If you don’t mind the image being reversed in your final design, you don’t have to reverse it beforehand. Don’t flip the image vertically since it will still make text or images look backwards.
You can also find photo transfer paper online if you don’t live near a craft store.
Test printing on a standard sheet of paper first if you don’t want to waste the photo transfer paper. If you aren’t sure which side of the paper gets printed on, put a dot on a standard piece of paper and feed it through your printer with the dot face-up. Look for the dot on the sheet of paper when it finishes printing.
If the fabric you’re using has wrinkles, iron it beforehand so it’s flat.
Avoid keeping the iron in a single spot since you could burn the paper or fabric and create a fire hazard.
If the image starts lifting, lower the backing paper back against the fabric and try ironing over it again for another minute. Allow it to cool before peeling off the backing paper again.
Avoid washing the fabric right away since you could remove the design or cause the colors to bleed.
If you don’t flip the image, then any text or design elements will look backwards after you finish transferring it onto the fabric.
Inkjet printers won’t work with nail polish remover since the ink needs to be toner-based in order to transfer. Many libraries or print shops have laser printers if you don’t have access to one at home.
Work in a well-ventilated area since nail polish remover creates fumes that may irritate your lungs.
Be careful not to press too hard since you may tear through the paper and ruin your design.
If the paper dries out while you’re rubbing it with the credit card, rewet it with nail polish remover again to help prevent any damage.
Sometimes, nail polish remover makes your design look like it’s aged or less saturated, so the image may not be as bright as the design you initially printed out.
After you dry the fabric, you can wash and dry it as you normally would.
You don’t have to flip the image horizontally if it doesn’t contain any text or design elements that would be noticed if they were backwards.
Don’t use a laserjet printer since the colors are more likely to bleed and you won’t get as crisp of an image. Ask a local print shop if they have a laser printer to use if you don’t have one at home. Many laser printers only print black-and-white images, so check if you have a color laser printer if you want different shades in your design.
Acrylic gel mediums are paint binders that don’t have pigment, but they also transfer images from toner-based ink. You can buy them from your local craft store or online. Common gel mediums include Liquitex and Mod Podge.
You can also use a foam paint roller to smooth out the paper if you aren’t able to remove all of the wrinkles by hand.
As you wet the paper, it will start to tear off of the fabric but your design will stay adhered to it.
