Making t-shirts is a fun and easy way to express yourself.Witty quotes, obscure bands, and political statements are all fair game when you design your own shirts.If you can mass produce Handmade T-shirts, you may be able to make some extra money.
Step 1: Get t-shirts.
Target and Walmart are great places to get good-quality t-shirts in bulk.Cotton is the easiest fabric to work with.
Step 2: Before you start, wash and dry your shirts.
When cotton shirts shrink in the wash, you should pre-wash your shirts to make sure you get the design you want.
Step 3: Between the layers of the shirt, put a sheet of cardboard.
This will stop the ink, paint, or dye from bleeding into the back of the shirt.
Step 4: Transfer images from your computer to a shirt using iron-on paper.
Transfer sheets are available for both white and dark colored t-shirts, and you can buy specialty paper at your local art store to make iron-ons.You can iron the image onto your shirt by printing it on the special paper.To mark where you want the image to fall, try on your shirt.Pin your tee to an ironing board or a sturdy surface so that the image goes where you want it.
Step 5: For accents and decoration, use fabric markers, dyes and glitter.
Sharpies are fine if you want to draw or write on your shirt.You can buy fabric paint, fabric markers, and t-shirt dyes at craft stores.The first time you use sharpie, wash the shirt separately to prevent ink stains on your other clothes.
Step 6: The t-shirt needs to be dry.
Don't wear the shirt immediately, no matter what you do to decorate it.Don't shake the glitter off the shirt until it's dry.It is possible to speed up the process by leaving a shirt in the sun.Use glitters that are specifically made for fabric.
Step 7: Try other design techniques.
There are many ways to make your t-shirt unique.Tie-Dye Distressing Inking is a new way to design your shirt.
Step 8: For a professional look, design your t-shirt online.
You can get a custom t-shirt made from an image or picture file on many websites.You can perform an internet search for "Custom T-Shirt printing" and check prices and options, including the ability to design your own shirt through the website.Each shirt will be cheaper if you order more than one.You will usually have to pay for each color of ink.You can add colors, words, or simple designs to your shirt on most of the sites.
Step 9: stencils can be used to create more accurate drawings.
You can apply spray paint, ink, or marker with the cut outs of a stencil.You can't make mistakes with complex shapes if you use the stencil.You will need a poster board or thin cardboard.A pencil X-acto knife can be sprayed with spray paint.
Step 10: You can draw your design on the board.
The parts that you want to color will be removed from the board.It is possible to lightly color in the stencil.The design you paint on the shirt will be the part you color in.Think of a stencil like carving a pumpkin, all the parts you cut away make up the "shape" of the pumpkin.
Step 11: Take out your design.
X-acto blades allow you to cut out detailed shapes.Make sure you leave at least 4-5 inches of stencil on every side of your design if you cut away all of the parts you don't want covered in ink.If shapes are surrounded, leave them attached.I want to cut out an A.I need to keep a think line of poster board attached to the triangle so that I don't cut it out.
Step 12: There is a sheet of cardboard between the layers of the shirt.
This will stop the ink, paint, or dye from bleeding into the back of the shirt.
Step 13: Attach your stencil to the shirt.
Make sure the tape doesn't cover anything you want to colored in.
Step 14: It's a good idea to spray paint your shirt.
The stencil will prevent the paint from getting on the shirt you don't want colored in.The canister has instructions on how to spray your shirt.For a more vintage look, spray from a distance.
Step 15: Take your shirt for a few hours to dry.
The paint could ruin the design if the shirt is disturbed.
Step 16: The stencil should be removed when the shirt is dry.
If you want, you can use this stencil again for another shirt.
Step 17: To prevent paint from bleeding into your other clothes, wash the shirt separately.
Excess spray paint will leak off the first few times you wash the shirt.To prevent the shirt from ruining your other clothes, wash it alone.
Step 18: Silk screens are the best way to make shirts.
Silk screening uses a pre-made design to apply ink to a shirt.You can put another shirt under the screen and apply the same design to it.
Step 19: Get some supplies.
To silk-screen shirts you will need some supplies, most of which should be available at your local art store or online.A design A t-shirt, any fabric.
Step 20: You can create a stencil of your design.
Silk screens only apply one color at a time, so make a simple shape or outline to begin learning.Your shirt will eventually be colored based on your design.Cut out your design from a piece of poster board.The stencil is like the ink on the shirt.Whatever part of the shirt the stencil covers will be inked over eventually, place your finished stencil on it.The one discussed earlier is the opposite type of stencil.This is where what you cut away makes your design.
Step 21: The silk screen needs to be coated with photo emulsion.
A special substance reacts to light.It becomes hardened when it does.This will be used to make a shape in the emulsion for our design.To spread a thin line along the entire screen, pour a line of emulsion along a side of the screen and use a squeegee.There is a side that is not surrounded by the frame.It is possible to do this in a dark room.
Step 22: It's a good idea to dry the emulsion in a dark place.
If you can close the blinds or curtains, a closet or bathroom will work.
Step 23: The exposure area needs to be set up.
The screen will be exposed to light here.Set up a light above your black surface following the instructions on the bottle.It's important to read the bottle for the different times and distances needed for exposure.If the emulsion calls for 30 minutes at 200 watt, set up a lamp with a 200W bulb 1-2 feet above a table.The screen will be underneath the light.
Step 24: The exposure area is where you should put your dry screen.
As you transfer it to your exposure area, cover it with a towel so it doesn't react to light.
Step 25: Place your stencil in the middle of the screen.
The screen should be raised a few inches above the table so that it is resting on the frame.The stencil should be in the middle of the screen.To get the right image, put your stencil down in reverse.Before you put it down, look at your stencil and flip it over.If there is a breeze, place a piece of glass on top of the stencil to keep it from moving.Do not move your screen, light, or stencil.
Step 26: The light should be turned on.
You can check the bottle again to see how long you need the light for.If you smell something burning, turn off the light.Remove the stencil when it is done.You should see the faint outline of your stencil in the emulsion if you prepared it correctly.
Step 27: Cold water can be used to wash off the emulsion.
If you want to focus the water on your image, take any high-powered water source and wash it off.The outline of your stencil should appear.You should keep spraying until you see your image.Don't forget to dry the screen before moving on.
Step 28: The cardboard or poster board should be between the layers of the shirt.
The ink won't get to the other side of the shirt.
Step 29: Line up your screen.
Place the screen on your t-shirt with the frame side up, centering your design where you want it on the shirt.
Step 30: Take the ink over your design.
There is a thin line of ink above your design.If you drag the squeegee over your design, the ink will cover the entire stencil.A darker image will result from higher pressure.
Step 31: Slowly remove the silk screen.
Pull the screen off the shirt and hang it up to dry.The only colored part should be the stencil.
Step 32: You can repeat as many times as you want.
If you want, you can use your silk screen with another t-shirt.