How to Heat Transfer a Picture

Transfer images to fabric with heat transfer paper and an iron.

Heat transfer is a way to print pictures on fabric or clothing. This process is much easier to complete than more traditional ways of printing an image on to fabric, such as silk-screen printing. You can heat transfer a picture to fabric by using a standard ink-jet printer and a hand iron. However, keep in mind that this process can only be used for cotton-based fabrics. Also, the heat transfer image on cotton fabric may not hold up after repeated washing.

Things You'll Need

• Heat transfer paper
• Image editing software
• Ink-jet printer
• Scissors
• Iron
• Pillowcase
• Soft cloth

Instructions

Printing the Image

1. Open the image you want to heat transfer on to fabric in an image editing program, such as Adobe Photoshop, GIMP or Google Picasa.

2. Use the "Flip," "Mirror" or "Reverse" setting in the image editing program to make a version of the image that appears backward.

3. Print the reversed image onto a standard sheet of paper with your ink-jet printer. Check to see that the image you want to heat transfer is the right size for the fabric.

4. Insert a sheet of heat transfer paper into your ink-jet printer, making sure that you are printing on the blank side and not the side that has guidelines for cutting.

5. Go to the "Print" dialogue for your image editing program. Set the print quality to the highest resolution possible and select the print settings for either "T-shirt Transfers" or "High Quality Glossy Paper," depending on the model of ink-jet printer.

6. Print the image on the heat transfer paper. Remove it from the printer when it is finished and allow the ink to dry. Do not touch the paper while it is drying.

Heat Transfer to Fabric

1. Using scissors, trim off the unprinted areas of the heat transfer paper around the picture you want to transfer.

2. Preheat the iron on the highest temperature for about eight minutes. Do not use the steam setting on the iron.

3. Place a pillowcase on a flat, heat-resistant surface. Do not use an ironing board.

4. Place the fabric you want to transfer the image to on top of the pillowcase.

5. Smooth out both the fabric and the pillowcase with the iron. Let the fabric cool.

6. Place the heat transfer image face down where you want to apply it to the fabric.

7. Press the iron straight down firmly over the heat transfer paper for about 15 to 20 seconds. Cover the entire paper, especially the edges. Lift the iron straight up and press straight down when repositioning.

8. Press the iron lightly on top of the heat transfer image and move it around in a circular motion for about 15 to 20 seconds.

9. Gently rub the heat transfer image with a soft cloth for 5 to 10 seconds.

Tips & Warnings

• Most heat transfer paper is only designed to work on light fabrics. However, if you are trying to print on a black or other dark fabric, purchase heat transfer paper that is designed for dark fabrics.

• If you are heat transferring a picture onto a T-shirt, place a sheet of paper between the front and back of the shirt before ironing. This will prevent the image from bleeding onto the back of the shirt.

• Do not print images on transfer paper using a laser printer or ink-jet printer with a built-in drying system. These printers apply heat to the paper that will melt the transfer paper, which will ruin the paper and can cause damage to the printer.

References

• McGonigal Paper and Graphics: How to Make Iron-On Transfers for White Fabrics
• Hewlett-Packard: Print Your Own Iron-on Transfers

Resources

• Adobe: Adobe Photoshop Family
• GIMP: Official Site
• Google Picasa: Official Site