Creating t-shirts that are sprayed is difficult.The control of the airbrush is the hardest part.You should be able to use a variety of stenciled and freehand designs on nearly any cotton t-shirt once you can produce consistent, even strokes of paint.
Step 1: You can choose a design.
You can draw your own design, create a design using digital image software, or find a pre-made design.You will need to print the design out before you can use it.The design can be printed on heavy paper.If you draw the design by hand, you should use heavy paper to draw it instead of using your stencil material.The easiest option is to use ready-made stencils, but this option will give you fewer design options.
Step 2: The design should be transferred to pennant felt.
The design should be placed over a patch of felt.To transfer the design onto the felt, trace it around the edges with a pencil.It is one of the best materials to use because of its ability to absorb excess paint.It is possible to use cardstock, photo paper, and freezer paper.You can trace the design with ready-made stencils.To create a temporary stencil, you will need to cut around the lines of the image.You can trace the edges onto the felt.
Step 3: The stencil needs to be cut out.
Carefully cut along the traced lines after placing a cutting mat beneath the felt.To reveal the stencil, remove the scraps of material.A hobby knife or utility knife should work well for most designs.When cut out with a stencil burner, detailed designs look better.
Step 4: Apply a coat of temporary glue.
After flipping the stencil over, lightly coat it with spray adhesive.The stencil should stay on the t-shirt.Make sure you use a temporary or repositionable glue.Do not use permanent glue.Allow the spray glue to dry for a few minutes before moving on to the next step.The stencil should not stick to the shirt after you remove it.
Step 5: The stencil needs to be positioned.
The stencil should be placed on the t-shirt in the desired location.To help the stencil adhere to the t-shirt, press firmly.Check the stencil after a few more minutes to make sure it's in place.The edges of the stencil should be secured with painter's tape.It is possible to protect the exposed portion of the t-shirt from over-spray by keeping the stencil steady.
Step 6: You can choose the airbrush.
A dual action, internal-mix airbrush with a bottom feed is the best for beginners.Pressing the switch will draw air and pull it back to spray paint.The paint is sprayed directly into the center of the air stream.The jars of paint are positioned to the side or bottom of the brush.As you work, the paint will be drawn directly from the jars.
Step 7: An appropriate air source can be used.
You will need an air source that can provide a consistent stream of air.This could be a commercial air compressor or a CO2 tank.Professional grade compressor will produce even better results than the ones marketed for airbrushing purposes.
Step 8: You can choose your paint.
Pre-reduced fabric paint is a good choice for this project.If you want the design to remain after the shirt is washed, you need to set the paint with heat.While you're a beginner, use a limited set of colors.You will need a separate jar for each color of paint.
Step 9: Put the paint in a container.
Attach the jar to the airbrush by filling it with enough paint for your project.Start with the first color you plan to use.If you want to use more than one color, prepare jars of paint in advance and swap them out as needed.Make sure you have enough for the entire project if you plan to mix colors.slight differences in shade can be created by attempting to mix more later.
Step 10: Attach the gun to the air source.
Attach the airbrush using an appropriate hose after turning on the compressor.The more time the machine has to build up the right amount of pressure, the easier it will be to turn the compressor on first.After the pressure builds up, the regulator needs to be adjusted.Attach the compressor air hose to the airbrush.To create an airtight seal, wrap Teflon tape around thecoupling.Pressing down on the switch will introduce air into the airbrush.
Step 11: Put the t-shirt on.
Set the shirt onto an easel by putting a t-shirt board inside of it.The t-shirt board will stretch the material so that it won't crease and ruin your design.Paint can get through to the other side of the shirt.The thick cardboard, masonite, or foam board is what most t-shirt boards are made of.The shirt should be held above the ground by the easel.It needs to be positioned in a way that allows your hand to move over the shirt as you work.
Step 12: The shirt should be held over by the airbrush.
The stencil is attached to the shirt.The best place to start is at the edge of the design.Different effects can be created by the distance between the shirt and the airbrush.If you want a soft appearance, hold the airbrush close to the shirt.Hold it close to the material for a harder appearance.
Step 13: It's a good idea to spray across the surface.
Release a stream of paint by easing thetrigger back.To fill the exposed areas with paint, move your hand over the entire stencil.Use less paint when holding the airbrush close to the surface.As you apply the paint to the material, you need to move your hand across the entire surface.If you don't move your hand, paint will appear at the beginning and end of each stroke.Gaps of blank space can be prevented by overlapping each pass.
Step 14: As needed, switch colors.
If you want to change colors, simply release the spray, remove the old jar, and screw on the new jar.You should be able to use the same brush for all colors if you use a bottom-fed airbrush.
Step 15: The stencil needs to be removed.
Carefully peel the stencil back from the shirt after filling it in.Lifting away the stencil requires removing tape holding the edges down.You may need to wait until the paint dries before peeling it away if the stencil resists too much.The risk of disturbing the paint and ruining the image will be minimized by doing so.
Step 16: As desired, add freehand designs.
The time is right to add freehand elements.Since there will be no way to correct mistakes, consider the placement carefully.The most common freehand elements are letters and numbers.It's a good idea to practice different fonts in advance before putting them on a shirt.
Step 17: Allow the paint to dry.
Before attempting to heat press the paint, give it enough time to dry.You should let the paint dry for at least 30 minutes depending on the manufacturer.If you touch the surface of the shirt with your fingers, they should not feel tacky.
Step 18: Parchment paper is used to protect the t-shirt.
Place the t-shirt on a hard, flat surface and cover it with a sheet of paper.Do not apply heat directly to the design since it can cause the paint to peel away.If you don't have parchment paper, you can iron the reverse side of the t-shirt.Before moving on to the next step, make sure the material is smooth and flat.
Step 19: Pass over the design with an iron.
Allow a standard iron to preheat to the "cotton" setting, then carefully press the entire design with the hot iron for approximately two minutes.The paint should be heat-treated to prevent it from washing out.The iron needs to reach a temperature of at least 300 degrees Fahrenheit.Using a professional conveyor set to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (50 degrees Celsius) for 20 minutes is one of the options for heat setting the design.For 30 seconds, you can use a heat press.The heat gun needs to be adjusted for 30 seconds.
Step 20: Launder as usual.
You should be able to wash the shirt in cold water once it cools.If you want the material to air dry, place the shirt on low.After washing and drying the t-shirt, the garment is ready to wear.