Step 1: Obtaining A Suitable Paper – Transfer paper is available for dark fabrics and for light fabrics. Light fabrics are considered white and creamy colours, dark are really all the rest. Your first task is to match the right paper with the fabric on which you plan to transfer. The reverse uncoated side of the paper will clearly be marked.
Step 2: Sorting A Printer – It is a common misconception that the paper requires a special printer or special inks. So to eliminate any doubt you might have, it actually works with normal inks using a normal home / office Inkjet printer.
Step 3: Deciding On An Application – There are numerous applications on which you can apply the paper so your creativity can be let on the loose. These include t-shirts, sweat shirts, mouse mats, pillowcases, aprons, dinner napkins, flags, table cloths, hats and so on. Suitable fabrics include Cotton, Viscose, Polyester, and Silk.
Step 4: Prepare The Design – Your artwork can include an image, a block of text and of course the two combined together. Preparing the design is really where your creativity can shine, as the sort of artwork possible to transfer does not limit you and unlike buying a ready-made of the shelf transfer, you are not limited by choice. The design can be made using software like Microsoft Word, which most people will already have installed.
Top Design Tip - Prior to printing, be sure to reverse the text or mirror image on the printer driver / printer settings options. This is a common mistake that makes the print look unreadable from the front. If you are preparing the design in Microsoft Word, it has a built in feature to reverse the text just for such cases.
Step 5: Printing The Design – Insert the paper the right way and print ONE sheet at a time to ensure the results are satisfactory.
Top Printing Tip – You may consider printing the design first on normal uncoated printer paper to ensure that the text mirror has been done successfully and that you are happy with the design. If you are new to transfer paper, we recommend this intermediate step.
Step 6: Apply The Printed Design - The transfer process relies on sufficient heat and pressure to be applied so that the image separates from the paper and moves onto the substrate. A domestic iron of 1200w+ is highly recommended. When ironing it is strongly recommended to avoid using an ironing board as it is not strong enough for the job. Worktops lined with another t-shirt will work great.
Step 7: Peel Away The Paper – While the transfer paper is still hot from the ironing, peel it off to leave the design on the fabric. In the unlikely event that some of the design had failed to transfer, simply heat the transfer paper again.
Top Tip – To improve the durability of the paper, you can iron the printed transfer with a silicon sheet or normal computer paper.
All done. Once you get into the swing of things, you will be able to create a transfer in just a few minutes. Let us know how it went!
For more information & where to purchase the transfer paper go to www.photopaperdirect.com
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