How to Prepare T-Shirts for Painting

Whether it’s the names of your children or a copy of a masterpiece, hand painting a t-shirt is a fun and creative way to make something unique to wear. Before you grab your paints, however, you have to prepare the t-shirt first.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Laundry detergent
• Iron
• Cardboard t-shirt form
• Utility knife (if needed to make t-shirt form)
• Pencil (if needed to make t-shirt form)
• Waxed paper

1. Wash the t-shirt. Whether it is brand new or just out of your dresser drawer, you need to wash it. Do not use fabric softener on the t-shirt, either use liquid softener in the wash or a dryer sheet.

2. Dry the t-shirt thoroughly either by hanging to dry or tossing it in the dryer. Painting on a damp t-shirt will prevent the paint from adhering properly.

3. Iron the t-shirt. Use the proper setting on the iron, but do not use steam and do not use spray starch. Both will prevent the paint from adhering properly.

4. Insert the cardboard t-shirt form. If you do not have one, you can make one using cardboard from a clean box. Lay the t-shirt flat on the cardboard and trace the outline. Use the utility knife to cut the form.

5. Slip sheets of waxed paper inside the t-shirt and on top of the t-shirt form. This will keep the paint from soaking through the t-shirt and into the cardboard. Not only will this prolong the life of the t-shirt form, it will prevent the possibility of the t-shirt sticking to the cardboard.