# How to Turn Your Old T-Shirts into New Treasures with Iron-On Transfer Sheets

Do you have a pile of old t-shirts that you don't wear anymore, but don't want to throw away? Do you want to give them a new life and a new look? If so, you might be interested in learning how to use iron-on transfer sheets to create your own custom designs on your t-shirts. Iron-on transfer sheets are special papers that you can print your images or text on, and then transfer them to your fabric with an iron. They are easy to use, affordable, and fun! There are many benefits of recycling, repurposing, and reusing your t-shirts with iron-on transfer sheets. Here are some of them: - You can save money by not buying new clothes, and by using materials that you already have at home. - You can reduce waste and environmental impact by keeping your t-shirts out of landfills, and by saving the resources that it takes to make new ones. - You can express your creativity and personality by designing your own unique t-shirts that reflect your style and interests. - You can have fun and enjoy the satisfaction of making something by yourself. According to Goodwill Industries International, it takes about 700 gallons of water to make one cotton t-shirt. That's enough water for one person to drink for 900 days! By reusing your old t-shirts, you can help conserve water and other natural resources that are used in the textile industry. One way to repurpose your t-shirts is to use iron-on transfer sheets with images or text that you print from your computer. You can find these sheets at craft stores, office supply stores, or online. There are different types of iron-on transfer sheets for light or dark fabrics, so make sure you choose the right one for your t-shirt color. You will also need an inkjet printer, scissors, an iron, and a hard surface to work on. Here are the basic steps to use iron-on transfer sheets: 1. Choose an image or text that you want to print on your t-shirt. You can use your own photos, graphics, or fonts, or you can find free or paid designs online. Some popular websites for finding t-shirt designs are Pinterest, Etsy, and Creative Fabrica. 2. Open the image or text in a photo editing software, such as Photoshop or Canva. Resize it to fit your t-shirt, and adjust the colors and contrast if needed. If you are using a light fabric transfer sheet, you will need to flip or mirror the image horizontally, so that it appears reversed on your screen. This is because the image will be transferred face down on your fabric. If you are using a dark fabric transfer sheet, you don't need to flip the image. 3. Load the iron-on transfer sheet into your printer according to the instructions on the package. Make sure you print on the correct side of the sheet, which is usually marked with a logo or a corner that peels off easily. Print the image or text using the highest quality setting on your printer. 4. Cut out the image or text from the transfer sheet, leaving a small margin around it. If you are using a dark fabric transfer sheet, peel off the backing paper from the image. 5. Preheat your iron to the highest setting without steam. Place a pillowcase or a thin cloth on a hard surface, such as a table or a floor. Iron the pillowcase or cloth to remove any wrinkles or moisture. 6. Place your t-shirt on top of the pillowcase or cloth, and smooth out any wrinkles. Position the image or text on your t-shirt where you want it to be transferred. If you are using a light fabric transfer sheet, place it face down on your fabric. If you are using a dark fabric transfer sheet, place it face up on your fabric. 7. Cover the image or text with another pillowcase or cloth to protect it from direct heat. Press the iron firmly over the image or text, moving it slowly and evenly from side to side and top to bottom. Follow the instructions on the package for how long you need to iron each area of the image or text. Usually, it takes about 2 minutes for a full-page image, 90 seconds for a half-page image, and 45 seconds for a quarter-page image. 8. Let the t-shirt cool down completely before peeling off the transfer sheet. If you are using a light fabric transfer sheet, peel it off starting from one corner. If you are using a dark fabric transfer sheet, peel it off starting from one edge. 9. Enjoy your new custom t-shirt! If you want some inspiration and tips on how to use iron-on transfer sheets for different t-shirt designs, check out these YouTube videos: - How to use dark T-shirt transfer paper with an iron - DIY Custom T-Shirts | Iron-On Transfer Paper (Dark & Light) - How to Print a Picture on a T-Shirt with Iron-On Transfers Iron-on transfer sheets are a great way to recycle, repurpose, and reuse your old t-shirts. You can create your own custom designs that are good for the environment, good for the economy, and good for your personal finances. Have fun and be creative with iron-on transfer sheets! If you are looking for some other ways to repurpose your old t-shirts, here are some more ideas: - Turn them into a dress. You can cut and sew different t-shirts together to make a colorful and comfortable dress. You can also add some embellishments, such as buttons, lace, or ribbons, to make it more stylish. Here is a tutorial from Coffee, Love, Travel on how to make a t-shirt dress. - Make a t-shirt quilt. You can use your old t-shirts to make a cozy and sentimental quilt that will keep you warm and remind you of your memories. You can use t-shirts from different events, activities, or places that you have been to, or you can use t-shirts with similar colors or themes. Here is a tutorial from Wiki How on how to make a t-shirt quilt. - Create a t-shirt bag. You can turn your old t-shirts into handy and eco-friendly bags that you can use for shopping, traveling, or storing things. You don't even need to sew them, just cut and tie them in a few simple steps. Here is a tutorial from Mommypotamus on how to make a t-shirt bag. - Crochet a rug. You can cut your old t-shirts into strips and use them as yarn to crochet a colorful and durable rug for your home. You can choose any pattern or shape that you like, and use different colors to create interesting effects. Here is a tutorial from One Dog Woof on how to crochet a rug with t-shirt yarn. - Make tie-dye t-shirt headbands. You can use some bleach and dye to transform your plain white t-shirts into vibrant tie-dye headbands that will add some flair to your hair. You can also braid them and add some elastic at the end to make them fit better. Here is a tutorial from The Pretty Life Girls on how to make tie-dye t-shirt headbands.