How to Make Fabric Iron-ons

Images on transfer paper are attached to fabric when you iron them.

Fabric iron-ons are images you can stick permanently onto fabric via the application of heat from an iron. While you can find ready-made iron-ons in stores and online, making a sticker of your own is not a difficult task. In particular, you won't even need professional printing machines, as your own inkjet printer can do the job. Fabric iron-ons can be made within minutes, allowing you to create an original gift or personalize dull, monochromatic shirts.

Things You'll Need

• Iron-on transfer paper
• Image editing software
• Image
• Printer
• Scissors
• Iron

Instructions

1. Fill your printer with iron-on transfer paper. You can find this type of paper at stationary stores or online. Ensure that the package says "iron-on" so that you don't purchase water-slide decal paper.

2. Use image editing software -- Adobe Acrobat or Microsoft Paint are two options -- to make any adjustments to your image of choice. You can create an image of your own from scratch, upload a photograph or download a ready-made picture from the Internet.

3. Go to the "Page Layout" tab of the printer settings and click on "Mirror Image." Since your picture will be reversed during ironing, mirroring the image ensures that you will get what you see on the screen. Be sure to check if the "Paper Type" found in the printer settings has an "Iron-on transfer" option.

4. Print the image on the transfer paper and allow the ink to dry for half an hour. Cut the image out of the page by cutting along its contours.

5. Pre-iron the clothing item you want to transfer the image onto. Make sure that the fabric is completely smooth and dry before you apply the iron-on.

6. Place the paper face down on the shirt and iron it for one to three minutes. Allow the image to cool for about three minutes and carefully peel off the paper to complete the transfer.

Tips & Warnings

• After the ironing, you should be able to peel off the paper smoothly. If you can't, iron that particular spot again for 20 seconds and try again.

References

• SoftExpressions.com: Frequently Asked Questions about Photo Transfer Paper / Sheets
• VintageImageCraft.com: Transfer Images to Fabric
• Microsoft Office: Add Designs to your Clothes with Clip Art

Resources

• Hewlett-Packard: Print your own Iron-on Transfers