How To Use T Shirt Transfer Paper: Beginners Guide
Dec 30, 2021
Step One: Getting the Appropriate Heat Press Machine
There are different types of heat press machines in various styles and designs, each having its unique features. These features are what determines the kind of project you can undertake with the machine.
Some heat press machines include malfunction, swing-away, and slide-out drawer. If you are in need of something more versatile, then the swing-away is your best bet.
The Size
Size also plays a pivotal role when getting this type of machine. For instance, if you work with smaller designs, like a few letters or small designs, then you should choose a smaller device. This will give you a perfect print. You do a deep dive into the printer for heat transfer paper in our article on how to print t-shirt easily by using heat transfer paper capable printer.
Generally, there are three sizes to choose from, and these are:
Small heat press machine.
Medium/standard heat press machine and.
Big heat press machine
Step Two: Choosing a Suitable Fabric
The kind of fabric you are printing on will also affect the end product of your material. As we all know, it is not every fabric that we apply heat on. And from the name, heat press actually uses heat.
So when working using this, it is crucial to avoid any fabric that is not heat-compatible. These include most synthetic materials. Cotton, spandex, and polyester are suitable alternatives.
Step Three: Selecting the Right Transfer Paper
We have mentioned earlier that the different types of transfer paper and the color of the fabric is what determines the model you are going to use.
Accordingly, there are other variations whose use is dependent on the type of printer and method used. Some of them are:
Inkjet transfer paper can only be used with inkjet ink and printer.
Laser transfer papers are only to be used with laser printers.
Heat transfer vinyl is already made. All you need to do is cut out the design and then paste and print.
Step Four: Preparing the Graphics
Once you have chosen a machine, fabric, and transfer paper, you have to make your graphics. The graphics include the image, artwork, writing, logo, or any other thing you want to print on the shirt.
For this, you will need a computer and the appropriate software. This software will allow you to play with designs until you are satisfied with one. The most common ones are the Adobe illustrator and Corel-draw software.
Step Five: Print on Transfer Paper
Now, you have to get your transfer paper ready. Don’t fret; it is as simple as printing on an ordinary paper. You just have to ensure that you print the design on the coated side of the paper.
From the outcome of the printing, you will be able to tell if the color is right or if you will need to adjust that. If you make any mistakes, keep printing until you get the perfect outcome on paper. Also, remember to reverse the image before printing on the transfer paper. This is particularly important when using light transfer paper.
Step Six: Test the Transfer Paper
When you have finally gotten the perfect design printed on the transfer paper, it is time to test it out on the fabric to see how it will look. This is why we advise that you get as many transfer papers as possible. Similarly, make use of old shirts and fabrics for the testing.
Like with the printing, you test to see how the print will look on a shirt. You check the size ratio, the color contrast, etc. And then you make whatever changes are necessary based on the outcome of the samples. Also, you can have people give their opinion so that you come up with an impeccable result.
Step Seven: Print the Shirt
Now that you have tested the design and have everything ready, you can prep your heat-press machine by adjusting the time, temperature, and pressure based on the type of fabric you are using. Most transfer papers and heat press machines come with the essential guide on a manual.
The next thing is to place the transfer paper on the shirt, with the printed side touching the shirt at exactly where you would want the design. Place the Teflon paper on the shirt. Adjust and make sure that the paper has not slipped off the shirt.
Press the machine to transfer the design. To avoid ink from getting to the other side of the shirt, you can place a cardboard paper between the two sides of the shirt. Remove your shirt and let it dry before folding and packing.
