- To prepare for your first iron-on transfer project, head to a fabric store and pick out a graphic that you want to use. You can choose lettering, a design you like, a favorite character or even a funny catch phrase. You'll also need to choose some piece of apparel or another item to iron your transfer onto. A T-shirt is an obvious choice, and you can often find cheap ones at fabric stores. However, you may also want to make a quilt square or a tote bag with your iron-on transfer, so choose your material accordingly. Cotton is the best material to use an iron-transfer with, as it is less likely to stretch and cause the transfer to crack. Wash the item before you begin your transfer, so it is preshrunk when you begin.
- Work on a flat surface when using your iron-on transfer. Lay the item you are using--your T-shirt, tote bag or whatever--flat on the surface. Heat your iron to the cotton setting, and you may even want to lightly iron your item to rid it of any wrinkles. When you peel the transfer paper off the graphic to lay it on the item, do it slowly and don't rush. You don't want creases on the graphic. When you iron it, iron in an up-and-down motion, rather than side-to-side, and do so slowly, to prevent any smearing that may occur from a shift in the transfer.
- After you've made your iron-on transfer item, you'll need to care for it so you get the best results from your transfer and it doesn't crack, peel off or become otherwise ruined. You can do this by always washing your item on the gentle cycle, using cool water to set the colors, with the item turned inside out, and always hanging it to dry. The heat from a dryer can cause the transfer to crack, so it is better to avoid it altogether. Being vigilant about the care of your item means that your iron-on transfer will last as long as possible.
