long-life Ink-jet T-Shirt transfers?

June 12, 2005 5:55 PM

I've just bought a cheapy pack of T-shirt transfer paper for inkjets, to print my own designs onto T-shirts. Anything I can do to increase the chances of them surviving the first wash?

I asked about paper and ink, but was told there was only paper. Since I'll be using standard ink, I don't like its chances even in a cold wash. I've been told there's probably some spray I can use to seal the ink, maybe something comes off the paper to do this. Basically I'm up for anything that's likely to increase the picture's life span. As a bonus, anything that can make the colours look more vivid would be cool too.

posted by krisjohn to clothing, beauty, & fashion (6 comments total)

just guessing here..
but would heavy dose of multiple layer of scotch guard help?

spray ... let it dry.. and repeat...etc.. maybe scotch guard back side of print also...

this should help protecting print from soaking soap..etc...
at least for first wash.

hand washing cold...
posted by curiousleo at 7:20 PM on June 12, 2005

I tried same thing on white t-shirt...
after serveral wash, it did faded a bit but usually by that time the cheap t-shirt also got worn down by wash.

I think how you first apply the print is very important.
HIGH heat and longer application during transfer is must
posted by curiousleo at 7:24 PM on June 12, 2005

My understanding of the ink jet t-shirt transfers is that it puts the ink under a sort of clear stickum layer which is what gets stuck to the t-shirt. So, with that in mind, a few things you can do

- the smaller the image the better. if you have a good small image you can print 6-8 on a sheet of paper and lessen the cracking the transparent layer will do
- hand wash cold, like curiousleo says, air/line dry
- really iron the living hell out of it to make sure it's stuck on. If you have a local guy who has one of those "I'll put letters on a t-shirt" irons, ask him if he'll put your transfer on for a buck or two, much more even heat/transfer.

I've seen these things, in black&white last for a fairly long time, though they'll always look a bit on the beleaguered side after a few serious washings.
posted by jessamyn at 7:32 PM on June 12, 2005

I don't think there's a spray for what you want - if there is, I've never heard of it. The best thing you can do to set and brighten the colors and make them last as long as possible is to give the shirts a wash in vinegar and cold water, before any regular washes. Put a cup of apple cider or white wine vinegar in a regular size load, cold water. Run it through like a regular wash. Make sure that for this and for all subsequent washes, the shirts are inside out. Then to keep from smelling like salad dressing, run the shirts through a regular wash, again and always, cold water. Tumble dry on a low heat setting or hang on a line. Hanging is always a better option than using a dryer...see all those little bits of fuzz in your dryer's lint trap? Those are bits of your clothes.
posted by iconomy at 7:41 PM on June 12, 2005

There's a link on BoingBoing to a site with instructions on how to do your own shirt stencils that looked really great until the guy blew out his bandwidth and now all the pictures are gone.
posted by mecran01 at 7:49 PM on June 12, 2005

the biggest thing is to wash it inside out. the 1st time and everytime.
posted by ShawnString at 8:43 AM on June 13, 2005