Questions Re: Designing a Shirt

[MISSINDI]

OK, I'm appealing to the creative types on the board. My forte is writing, not artistic stuff. I need to put a message on a shirt. Is there a retail store that would be able to take something I print out on the computer and transfer it onto a shirt? Need it by this weekend, so would have to be someplace relatively local and quick.

I just came back from the Rag Shop, and they have transfer paper, which would do it, but because the message is words, I'd have to do it all backwards. :(

In the interim, in case such a place doesn't exist, I bought a million little letters to put on the shirt one by one, but am hoping there might be another way.

Thoughts?

[sage]

It probably wouldn't look as "professional" as the tranfer paper stuff that you can print on a computer---but if you fairly nice handwriting, you could use fabric markers to write your message on the shirt...

[MISSINDI]

I can handle writing nicely on an envelope, but no way for a shirt. That, and no room for error. ;)

[SheRa]

have you looked in the phonebook for a silkscreen shop? or somewhere that does t-shirts for kids' sports teams maybe?

[PamN]

I think Kinko's does fabric transfers, and they could reverse your copy if you can't figure out how to do it yourself.

One thing to consider is durability of the image. I don't think shirts done with transfers can be washed in the washing machine. I was going to get one from a mall kiosk for a Christmas gift until I noticed their sign that said shirts need to be handwashed in cold water. :eek:

So, a silkscreen shop might be a better option, if the shirt is supposed to be long-lasting. More expensive, though.

[Beth]

Silkscreening shops generally have a minimum order (12 in the case of my son's team recently -- 25 on another order in the past), so they aren't good for a single shirt.

If it's just one, you can get the iron on sheets to print off your computer and iron on. They are better than the ones they sold years ago, and you wnat to buy form a store that would have a decent turnover -- they don't work as well if they are really old. The software reverses the print for you when you select transfer paper in your set up.

Another option might be an embroidery shop if it's not too much writing -- you may pay by the letter.

[MISSINDI]

The software reverses the print for you when you select transfer paper in your set up.

Another option might be an embroidery shop if it's not too much writing -- you may pay by the letter.

Just counted - 22 letters. Not sure if there are embroidery shops in the area, but will go check the yellow pages.

Re: silk screen - doesn't have to have a ton of use after first wearing, but would definitely like it to last.

Beth - which program allows me to select transfer paper in the set-up - can you point me in the right direction. Checked Word and didn't see anything there.

[Goin' Coastal]

You might check with a store that sells sewing machines with embroidery functions. They may have a list of people that do embroidery.

[MISSINDI]

You guys are the best. :D Just got off the phone with an embroidery shop that's near where my mom's PT is, which is perfect. No minimum and it will be ready in 1-2 days, for $20. Same cost as the shirt and all the little letters I just bought, and now I don't have to worry about it not looking professional. Thanks a million. :D

[Beth]

YOu know what -- I think it is the print shop software we were working with, but I think the folks who sell the transfer sheets also have downloads or instructions for reversing. There is probably something already loaded on your PC that will do it -- I'm just not an expert on them. It's been a few years since I've done any, but it really didn't seem like a big deal to do it.

At least you have found your answer this time. Wish I could tell you better what we did on those shirts -- it was an overnight project so it can't be that complicated. If it comes up again, I can ask DS when he's home from school.

Feeling rather dense at the moment.....

[MISSINDI]

YOu know what -- I think it is the print shop software we were working with, but I think the folks who sell the transfer sheets also have downloads or instructions for reversing. There is probably something already loaded on your PC that will do it -- I'm just not an expert on them. It's been a few years since I've done any, but it really didn't seem like a big deal to do it.

At least you have found your answer this time. Wish I could tell you better what we did on those shirts -- it was an overnight project so it can't be that complicated. If it comes up again, I can ask DS when he's home from school.

Feeling rather dense at the moment.....

Thanks for the extra info. I looked at the transfer sheet package, and almost bought it because it would have been much easier, but all the images they showed were pictures, no text, and no instructions re: text and the staff had never tried it. Figured when it was for something important, no sense in being a guinea pig and screwing it up, you know? :D Just came back from the embroidery shop and they're going to print it and it will be ready Thursday. :cool: