How to make your own Burma protest T-Shirt
You can create your own custom protest t-shirt with absolutely no sewing
skills. T-shirts, canvas bags, and other fabric items can be made with iron-on
transfers and an injet printer.
There are kits available that give you everything you need, including
software and a t-shirt, or you can assemble your own materials. Whichever route
you go, here's what you'll need for the typical iron-on style of transfer:
- Software (even microsoft word will work)
- Artwork
- Transfer paper (available from stationary stores)
- Printer (Inkjet)
- Iron (or heat transfer press)
- Hard surface (if using an iron)
- Pillowcase or other fabric (if using an iron)
- T-shirt or other item to receive transfer.
Read the instructions on the thermal transfer paper. Remember, when the instructions say you need a HOT iron, they mean it. Here are tips
and explanations based on my own experience with creating and applying iron-on
transfers.
Tips for making your own T-Shirt
- Print a Preview Always, always, always print a preview copy of your image
before printing it on the (expensive) transfer paper. Do this to insure that
colors print correctly, that your image doesn't fall into your printer's
no-print zone along the margins, and to see what size your design will be
(sometimes the on-screen view can be deceiving).
- Flip Image Don't forget to flip or mirror your image. This is especially
critical if you have text in your design. The text should be backwards on screen
or on the print out. (Another good reason to print a preview copy first!) Some
programs do this automatically.
- Use the Right Side of the Paper Transfer paper has stripes on the
non-printing side. Be sure to put the paper in your printer so that it prints on
the clean white side.
- White Does Not Print In designing your artwork remember that WHITE does not
print. The fabric will show through any parts of the design that are white. For
example, if you print a white ghost on plaid fabric — you'll get a plaid ghost!
Plan your design accordingly. As with any desktop publishing project, consider
the background color when selecting colors for your designs.
- Test on Scrap Fabric Test your design on “scratch fabric” before applying it
to your final t-shirt or other fabric. Some types of fabric may require more
ironing (heat) than others or may not show off your design as well as you
expected.
- Use Lots of Heat Use your iron's hottest setting but no steam. It takes a lot
of heat to transfer the image evenly and completely to the fabric. Peel off the
paper while it is still hot.
- Use a Hard Surface The reason transfer instructions specify a hard surface
(such as formica) is because it holds the heat. Ironing boards tend to disperse
the heat and the transfer paper needs to be very hot to work properly.
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Let us know if there are any protest events in Australia.
Click here for past Australian events.
Australia continues to support the people of Burma
Contact:
Australia Burma Network
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