How to Make a Drawing Into an Iron-on for Transferring Embroidery

This project requires an ink jet printer.

This article shows you how to transfer virtually any drawing in black and white or color to fabric or a shirt to be hand embroidered. You can create your own drawing or source an existing drawing and print it on the fabric. It will not rub off during the embroidery process. This technique is perfect for hand embroidery projects. In the case of ordering commercially embroidered goods, this technique can be used to provide a sample to the commercial embroidery firm, showing design placement.

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Pencil
• Eraser
• Drawing pen
• Drawing
• Computer
• Scanner
• Photoshop, optional
• Ink jet printer
• Ink jet transfer paper
• Iron
• Fabric or T shirt

Instructions

1. Create a drawing for the embroidery project. Execute the drawing in black and white. Begin with pencil on white paper. Once your pencil drawing is finished, go over the lines in black ink. When the ink is dry, erase any remaining pencil lines.. Add color to your drawing if you prefer to have a color guide printed on the fabric to be embroidered. You can also use an existing drawing for this project.

2. Scan the drawing into a computer. For line art drawings, set the scanner to black and white at 300 pixels per inch. The color setting can be used for color art, also at 300 pixels per inch. Open the scanned file on the computer to check the scan. The scan may be sized larger or smaller if necessary for your project. Typography may be added if desired. Print the drawing on regular ink jet paper to proof it. Make any changes desired.

3. Flip the drawing horizontally. This can be done in word processing programs or in Photoshop image editing software. In Photoshop, select rotate canvas from the image pull down menu. Click on flip canvas horizontal. Load the ink jet printer with transfer paper. Print the drawing on to ink jet transfer paper.

4. Place the ink jet transfer face down on the fabric or shirt to be embroidered. Take care to position the drawing where you want to embroider the fabric. Set the iron on high heat, cotton. Iron the back of the transfer paper with firm pressure for 4 minutes, moving the iron over the paper in a circular motion. Place your iron aside and turn it off. Carefully remove the ink jet transfer paper to reveal the drawing imprinted on your fabric or shirt. It is now ready to be hand embroidered.

Tips & Warnings

• When you make a proof print of your drawing, trim the drawing from the paper and place it over the fabric to be embroidered to check if it is the right size.

• When using an existing drawing, avoid reproducing copyrighted material.

References

• T Shirt Supplies: Heat transfer paper
• Avery: T-Shirt transfers
• Imprints wholesale: Imprintable sportswear