How To Make Graphic Tees
Graphic tees can be bought anywhere these days, but they are often expensive and poorly made. Instead of buying mass produced t-shirts, make graphic tees at home that show off your own unique personality. They are easy to make and can be a lot of fun when you make your own designs with your favorite colors, phrases and unique graphics.
Things You'll Need
- Graphic design software
- Printer
- Paper
- 10-inch embroidery hoop
- Pantyhose
- Tape
- Pencil
- Mod Podge
- Foam paintbrush
- T-shirts
- 12-inch piece of cardboard
- Weight
- Fabric Ink
- Paint trowel or small piece of cardboard
- Iron
- Paper bag
Instructions
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1
Design your graphic using any graphic design software. Adobe Photoshop and Corel Draw are both good choices, but any design software will work. Add a phrase to the graphic using text in your favorite colors and fonts. Print your graphic design onto plain paper.
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2
Stretch the pantyhose over the inner part of the embroidery hoop and then place the outer hoop over the fabric and close it tightly. Lay your printed graphic flat on a table or other hard surface with the image facing up and place the embroidery hoop over it with the pantyhose flush against the paper. Tape the edges of the paper to the embroidery hoop so it does not move around.
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3
Use a pencil to trace the outline of the graphic and your phrase onto the pantyhose. Make sure the line is dark enough to see well. Flip the embroidery hoop over so the pantyhose is facing up and then use a small foam paintbrush to paint the inside of the graphic and phrase with Mod Podge. Allow the Mod Podge to dry completely before moving on to the next step.
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4
Lay a t-shirt out flat on a table or other hard surface and place a piece of cardboard between the layers of the t-shirt so the graphic does not bleed through. Place the embroidery hoop over the t-shirt where you want the graphic and phrase to be with the pantyhose facing down, flush against the fabric. Set a small weight onto the edge of the hoop so that it does not move.
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5
Place enough fabric ink to cover the graphic onto the center of the hoop and scrape it around using a piece of cardboard or a paint trowel. Make sure the graphic and phrase is covered completely with fabric ink.
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6
Slowly peel the screen away from the t-shirt once the graphic has been completely covered in ink. Allow the t-shirt to dry as directed by the fabric paint manufacturer. Preheat the iron to medium high heat. Place a paper bag over the graphic and iron for two or three minutes to set the ink.
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