T-shirt printing: the cheapest ways. How to make a print on a T-shirt: step-by-step instructions, necessary materials, tips, photos Materials and technology

Making thermal transfer paper is a method of creating a rolled web that can be used as a base for transferring ink from ribbons. Such a canvas can be produced both industrially and domestically.

Features of the manual method of creating thermal paper

The specificity of thermal transfer paper is its ability to withstand the thermal effect of a print head heated to 80 degrees. The specified canvas consists of three functional parts;

• Top - paper;
• Middle - adhesive layer;
• Bottom - substrate.

It is noteworthy that it is extremely expensive to cook such paper at home; it is easier to buy ready-made paper. But you can transfer the sticker you like from a file on your computer to textiles, ceramics, wood, plastic living conditions. To do this, a drawing is printed on the printer, but only in a mirror image. The image is then centered, and after removing the backing, it is ironed at maximum temperature. In this case, it is important to turn off the steaming effect. It is better to carry out the procedure on a plastic surface, since an ironing board is not suitable due to heat dissipation.

Relationship between manual and industrial thermal transfer printing

It is worth noting that purchasing ingredients yourself, as well as paper industrial production, will not be cheap. For this reason, those who are interested not in one or two items with a thermal transfer image, but in a whole batch, can save money if they order a circulation of products from us. To do this, it is necessary to stipulate the features of the canvas for printing, the characteristics of the image, the circulation and the format of the picture.

Printing speed, high-quality image application and abrasion resistance are the main advantages of industrial thermal transfer printing at Mir Label. The durability of the image on the labels allows the picture to be perfectly transferred to clothing and household items.

Our company will solve the issue of producing thermal transfer paper

We have sufficient experience in choosing the optimal canvas for printing, and we carry out the work of displaying the selected design on a label intended for textiles, ceramics, wood and plastic. This is done through the use of colorful self-adhesive labels. We also offer our clients:

• Optimal minimum circulation size;
• Individual approach to each order;
• Assistance in choosing materials;
• Pre-print layout design.

Order labels on thermal transfer paper from us for marking and decoration, do not waste time and money transferring images from your computer yourself.

A new-fashioned trend in recent years is decorating T-shirts, bags, and backpacks with various thermal transfer stickers, which are usually ordered from specialist designers. In fact, you can make such a sticker on a T-shirt with your own hands, if you know all the details technological process. To paste a picture you need thermal transfer paper and, of course, a flight of fancy.

What is thermal transfer on textiles?

Thermal transfer is the transfer of a pattern through an intermediate layer onto a textile surface. It is used to apply logos to T-shirts, backpacks and industrial products. Thermal transfer paper coated with a special thin film is used as an intermediate carrier, onto which a design is applied using a printer. After the image is printed, the film along with the print is glued to the fabric under high temperature.

Thermal transfer paper can be printed on almost any type of printer and fabric, but it must be remembered that the final result depends on the quality of the intermediate media itself. Thermal paper is best applied if a color laser printer is used, since the ink in such a device is not afraid of water and the T-shirt can withstand more than 50 washes.

Types of thermal transfer paper by type of application:

• for colored textiles;
• for light fabrics;
• For inkjet printers;
• for laser copying machines.

Do-it-yourself thermal transfer paper: the process of drawing a picture

Necessary materials:

• Thermal transfer paper;
• computer program for creating a drawing design;
• printer (preferably laser);
• drawing for application;
• an iron with a sufficient reserve of heat generation;
• hard, flat surface (polished table);
• fabric on which the design will be applied.

Basic rules for drawing

It is necessary to take into account that when transferring a design to a T-shirt, it is desirable that the surface under the fabric be covered with a sheet or other smooth, heat-resistant material without seams. This contributes to more accurate image application. When gluing thermal transfer paper onto textiles with your own hands, you need to heat the iron to maximum temperature for an even and accurate adhesion to the T-shirt. If these requirements are not followed, the pattern will simply begin to come off in pieces when the backing is removed.

As you can see, the procedure for applying a pattern to fabric using thermal paper is simple. The main thing is compliance with all the rules of the technological process. High-quality self-glued thermal transfer paper can last for a very long time and not lose color. Thermal transfer to textiles is the easiest way to change a familiar item and breathe a second life into it.

Textiles with various prints have long ceased to be in short supply. Various manufacturing companies offer a myriad of products. But today we will talk about whether printing on T-shirts is possible at home, whether it is possible to make an exclusive item yourself. If a drawing can be printed on paper, then why not transfer it to fabric? Let's try to create unique clothes with our own hands.

What will you need for work?

To transfer photos to textiles, you will need:

• Color inkjet printer.
• T-shirt.
• Iron.
• Thermal paper.

Important! Only an inkjet printer should be used.

• Fabric for printing must be taken good quality— cotton, without synthetic threads.
• Another important nuance. It is desirable that the fabric be white. Thermal paper has one feature: the design transferred from it to the fabric will be on a white background. There is also colored thermal paper on sale; you can match it to the shade of the fabric. However, it is not cheap.

Important! It is important that the item fits you not tightly, but rather loosely. Otherwise, the image will crack very quickly.

Let's start thermal transfer

How to print on T-shirts at home? The technique is in many ways reminiscent of children's decals. The only difference is that to “translate” the picture onto the fabric you will need not water, but a heated iron.

The procedure is as follows:

• Using a printer, print out the image that you are going to transfer to textiles. Trim any unnecessary paper around the edges of the image.

Important! Before printing, using a graphics editor, flip the image “mirrored”. In this case, it will appear correctly on the fabric. This is especially important for text.

• Lay the T-shirt on the ironing board and thoroughly iron the area where the design will be applied.
• Place the thermal paper on the front of the T-shirt, image side down.
• Preheat the iron as high as possible. Iron the paper for 3-4 minutes.

Important! The iron soleplate heats up the most in the central part, so use that part.

• Leave the thermal paper to cool. Then carefully remove it from the fabric by pulling the corner.

Important! If you see that the paint clings not to the fabric, but to the paper, repeat the procedure again.

Do you need it?

It is generally accepted that handmade items will cost less than factory-made products. You can’t argue with the laws of political economy - most often, this is true. This number does not work with prints on T-shirts.

Do-it-yourself T-shirt printing is an exception to the rule:

• A pack of special paper costs about 15 USD. e.
• Add to this the cost of purchasing a T-shirt. It is necessary that the cotton be of high quality. On cheap Chinese things, the print quality will be appropriate.

Important! Most likely, you will have to purchase several T-shirts, since the first pancake will come out lumpy. And it’s not a fact that only the first one.

Regarding services professional application images on the product, then the cost of work is only 3 USD. e. In addition, using a heat press to process a design cannot be compared with an iron. The image is much more durable.

Care

A T-shirt with a thermal transfer print is quite difficult to care for:

• You can wash it in a machine, but at a temperature not exceeding 30 degrees.
• Before washing, the item must be turned inside out.
• Iron the product at medium temperature, covering the design with tracing paper.

Important! With good care, this image will retain its original appearance even after 20 or more washes.

Video material

Basically, if you love doing different experiments at home and doing handicrafts, then t-shirt printing at home will be an interesting experience for you. And whether you will continue to have a desire to transform your clothes in this way or not - it depends on how well everything turns out and in what style in general you are used to dressing. In any case, good luck if you plan to bring this idea to life!

Transfer is a method of transferring any image from a transfer material to fabric, ceramics or metal. Special thermal transfer paper is used to apply the design. It is available for laser and inkjet printers, for light and dark surfaces. Therefore, before purchasing, you need to clarify so as not to make a mistake with your choice. This paper is produced by the following well-known companies: Lexmark, Canon, Lomond, HP and ProfiLine.

Equipment and materials

For thermal transfer printing you will need:

1. Computer.

Using it, you can easily find a suitable image on the Internet, and then edit it in any special program.

2. Color printer.

Depending on the desired result and type of paper, different printing devices will be used. For example, using an inkjet printer you can obtain an image with a high level of detail, which is then applied to any surface (light, dark, colored). A laser printer prints a design suitable only for light-colored materials.

3. Thermal transfer paper.

Most important material for image transfer, having a special coating. Do-it-yourself thermal transfer paper cannot be made at home. Only companies are engaged in manufacturing. The choice of paper depends on the type of printer and the type of surface on which the image will be printed.

4. Iron or heat transfer press.

At home, you can use an iron to make simple souvenirs. But if you plan to produce on a large scale, then it is better to purchase professional equipment with different molds. These devices are needed to heat thermal transfer paper and print an image onto the surface of the material. The process is quick and easy.

Types of paper

Thermal transfer paper is divided into two categories: for inkjet and laser printers. Using the first type, the image is transferred to light and dark materials. The detailing of the drawing is close to photographic. Thermal transfer paper for laser printing used on light and hard surfaces. The quality is worse, but the speed is much higher.

Disadvantage: if you transfer the picture to fabric, it will become very dense, and the image may stretch.

Advantages: speed of production, minimal financial costs, you can do without special and expensive equipment.

Lomond Thermal Transfer Paper

In any store stationery you can buy Lomond. This is a brand of a well-known company that produces thermal transfer paper for inkjet and laser printers. One such pack contains ten sheets. Prices vary depending on destination. For example, for dark fabrics the cost will be much higher than for light materials. The printed image transfers very easily to baseball caps, T-shirts or other cotton surfaces.

Lomond fluorescent thermal transfer paper is on sale, which allows you to achieve a glow-in-the-dark effect. This is achieved through a special reflective coating. Used for printing on an inkjet printer.

Lomond produces three types of paper:

1. Transfer paper for light-colored materials.

2. Paper for dark surfaces.

3. Fluorescent paper for colored fabrics.

The printed images are transferred to the fabric using a regular iron, but it is better to use a press. The printed design can withstand repeated washing. It does not fade or fade throughout its entire service life. To successfully use the paper, you should carefully read the attached instructions.

Types of surfaces for drawing

Thermal transfer printer paper helps you easily and quickly transfer the printed image to any surface.

Cotton fabrics: baseball caps, shirts, T-shirts, etc. The more cotton, the stronger the pattern will stick to the material.

Hard surfaces: ceramics, plastic, metal, etc. Image transfer is carried out using paper from laser printer, which is well suited for smooth surfaces.

Transfer technology

1. Print.

High-quality thermal transfer paper must be prepared. You can draw any image with your own hands using a computer program and print it in a mirror image.

2. Preparation for the transfer.

It is necessary to cut out the printed image with a 5 mm edge. For work, prepare a comfortable and level table. Cover it with a soft pillowcase backing. Place your favorite T-shirt, pre-ironed, on the backing, and cut the transfer paper on top, picture side down.

3. Transfer.

Using a well-heated iron, pressing as hard as possible, stroke the image with even, circular movements. Never turn on the steam function! Ironing is done for 1-2 minutes, through a sheet of paper or fabric, so as not to damage the image. Then let the T-shirt cool. After ten minutes, repeat smoothing. Try to go well over the entire area of ​​the drawing. Then remove the protective sheet and carefully peel off the transfer paper.

As a result, you have made a unique T-shirt that no one else has. The technology is very simple and can be easily mastered by any beginner.

Exploitation

The T-shirt must be turned inside out and washed in warm water, the temperature of which should not exceed 40 degrees. Do not use bleach or use the quick dry setting (in the washing machine). Iron the fabric with an iron (without steam) preheated to average temperature. Use protective paper for this.

From this article you learned what thermal transfer paper is and how to use it at home. If all instructions are followed, you will get a high-quality souvenir that will last a long time.

Fabric printing at home

Using a regular inkjet printer, which most readers have at home, you can apply inscriptions and designs to clothing, as well as make flags, pennants and other unique small-sized products.

Image transfer media

Almost any inkjet printer or MFP - both modern and long since discontinued - allows you to print images on special media for transferring to products made from cotton and mixed fabrics that can withstand prolonged heating. The structure of such media includes a dense paper base and a thin elastic layer that is attached to the fabric when heated - it is on its surface that ink is applied during the printing process.

Each of the world's leading manufacturers of inkjet printers includes branded printed media for transferring images onto fabric. Thus, Canon’s product line includes T-Shirt Transfer media (TR-301), Epson has Iron-On Cool Peel Transfer Paper (C13S041154), and HP has Iron-On T-Shirt Transfers (C6050A). Retail packages of the listed media (Fig. 1) contain ten sheets of A4 format.

In addition, third-party manufacturers also produce media for transferring images onto fabric. For example, the well-known company Lomond in our country offers several options: Ink Jet Transfer Paper for Bright Cloth (for light fabrics), Ink Jet Transfer Paper for Dark Cloth (for dark fabrics) and Ink Jet Luminous Transfer Paper (suitable for dark and light fabrics, and thanks to fluorescent additives the image glows in the dark). The listed Lomond media (Fig. 2) are available in packs of 10 and 50 sheets in A4 and A3 formats.

Preparing the image

Image preparation and output can be performed in any raster or vector graphics editor. However, it must be taken into account that due to the characteristics of both inkjet technology, and the thermal transfer process itself, the image transferred to fabric using a special medium will be noticeably different from the same image printed by the same printer on regular, and even more so on photo paper. In particular, the image transferred to fabric is characterized by lower contrast, smaller color gamut and worse reproduction of light shades compared to a control print made even on ordinary paper. office paper. In order to minimize losses when preparing raster images (photos, reproductions, etc.), it is necessary to increase their contrast and saturation. When creating and editing vector images for shading objects and outlines, it makes sense to use clean, saturated colors, and, if possible, avoid using light shades and very fine lines.

Photographs, as well as vector and raster designs with a lot of halftones and gradient transitions will look best on items made of white fabric with a fine texture. The fact is that a fabric color other than white can significantly distort the colors of the original picture. For this reason, to transfer images to melange or colored fabric, it is advisable to create monochrome designs or images with limited quantity colors.

For the most effective use of special media, several individual small-sized images can be arranged on one sheet like pattern pieces, leaving gaps 10-15 mm wide between their boundaries.

Seal

So, the image is ready. In the printer settings, select the thermal transfer media, the format and orientation of the sheets used (Fig. 3). In order for the inscriptions transferred to the fabric to be read normally, and for the images to “look” in the same direction as the original, they must be printed in a mirror image. To do this, activate the option of mirroring the printed image in the printer driver settings (in Russian versions it can be called “mirror” or “flip horizontally”, in English - flip or mirror). If the driver of the printer you are using does not provide such an option, look for it in the print settings of the program from which you plan to print the drawing (Fig. 4 and 5). To check that the settings you have chosen are correct, use the preview mode.

Transferring an image to fabric

An ironing press is best suited for transferring a printed image onto fabric - it will ensure the most durable fixation of the design. However, if you don’t have such a device among your household utensils, you can use a regular iron.

Prepare a work table with a flat, hard surface that is resistant to prolonged heat (an ironing board, unfortunately, will not work for this purpose). In addition, you will need a piece of clean cloth.

Cut out the image printed on a sheet of special media, retreating 5-6 mm from its borders.

Set the iron control to the maximum power position. If your model has a steamer, turn it off. Leave the iron on for a while until it reaches maximum temperature.

Since the power and temperature conditions of different iron models differ, you will have to experiment to select the optimal transfer time. To do this, it makes sense to print a few small test images and try to transfer them onto a scrap piece of fabric.

After making sure that the iron is warm, place a previously prepared piece of clean cloth on the work table and carefully smooth it out so that there are no wrinkles or folds left. Then place the item you plan to transfer the design onto on top of this fabric. Prepare the surface for transferring the image by ironing it.

Place the cut out print face down where you want it to go according to your design. To best fix the image, it is advisable to use the widest part of the iron's working surface. When transferring a large image, it is best to smooth the sheet in several passes, slowly moving the iron pressed tightly to the table along the long side of the design (Fig. 6). The duration of one pass should be about 30 seconds.

Turn the iron 180° and repeat the above procedure, starting from the opposite edge. Then carefully iron the edges of the transferred image, moving the iron pressed firmly around the perimeter of the image.

After completing the above steps, allow the product to cool for one to two minutes, and then carefully peel off the paper backing by grabbing it at any of the corners. Please note that it will be much more difficult to remove the base from a completely cooled product.

If you plan to apply several images or inscriptions to the same product, you must place them in such a way that they do not overlap each other.

Care of finished products

Items with images printed using the described method are best washed in cold water using powder for colored items. T-shirts and shirts with translated images should be turned inside out before loading them into the washing machine. Be prepared for the colors in the image to become less vibrant and saturated after the first wash - this is quite normal.

Well-fixed images can withstand several dozen washes with minimal loss of brightness and saturation. However, optimal preservation is ensured by hand washing.