How to Use Iron-On Transfer Paper

Use your iron to help make personalized T-shirts.

Using iron-on transfer paper is a fun way to make the perfect T-shirt. You can create your own designs to match your wardrobe, or make T-shirts for events or to give to friends. You can also use iron-on transfers to give a personal touch to many other items and gifts.

Things You'll Need

• Iron
• Iron-on transfer paper
• White T-shirt or other item you are wishing to transfer on to
• Ironing board or thick towel and a flat surface
• Color inkjet printer

Instructions

1. Decide what picture or saying you want to put on your T-shirt or item. Tons of free clip art is on the web to choose from. You can download your image on to any computer application you would use to write a letter. You can add text to it as well.

2. Flip your design before printing. You need to use "edit" to reverse or mirror image your design. It needs to read backward in order to transfer correctly on to your T-shirt or item.

3. Put your iron-on transfer paper into your color inkjet printer after you have made sure that your design is ready for printing. Make sure your paper is in the printer correctly. Whatever iron-on transfer paper you use, the backside of the paper should be marked. The backside is the side you will use the iron on -- the opposite side is where you should print your design.

4. Pre-heat your iron to the highest setting. On your ironing board -- use a thick towel on the floor or other hard surface if you don’t have an ironing board -- iron the garment to remove any moisture and smooth out any wrinkles.

5. Position the transfer paper on your T-shirt or item with the design side down. Your design should be touching your T-shirt or item. Press your iron firmly over the transfer. Start moving it in a circular motion for 15- to 20-second intervals all over the transfer paper until you know you have done this to the entire sheet.

6. Remove the backing paper immediately after ironing for a satin finish, while the transfer is still hot. Be very careful not to burn yourself. For a glossy finish, wait until the transfer has cooled completely, then remove the backing paper.

Tips & Warnings

• Trim away any unprinted area around your design if you so choose.

• Always store your unused iron-on transfer paper in original packaging in a cool, dry place.

• Transfers have a stiff feel to them when new, this will become softer as you continue to wash your garment.

• When you do wash your garment, turn it inside out to protect the design.

• Machine wash with cold or warm water, use color-safe detergent, and tumble dry on low or air dry.

• Allow time for your ink to dry on your design.

• Make sure your iron does not automatically shut off during ironing.

• Do not use bleach or softener while washing.

• Do not iron directly on the transfer if you need to iron your garment. Cover with a silicone slip sheet or baking parchment and allow it to cool before removing.

References

• McGonigal Paper & Graphics: Iron on Transfer Paper Instructions for White and Light Fabrics Iron On Transfer Paper