 Transfers are a quick and easy way of customising your clothes and accessories. Choose the motifs, photos or drawings you want to transfer - all you need is a printer and a bit of inspiration! Here's how.
Professional tips
- For the best result, don’t leave too much white around the motif and cut out the white parts inside the image.
- To prevent air bubbles, put the transfer sheets in the fridge before using them and always apply them from the centre outwards.
- Never use the steam function of your iron - the transfers won't stick!
- Do a test on a piece of the same kind of fabric to check that you’ve got the transfer the right way around in the printer and on the piece of clothing, to avoid making irreversible mistakes!
- To care for your clothing after the transfer, wash it in your machine inside out and iron it inside out using the protective paper supplied with your transfer paper.
Temporary and permanent transfers
- Temporary transfers
A temporary transfer is ideal if you want to reuse old clothes, bags and caps. You can do this sort of transfer with soft textiles, as they stick to your clothing and come off without leaving a mark. The transfer stays on due to static - all you need to do is print the image, take off the top sheet and stick it on.
- Permanent transfers
Get the right paper for your printer (laser or inkjet):
Transfer paper for laser printers doesn’t melt in the printer and can be applied with a normal iron. Some paper only works with a laser photocopier because the photocopier doesn't get as hot.
Transfer paper for inkjet printers are the most common type. These have a transparent base and are ideal for white T-shirts. Print the image upside down and then apply using an iron. You need to then wash it in a machine at 30°C or 40°C max (don’t tumble-dry). New transfers have temperature indicators that change colour to let you know when the temperature is right. For dark fabric, you need special transfer paper with a white base that allows you to see all the details of the design. These can be applied on all types of clothes and even on leather.
Good materials
For transfers with a standard transparent base, use light fabric that's at least 50% cotton so that you can use a hot iron.
What you need:
1. A PC
2. A laser or inkjet printer
3. Several sheets of transfer paper (found in stationary shops, or art/specialist shops)
4. A pair of scissors
5. A cutter
6. An iron
7. Pieces of fabric to test
Printing the motif
- Choose the picture, image or drawing you want to transfer.
- On your PC, in the ‘transformation of image’ menu in your printer software, use the option ‘rotate’ so that the result looks like the original, especially if it contains text.
- Adjust the printer settings in the preview window before printing.
- Print once on a normal sheet of paper before cutting it out and placing it on your clothing to preview the result.
- Place the transfer paper in your printer, following the manufacturer's instructions.
- Cut the motif, leaving a 3mm border.
Applying the transfer
- Iron the piece of clothing to make sure you don't get creases underneath your transfer.
- Place the printed sheet on the item, the motif against the fabric.
- Press the iron on the paper in the middle of the motif for 10 seconds, then to the outside of the motif for 4 or 5 seconds.
- Repeat once, moving your iron by lifting it (and never sliding it).
- Let it cool for several minutes
- Take off the paper carefully and evenly.
- Wear with pride!
| 
Customising your clothes with transfers
Email
this page to a friend
