Dark Color Iron-On Instructions

DARK COLOR FABRIC IRON-ON TRANSFER INSTRUCTIONS (BLUE BACKING)

ITEMS YOU WILL NEED:

  • Garment (T Shirt, Canvas Bag, Apron, cotton and poly-cotton fabrics etc.)
  • Iron – 1400 w or higher
  • Suitable FLAT Surface (Solid Table, Work Top, Floor or similar – DO NOT USE AN IRONING BOARD)
  • Pillowcase
  • Silicon fixing paper (Supplied and reusable)

PREPARATION:

REMEMBER – Using this paper you get the EXACT image on the shirt as you have on the paper, including the white background in between the image/lettering and any white edge visible.

  • Trim as much excess white areas from around and within the image as possible.  You can cut around the image as a whole if the image is more detailed than a block image.
  • Prepare a FLAT solid surface by placing a pillowcase down on the hard surface and then place the garment on top of the pillowcase.  Do not use an ironing board.  This will cause the image not to transfer completely and your image will peel as a result.
  • Heat up iron to cotton setting/400F for 4-5 minutes.
  • DO NOT use steam.
  • Before applying the image, slowly peel off the backing sheet (blue backing).  You will end up with your image on a thin film and you can discard the backing as you will not need it.  It may be helpful to peel a corner away from the white edge prior to trimming so the image does not get damaged.

TRANSFERRING THE IMAGE – Ironing with a Domestic Iron:

  • Iron the garment without the image to warm it up a little and smooth out any creases (about 20 seconds)  It is recommended to pre-wash the garment if it is new so the image will not crack or peel due to shrinkage when washed.
  • Place the transfer paper with the image printed FACE UP onto the garment.  Remember to peel off the white and blue backing.
  • Place the silicon sheet (supplied and reusable) onto the exposed image to protect the image from the iron.  It is important to not let the silicon sheet shift as you iron.  If your iron touches the image directly it will melt off that part of the image.
  • Start ironing the image.  Make sure all areas of the image receive the same amount of heat by moving the iron constantly in small circles and covering all the areas, especially the edges.  Apply FIRM and CONSTANT PRESSURE to the iron.  (You cannot put too much pressure on the image – THE MORE THE BETTER)
  • Iron 2 1/2 – 3 minutes for full sheet images, 90 seconds for 1/2 sheet images, and 45 seconds for 1/4 sheet images.  TIME MAY NEED TO BE ADJUSTED as iron temperatures can vary.  It is crucial that ALL areas of the image receive equal time length of ironing.  Insufficient time will achieve a poor result.
  • If there are any areas that have not adhered well, replace the silicon paper and iron the area for another minute.

TRANSFERRING THE IMAGE – Heat Press:

  • Follow the same instructions as with iron but apply the press for 20-30 seconds at 375 degrees F. and high pressure.

TRANSFERRING THE IMAGES – Peeling:

  • Please wait until completely cooled before removing the silicon paper.  Once peeled, the image is transferred and the process is complete.

FIXING:

  • There is no need to fix the image.  Once the silicon paper is peeled, the process in complete.
  • If your image starts to fade or lose color after so many washes, apply a sheet of parchment paper for about 10 seconds with your iron set on cotton setting (3 seconds with a heat press). This is to add protection and can be done for the life of the garment.

WASHING:

  • Wait 24 hours before washing the garment.
  • Wash inside out using a FULL SPIN CYCLE and cold water setting.  Remove promptly from the washer.  Not suitable for hand washing or delicate cycles.  Do not bleach or leave wet too long (this may cause the image colors to bleed).   
  • It is recommended to air dry your garment but if it is necessary to use the dryer, than turn inside out and dry with no heat.  Heat can damage the image in the dryer.
  • Iron inside out if needed.

TROUBLE SHOOTING:

  • Some of the image did not transfer.  Make sure the iron is set on cotton setting and that all areas of the image are ironed equally especially the edges.  Make sure you are applying as much pressure as possible.  Also, make sure you are working on a solid surface.  An ironing board IS NOT SUITABLE for this process.
  • The image has not transferred at all and comes off the garment.  Check that you have peeled off the backing paper away from the image.
  • There is no image just white showing after applying it to the garment.  This happens when the image is applied face down and the backing was not peeled off.  Make sure the backing is peeled off prior to the application process and the image is placed FACE UP on the garment with the silicon/parchment paper on top protecting the image from the iron.
  • During washing some ink ran.  Wash garment in a washing machine only – DO NOT HAND WASH and DO NOT use delicate wash cycles.  Wash cycle must have a full spin cycle and only wash in cold water.  Do not leave garments soaking in water and do not leave wet in washer.
  • Some of the image peeled off or cracked during the wash or dry cycle.  Per-wash shirt if new before applying the image.  This prevents shrinkage that could cause cracking and peeling.  Iron the image on a flat surface (not an ironing board) and make sure enough heat and pressure are applied evenly on the transfer during the application process.  Also, fixing the image with the silicon sheet will ensure more durability throughout many washes.  This can be reapplied over the life of the garment to continue protection.  Make sure you wash in cold water and either air dry of dry with no heat.
  • The edges of image are peeling up.  Make sure enough pressure and heat are applied to the edges.  It is important to apply equal heat and pressure to the whole image especially the edges.  If it starts to peel back – take a piece of parchment paper and cover the peeled area, reheat your iron, and reapply the image using the same technique as instructed.  This may not work if it has been washed.
  • The image stuck to itself in the dryer and peeled the image away from the shirt.  It is recommended to air dry but if a dryer is used, the garment should be inside out on a no heat setting.

TOP MISTAKES:

1.  Don’t forget to cut around the image carefully. If you don’t cut round your image carefully enough, you’ll end up with too much fabric transfer paper left which will reduce the impact of your design.

2.  Don’t iron on a surface which isn’t a flat hard surface. You must iron your fabric transfer paper on a completely flat hard surface; otherwise the image will not be sufficiently attached to the fabric.  Do not use an ironing board.

3.  Don’t be frightened to get the iron really hot. It is essential that your iron is set on cotton setting and has reached its maximum temperature before you iron the transfer.  It’s important that if you use a steam iron, the steam is switched off and no water is in the iron.

4.  Don’t keep the iron still. The problem with today’s irons is that most have indentations on the bottom for steam to pass. If you don’t keep the iron moving while you’re applying your transfer, there will be parts of your image that won’t stick to your fabric.

5.  Don’t forget to apply enough iron pressure. The whole transfer process relies on pressure to make it work effectively. While moving the iron, you must consciously apply as much pressure as you can in order to get the best effect.

6.  Don’t leave any part of the image un-ironed. Leaving small parts of the image un-ironed is a common mistake particularly on irregular or large images. You must make sure that every corner of the image has been ironed.

7.  Don’t wash your garment before the printing has fully set. The guideline for fabric transfer paper is not to wash it before it has been allowed to set for 24 hours. Again a common mistake is washing the garment too soon after printing.

8.  Don’t forget to peel the backing off.  This will not allow it to adhere to the fabric as intended.

9.  Place the image face up.  It is a common mistake to place it face down as you would for a light color fabric transfer.  When you do this for a dark color fabric transfer, the image itself will adhere to the garment and you will be left with plain white.  Remember to peel the backing off and place the image face up on the garment with the silicon/parchment paper on top of the image prior to ironing.