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Final Photo Transfer of a Brightly Colored Horse Head
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5 from 17 votes

Fabric Image Transfer

An easy way to transfer images onto fabric using a home printer and transfer paper.
Active Time15 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Author: Rachel
Cost: $10

Equipment

  • Iron
  • Inkjet Printer

Materials

Instructions

  • Reverse your image and print your image to size onto heat transfer paper.
    A horse head print transfer on transfer paper in reverse.
  • Check the fabric to make sure it is free of lint and dirt or hair. Iron the fabric to make sure it is smooth.
    An iron on fabric making it smooth.
  • Cut around the image and remove excess paper. The transfer paper is clear, so you don't have to get right up to the edge for an intricate pattern. The dark transfer paper does require more detail since it is often opaque.
    A horsehead photo cut out of transfer paper.
  • Place the image face down in position on the fabric.
    Cut out image laying face down on t-shirt.
  • Iron with NO STEAM for the best bond. Empty the reservoir tank. Thinner fabrics, like cotton - Iron 60 seconds for smaller images and 2 minutes for images larger than 8x8. Sturdy Fabrics, like Canvas - 60 seconds for smaller images and 2 minutes for images larger than 8x8.
    Hands pressing on iron to transfer an image using photo transfer paper.
  • Peel off the backing paper as soon as it is cool enough to touch. You want the transfer to be HOT while peeling for best results. Also, move in a smooth and even motion or you may get lines in your transfer.
    A woman peeling back transfer paper from a t-shirt.

Notes

Care instructions:
If you are using a pigment based ink (check your printer guide), then it should be washable. However, test first. If using a dye based ink, I would consider hand washing at least the first few times or testing a small area (or scrap) to be sure. Dye based inks do have a tendency to fade or release in the wash.
Turn the fabric inside out and wash in the delicate cycle. Never iron the transfer as the image will stick to the iron.