How to Make a Cool Design on a T-Shirt

Design Your Own T-Shirts

Designing t-shirts used to require a large amount of equipment and supplies, but thanks to modern technology, everyone can be a fashion designer. Create and wear your own cool t-shirt designs in less time than it takes to buy a shirt off the rack at the store. After you make a few of your own, consider designing t-shirts to give as gifts to those who complimented yours.

Things You'll Need

• Design software
• Iron on paper
• Printer
• Scissors
• T-shirt
• Iron

Instructions

1. Open any design software you have installed on your computer, such as Microsoft Paint, Adobe Photo Deluxe or Print Shop.

2. Create a new image and set the document measurements to 10 by 10 inches to create a large t-shirt design. Feel free to change this size to make the design smaller.

3. Use the shape tools available to create a cool design on the document. Consider using the available clip art in the software, to create designs that are more intricate.

4. Add phrases, quotes and other wording to the t-shirt design using your software's text tool. This step is optional; however, you might want to "sign" your design by adding your name in an inconspicuous spot on the design.

5. Place a sheet of iron-on-paper into the printer. Make sure the paper you are using is compatible with your printer type before printing.

6. Open the print menu in your software by clicking the printer icon, click the "Properties" tab. Select "Mirror Image" from the page set up options, and select "OK" to print the image on to the iron on paper.

7. Turn the iron on to high and allow it to preheat. Use scissors to cut the unprinted paper away from the design. Cut as close as possible to the design to prevent a clear border on the t-shirt.

8. Lay the printed image face down over the t-shirt in the exact location you want the design. Iron the back of the design for two to three minutes or until it is stuck to the t-shirt. Allow the paper backing to cool for about five minutes. Peel the backing away from the design to reveal your cool design on the t-shirt.

References

• HP: Create Custom T-Shirt Iron-Ons for Free