How to Use Iron-On Transfer Paper

You can turn any photo, cartoon, picture, or saying into personalized T-shirts, sweatshirts, aprons, and other garments by using iron-on transfer paper. The process is very simple and all you need to know are a few key things in order to make fun (and even quirky) shirts! Make shirts for any kind of party, a family reunion, a special “girl’s night out,” or any other reason that you’d like to “announce” on your shirt. You can also make shirts out of vacation photos you’ve taken---maybe some exotic beach in the Caribbean or a mountaintop in the Rockies.

Here’s what you need:

• Clean, plain-colored garment (preferably cotton, or a cotton/poly blend)
• Photo, graphic, saying, or other image you want to transfer onto the garment
• Iron-On Transfer paper (available in stores like Wal-Mart or Target, and office supply stores like Office Depot or Staples)
• A hard surface, such as a table or kitchen counter-top
• Pillowcase or low-pile towel
• Iron

Making the Transfer

You must first create a computer file of the photo, graphic, or saying, which can be Word document, a JPG file (or any type of picture file that your computer recognizes), or even a PDF file.

If you are using a photo that you’ve downloaded from your camera into your computer, then that picture is already a JPG file. If you have an actual photo, then you will need to scan the photo and save it as a JPG file. It is possible that you will need to enlarge the photo (which you can do in any type of photo editor software that you have installed on your computer).

If you simply want a saying on your shirt, then you can create the saying in a Word document, and change the font, font size, and font color until you have the desired effect.

You might have found free printable iron-on transfers on a website that you have downloaded to your computer. Be sure you remember where you saved the files when you downloaded them! Very often the free printable iron-on transfers are ready to be printed and transferred, and require no further preparation.

Once you have the image that you are planning to transfer onto your garment, a good tip is to print that transfer on plain paper, trim to size, and then pin to the garment onto which it will be transferred. If you are using an image that you’ve created, you might want to tweak it a little to fit or to suit you.

Printing the Transfer

Before you print the image on the iron-on transfer paper, it is essential that you read the instructions that come with the paper. Most types of iron-on transfer paper require that the image be “reversed” (“flipped” or “mirrored” so that it reads backward). This is because you will be putting the transfer paper face down onto the garment and ironing the back of the transfer paper. When you peel away the backing, the image will appear correctly.

If you do need to reverse the image (some instructions may tell you to “mirror” or “flip” the image), you can do so in one of two ways: either use your printer’s settings (refer to the printer manual for instructions) or open the image in a program like Microsoft Paint, reverse or “flip” it, and then re-save the file. Regardless of which process you use, you should only use one method to reverse the image.

To make the change in Paint, click on the word “Image” in the toolbar and select Flip/Rotate.

Regardless of which method you’ve used to reverse the image, a good tip is to print one on plain paper. Make sure that the image is backward (as though you are looking at it in the mirror).

Now, print it on the iron-on transfer paper. You may want to set your printer to the “best quality” print settings to get nice, deep rich color tones.

Once the transfer is printed, trim the transfer as needed so that you will only be transferring what you want to appear on the garment. (Be sure to refer to the transfer paper instructions beforehand.)

Ironing the Transfer Onto the Garment

Check the instructions that come with the transfer paper. Most transfer paper instructions indicate that you should heat the iron to its hottest setting (Cotton) and not to use the “Steam” feature (that is, use a hot, dry iron). While the iron is heating, spread a pillowcase or low-pile towel on a table or counter top. Iron out all the wrinkles.

Carefully lay the garment on the pillowcase/towel. Iron out all the wrinkles. Position the iron-on transfer on the garment. Look carefully to make sure you have it on exactly where you want it to be. Once you begin to iron it on, you won’t be able to move it.

It is very important that you read the instructions carefully before you begin to iron! Review the instructions for the correct length of time to iron the transfer. Have a watch with a second hand, or a small digital timer handy so that you can time yourself.

For most transfer papers, you will be ironing the back of the transfer paper itself. Some transfer papers require that you lay a piece of tissue or onionskin paper (which is supplied in the package) over the transfer before you begin to iron.

Once you start to iron, apply steady, even downward pressure on the iron. Rotate the iron constantly, either in a circular motion or by sweeping it back and forth or up and down (the shape of the transfer might dictate what motion pattern will work best). This will prevent scorching the garment. Keep the pressure even. Try not to catch the edges of the transfer paper with the tip or back-end of the iron.

Iron for the required length of time. Do not over-iron. Although the garment itself should not be scorched, the actual transfer paper (or tissue) might be slightly scorched---this is normal.

Remove the garment from the table/counter and place on a flat surface (such as a bed). Allow to cool.

Peeling Away the Transfer Paper

Once the garment is completely cool, you can begin to peel away the backing paper. (Note: If your transfer paper required you to use a piece of tissue paper over the transfer, then it is likely that there is nothing to peel away.)

Gently pick at one corner or edge of the transfer paper. You may find it easiest if you put one hand underneath the garment and push up while you are starting to peel away the paper. Once you’ve got the peeling started, pull slowly and steadily. For very large transfers, work toward pulling away one whole side of the transfer paper and then peeling it back (like opening a sardine can).

Washing the Garment

Although iron-on transfers are fairly durable, you can prolong the life of the transfer print by following these tips:

• Turn the garment inside out
• Place garment in laundry bag (or pillowcase)
• Launder on gentle cycle
• Allow to air dry (or if you must tumble dry, do not use high heat setting or allow to over-dry)
• If you must iron the garment, iron around the transfer or turn the garment inside out and iron on lowest possible setting

Iron-on transfers are fun to use---and you can let your imagination run wild over what to put onto a shirt!

Be sure to look for free printable iron-on transfers that are available on websites such as Mom’s Break(www.MomsBreak.com).

For an illustrated tutorial on iron-on transfers, go to: How To Use Iron-On-Transfers.

Jan K., The Proofer is a freelance copyeditor and proofreader. Visit Jan’s Portal (http://www.jansportal.com) for more information about Jan's free crafts, recipes, tutorials, other resource sites, and free content articles, as well as Jan’s freelance proofreading business services. Be sure to visit Mom's Break (http://www.momsbreak.com/) for free printable crafts and projects. © Copyright 2005 to present. All rights reserved.