How to Make a Personalized Tshirt Using Photoshop

Modern technology has made it easier than ever for us to do just about everything from our PCs. Whether you want to order an emu for your farm or download images from Iraq, your computer and internet connection make it all possible. Couple your internet access with your own creativity and Adobe Photoshop, and you have the makings of creative and unique giftmaking opportunities. Want to create a personalized T-shirt for yourself or a friend? Photoshop is your first step to making a one-of-a-kind item for your pal. Gather your materials, photos and imagination and let's get going.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer with internet access
• Imagination
• Adobe Photoshop
• T-shirt transfer paper (available at any office supply store or superstore)
• Iron
• Cotton t-shirt (washed, dried and ironed)
• An ironing board or ironing surface

Preparing Your Image

1. 

   First, come up with an idea for a T-shirt. The most unique and fun personalized images are those that you create using your own photographs plus some fun image from the internet. I like to take the "head" of a friend and put it on the body of something else, or better yet, deposit it in a famous work of art like the Mona Lisa! For that type of image, gather some good head shots (digital images) of your friend and download an image of the famous Mona Lisa. I found mine at the Wikipedia site. The image's copyright has expired, so no problem! To grab the image, go to the Wikipedia link below and click on the Mona Lisa image.Right-click, select "Save Image as" and click. Remember where you locate the image, so you can open it up in Adobe Photoshop.

2. Open Adobe Photoshop. Open your Mona Lisa file and a file with a good head shot you want to use for your personalized T-shirt.

3. Using the "magnetic lasso" tool, outline the facethat is to be put over Mona Lisa's face. Then click on the "selector" tool (the arrow) and drag the image onto the Mona Lisa image.

4. 

   Next, go to "Edit" and "Transform" to resize and angle your facial image over the Mona Lisa image. Hit the selector arrow to apply the image and move around to perfect.

5. 
   More blended image

   Next, go to "Image" and "Adjust," then "Color Balance" to match the tone of your image and the Mona Lisa.

Printing your Image

6. Now that you have the image for your personalized T-shirt complete, you need to print it onto your transfer material. Go to "File" and "Print" in your Adobe Photoshop program.

7. Go to "Set up" or "Properties" for your printer and look for the "Mirror Image" option. It will be found in different areas or tabs depending on your printer software, but usually in the "Advanced Setup" options. t is vital that you print in Mirror Image.

8. Print out a test sheet before you use your iron-on transfer paper, to check for size and image resolution.

9. Once you have a great image, print it, in mirror image, on your iron-on transfer paper. Read the directions for your transfer paper, as different manufacturers have different procedures for printing. Always change the paper setting to "Iron On" or "Transfer Paper" and use "Best Quality Printing."

Making Your T-Shirt

10. Wash and dry your clean cotton T-shirt.

11. Place the T-shirt on your ironing surface and place a towel in between the front and back of the T-shirt. Iron out wrinkles.

12. Center the image on the shirt, about 1-1/2" down from the collar.

13. Iron on as directed on the transfer paper information. Be sure to press down firmly, and pay extra attention to edges.

14. 

    Once cooled, peel off the paper carefully to reveal your cool new personalized shirt!

Tips & Warnings

• Print on white T-shirts for clearer images.
• Add words (if you like) by printing out text on a separate iron-on, so you can place them independently.
• Use the image to make other personalized gifts, like matching magnets, posters or greeting cards!