How to Make Your Own T-Shirts With Labels

Creating a custom T-shirt with your label allows you to spread your message to a broad audience with fashion and flair.

Creating your own T-shirt with a customized label opens a multitude of opportunities for sharing your message with public. Multiple methods exist for creating your customized T-shirt, using a digital representation of your label. Customized t-shirts provide the creative means for sharing a company logo or marketing message, promoting a special event or simply sharing a photo of your family or favorite artwork. Once you digitize your label, you can create your wearable art.

Things You'll Need

• Label, graphic or image
• Access to a flatbed scanner for label or graphic software
• Print-on-demand service for T-shirt or printable iron-on transfer paper
• T-shirt

Instructions

Digitize Your Label

1. Digitize your label, using a flatbed scanner, digital camera or recreate the label in a graphic software program. More complicated programs may require the help of a graphic designer.

2. Create your label for the desired output size for your T-shirt, such as 4 by 6 inches and convert the image to a printable resolution. An image between 150 and 300 DPI, or dots per inch, is a standard size for printing a graphic and will prevent a distorted image from a smaller file size. This setting is adjustable under your scanner settings when creating the digital image or in your desktop publishing software program under image size settings.

3. Save your master graphic file, which will serve as the reference file for your T-shirt artwork. Create a duplicate file to work with by simply copying and pasting the file into another folder. Finalize your desired graphics, shapes, images, logos and text. Save your work as a JPG, GIF or PND file.

Create your T-shirt Using a Print on Demand Service

1. Choose a print-on-demand service online, such as CafePress or VistaPrint, and download the templates or instructions regarding the preparation of your graphic to print. A multitude of sites exist providing this service and each site follows a different procedure for file preparation and uploading. Choose your site based on user reviews, pricing and quality. CafePress also provides an excellent blog and resource for ideas in T-shirt graphic designs.

2. Upload your properly prepared graphic to the print-on-demand service. Confirm the graphic uploaded properly using the site's preview option. This step may also be completed during the final stages of creating your T-shirt.

3. Choose the T-shirt size, color and type for your apparel.

4. Follow the site's directions to completion, confirm the design placement and preview the finished product.

The Do-it-Yourself Method of T-Shirt Creation

1. Finalize your print design and optimize the graphic for printing by confirming the resolution of the image at between 150 and 300 DPI.

2. Choose an iron-on transfer printing material from your local craft store. Be sure to read the label carefully as each product differs regarding printing inks, compatible printers, application techniques and appropriate apparel material.

3. Load your home printer with the transfer paper and follow the instructions provided with the product packaging. Create a test image and apply this to a scrap piece of cloth or extra T-shirt before making your final shirt.

4. Apply the graphic image to the T-shirt using an iron or other heating transfer device. Carefully peel the transfer material off the T-shirt once the graphic has set and your T-shirt is ready to wear. Be sure to follow the directions closely as each transfer product is created differently.

References

• CafePress Blog

Resources

• CafePress
• VistaPrint