How to Use Inkjet Printable Heat Transfer On T-Shirts

The first step is to pick out the design you want to use. Whether it’s a favorite character or a cute phrase, choose a design that your child will love. You can create your design using a graphic design software, or find pre-made designs online.

I imported a .jpg file to my silhouette studio. Then just in case I duplicated the image to keep one untouched.

Using the trace tool, create the shape of your design. In this case, I set up the High pass filter to the full and modified the Threshold so the whole image would be covered in yellow.

Then I hit trace outer edges.

That creates a red line around the design.

I had the word Disney outside the main graphic so I created a rectangle, I placed it in a way that overlapped the graphic with the word, and using the weld tool in Modify I created one single cut shape.

Then since I didn’t want to risk cutting so close to the graphic, I used the offset tool.

When you chose it, it creates another border bigger than the original then I just delete the original one and leave the bigger one.

Now I design the wording. In this case, because of the expression of Tigger in the image I wrote: “Who?… Me?”.

I set up the size and position where it will be and set it aside.

QUICK TIP:

Ok here is where my saving side starts acting. I don’t like to waste material and once we print it will also print registering marks so there will be a waste. I decided to prepare and print some other stuff to use in the future.

Once ready I set up the page for printing.

Open the Page Setup tool from the right sidebar. Adjust the page size there to “Printer”.

Check the boxes to turn on the print border and cut border.

Press “M” on your keyboard to turn on the registration marks.

I placed everything so it would fit into the available space.

Mirror your design and make sure everything still fits inside the print and registration marks.

I have my printer settings set to “High-quality” so that I get the best quality print.

Load your PHTV into your printer and print your design onto so that it prints on the matte side of the vinyl sheet.

Again remember to mirror your design before printing it onto the printable material for light surfaces!

Send to print from Silhouette Studio.

Once your design is printed, place the printed sheet on a Silhouette cutting mat and load it into the Silhouette Cameo.

Then go to cut settings and chose Printable heat transfer material for light fabrics in the Material type options and set the blade settings as suggested.

Before sending it to cut make sure the cut lines are where you want them.

Sent to cut.

Once the cutting is done, peel off the excess printable HTV with your weeding tool. I removed all the excess material that wasn’t part of my design and only left my graphics.

Then I set up the wording and send it cut with normal Heat transfer vinyl. If you want to learn how to use Heat Transfer Vinyl you can check this post.

Before you transfer your design onto your kid’s t-shirt, you’ll need to prep the fabric. Wash and dry the t-shirt to remove any dirt or debris, and make sure it’s free of wrinkles.

Now it’s time to transfer your design onto the t-shirt!

Place your vinyl design face-down onto the t-shirt, making sure it’s centered and straight.

I placed the htv wording in the right place with the backing facing up. Placed a piece of clothes on top and Ironed on cotton setting for about 40 to 60 seconds. I left it to cool down a bit and peeled off the backing.

Cover the vinyl with a protective sheet (like a piece of clothes, parchment paper or a teflon sheet), and press down firmly with a hot iron on a cotton setting for around 40-60 seconds.

I recommend starting with 15-20 seconds and testing removing the protective sheet. If the vinyl comes off, put it back and iron it for another 15 seconds, and so on.

If using heat press, set it to 375 for 30 seconds and use firm pressure to press the image directly onto the shirt.

As soon as the time is complete, peel off the protective sheet while it is still hot, and admire your new creation!

Tadaaaaaa!!!! There you go! That’s all there is to using Inkjet Printable HTV on light materials! Now you have a cute new T-Shirt ready to be used.