Help Center - How to Use Heat Transfer Paper

How to Use Heat Transfer Paper

There are two ways to transfer a print from a heat transfer paper to a cloth, whether they be a shirt, a bag or other articles of clothing. Here are the universal guidelines for iron-on and heat press.

How to Use Heat Transfer Paper with an Iron

1. Print your preferred image in mirror mode on the correct side of the heat transfer paper.
2. Put a piece of cardboard inside the shirt to prevent the image from transferring to both sides of the shirt.
3. Place the cloth on a flat, hard, and heat-resistant surface (like a wood cutting board). Smooth the fabric over to get rid of wrinkles.
4. Trim out the blank areas around the edges of your print image. Position the print facedown on your fabric.
5. Set the iron to its hottest setting. Because direct heat will be needed for effective transfer. Do not use the steam setting since it can increase moisture around the fabric and interfere with the print transfer.
6. Evenly iron on the transfer paper to spread heat equally. Apply steady and even pressure in large circles from the outside edges going inward to the center of the transfer paper. Do so in 3 minutes or when the transfer paper's thermal indicators tell you to stop.
7. Wait for the transfer paper to cool down. Gently peel off the transfer paper from the corners. 
8. Wait 24 hours for the print to dry on the cloth before washing thoroughly.

Take note that heat transfer paper can wash off if not ironed properly.

How to Use Heat Transfer Paper with a Heat Press

1. Print your preferred image in mirror mode on the correct side of the heat transfer paper.
2. Plug the heat press machine directly into a standard 220V electric socket. Turn on the machine.
3. To heat your heat press machine, adjust its thermal settings (for example, the heat press temperature for cotton is 380 degrees) until the red heating light lights up.
4. When its thermometer indicates the correct temperature for your print transfer, you can lower the heat until the heating light turns off. Said light will blink on and off to maintain the correct transfer temperature.
5. If your machine comes with a digital timer, it will start as soon as you press its button. Pressing the stop button will reset the timer.
6. Lift the machine handle up to prepare it for printing.
7. Put a piece of cardboard inside the shirt to prevent the image from transferring to both sides of the shirt. Place the shirt or fabric on the heat press surface.
8. Trim out the blank areas around the edges of your print image. Position the print facedown on your fabric.
9. Bring the handle down and set the machine timer according to the instructions on the transfer paper that you are using.
10. Lift the handle when the timer alarm indicates the heat press is done.
11. Wait for the fabric to cool before gently peeling off the transfer paper.
12. Wait for 24 hours for the print to completely dry on the cloth before washing.

Take note that you can use normal printer ink on heat transfer paper.