It worked great - no running or fading on any shirts.

After washing and before ironing on??