How to Make Initial T-Shirts

Iron-on transfers can create other types of shirts in addition to those with initials.

Even if you do not deem yourself a crafty person, you can create an initial T-shirt in less than 30 minutes. Most custom-made initial shirts are made with iron-on transfers. These initial transfers, along with other types of images, are printed onto a special paper and then transferred to the shirt. You can easily cut out the middle man and create the initial yourself for a one-of-a-kind shirt.

Things You'll Need

• Printer
• Transfer paper
• Ironing board
• Iron

Instructions

1. Upload a picture of the initial you want. Resize it photo to your preference and save the file. Prior to printing, select the option to “flip, mirror or rotate” the photo. You can find this option under "Printer Preferences."

2. Insert the transfer paper into the printer and press “Print.” Remove the image from the printer and trim around the initial, leaving at least a 1-inch border around the initial's edge.

3. Lay the shirt on an ironing board and preheat the iron to the hottest setting, which is typically that for cotton. Smooth out any wrinkles on the shirt. Place the image onto the shirt where you want to bond it to the fabric. Make any adjustments prior to removing the backing; once the backing is off it will begin to bond to the shirt.

4. Remove the backing and press downward on the transfer with your hand.

5. Press the iron onto the back of the image transfer and hold for five seconds. Pick the iron straight up and press down on another area for five seconds. This will help the image begin to stick to the shirt.

6. Glide the iron around the image transfer in 20 second intervals. As you glide the iron over the decal, press down gently down around the edges of the initial.

7. Test the edge of the image before you peel the backing off the shirt to ensure it is completely bonded. If the image remains but the backing pulls upward, then pull the backing completely up and discard.

Tips & Warnings

• Hand-wash the shirt the first few times to ensure the transfer remains attached to the shirt.

References

• McGonigal Paper & Graphics: Iron on Transfer Paper Instructions
• GarmentCare.info: How to Iron a Shirt Like a Pro