How To Do Iron on T Shirts and Make Designs on the Computer

Applying an iron-on transfer to a t-shirt is a great way to personalize it with your own unique style.

Step 1  

Create your design transfer in any picture editing program or open a picture you wish to have on your shirt.

Step 2  

Flip the image horizontally. You want the picture to appear backwards because when you transfer it to the shirt it will be on correctly.

Step 3  

Print the picture onto transfer paper.

Step 4  

Wash the shirt you plan on applying the transfer to, using the directions on the shirt tag.

Step 5  

Pre-heat a clothing iron.

Step 6  

Find a large clean hard surface that you can place the shirt over.

Step 7  

Place the transfer onto the shirt in the location you want the design.

Step 8  

Place a soft kitchen towel or terry cloth towel folded in half on top of the transfer.

Step 9  

Place the hot iron onto the towel and work in a circular motion from the middle of the transfer to the edges. How long you do this for is dependent on the instructions included with the transfer paper.

Step 10  

Remove towel from top of "Transfer" and allow to cool completely.

Step 11  

Peel off backing paper slowly at a sharp angle.

Tips

• It helps if the towel you use is thin, but if too thin (able to see through) you will want to fold it over. This acts as a heat absorber so you don't burn pattern.
• If you have a figure instead of a square/rectangular pattern, cut around the figure and leave about 1/4" around the edges. 
• Turn your shirt inside out when washing it. This will prevent your design from fading and being "washed away."
• Dry your shirt on low heat to prevent it from cracking or shrinking.
• Be careful to not burn the paper on the transfer. This will scorch your design. It will make the finished design have dark burn spots on it.
• Make sure you use a hard, clean surface when ironing; this will prevent wrinkles in the design and give an easier time ironing.
• Make sure you reverse the transfer on the computer before ironing it on.

Warnings

• Clothes irons get VERY HOT, as does the steam coming out of them.
• If children are doing or helping with this project, parental supervision is a must at all times.

Things You'll Need

• Transfer Paper.
• Scissors to cut around design if needed.
• Clothes iron with heat settings and optional steam feature.
• Ironing board or hard clean surface you can place inside the shirt.
• Graphics Program with ability to Horizontally Flip image, or a lot of Transfer Paper packages come with free software to make transfers.
• Clean, new shirt (preferable) of preferred color. Recommended is having a color that makes the design stand out or something that blends with the outer edges.