"How To" Instructions

You have several options: 1) If you have an Inkjet or bubble-jet printer (like an Epson Stylus Ink Jet Printer or Canon's color bubble jet printers - Multipass C2500, BJC-70, BJC-200 series, BJC-4000 series or the BJC-600 series, the HP DeskJet printer or Lexmark WinWriter/Jet printer for example), insert the transfer paper (available at most major computer stores) and print out the desired image. (Canon, Epson and Hanes are a few of the ones that provide the transfer paper.) DO NOT use Inkjet or bubble jet transfer paper in a laser printer. Cut away the unprinted edges of the paper with a pair of scissors, leaving at least a 1/4 inch border. You only need to iron what's actually printed. Get a light colored cotton or cotton-poly blend T-shirt you want to put the decal on. (Note: if you want to get t-shirts made for use with T-shirt transfers, like the Hanes Beefy T-shirts, call 1-800.HANES-2-U or www.hanes2u.com.) You'll need a smooth, wrinkle-free pillow case and a clean glass or Formica ironing surface, such as a kitchen counter top or table top. DO NOT USE AN IRONING BOARD!!! Then, heat up an ordinary clothes iron to the "highest" setting for 8 minutes. DO NOT USE STEAM. Ensure the ironing surface is clean and smooth. Place the pillowcase on the ironing surface. Smooth it out until it is perfectly flat, with no wrinkles or folds. Place the garment on the pillowcase and smooth it out until it is perfectly flat with no wrinkles or folds. Place the transfer paper, printed side down, onto the garment. Peeling off the transfer paper after ironing can be tricky. To ensure that you an get a good grip, you can dog-ear one corner of the paper. Place the iron over the top left corner of the transfer paper, such that the center of the iron is directly above the corner of the page. Slowly and FIRMLY press the iron along the long edge of the transfer paper. Take about 15 seconds to cover the distance. Reposition the iron over the bottom left corner of the transfer paper, and repeat the motion. Make 10 complete circles around the transfer paper, pressing FIRMLY the whole time and taking about eight seconds per circle. IMPORTANT: Take special care to iron the entire surface of the transfer, including the edges. WHILE THE TRANSFER PAPER IS STILL HOT, quickly place the iron aside, catch a corner of the paper with your fingernail, and peel the paper from the garment in one smooth motion. If the transfer paper doesn't peel off easily, stop immediately, make another pass with the iron, and try again. The paper must be hot in order to peel off! Smooth the garment with your hands, and let it cool for at least 2 minutes. CAUTION: Adult participation required for ironing transfers. Transfer quality will vary with the quality and heat of the iron used. 2) If you don't have the right printer, print out a copy of the design from our web site, in the highest resolution possible and check with your local copy shops. Many will be able to print on transfer paper, some, like some Kinkos, even have the equipment to transfer the decal to a T-shirt for you. 3) When you want to wash it, to help insure that it will last longer, follow these instructions: If you use a Canon Bubble Jet BJC-600 series or HP DeskJet printers, you will need to do a pre-wash with standard white distilled vinegar. Set washing machine water level to LOW. Set water temperature to COLD. Add one cup of vinegar, turn the garment inside out and place it in the washing machine. (Try putting it in a pillow case to reduce wear and tear while washing and drying.) Start the wash cycle. When complete, do not remove from the washing machine but wash it again in cold water with a color protection detergent. Remove immediately after the wash cycle is finished. For best results, allow the garment to line-dry. Optionally, you can machine-dry the item on the low setting. Do not wring garment. Do not leave garment wet longer than necessary. Do not iron over the transfer. Transfers are generally adversely affected by very high temperatures of any kind. Avoid exposure to these conditions.

If you use any other Canon BJC series or Multipass 2500, the Epson Stylus or Lexmark WinWriter/Jetprinters, you don't need to do the pre-wash with vinegar. Just follow the regular wash instructions above.