Print your own iron on transfers

• Printer
  An inkjet compatible with iron on transfers
• Paper
  Regular paper for printing previews of your design
• Iron on transfers
  HP Iron-on, cool-peel inkjet transfers work best on white fabrics.
• Iron
  You'll be using the cotton setting without steam
• Fabric to decorate
  A T-shirt, apron, pillowcase, or tote bag of at least 50% cotton 
• Test fabric
  An old garment of the same material as your fabric to decorate (optional)

Additional iron-on art is available at the HP Creative Studio .

This is the correct direction for iron-on transfer text.

Cut a ¼ " border around most designs to avoid bleeds.

If you are using HP iron on transfers, be sure to follow the detailed instructions on the package. Here are the basic steps for creating an iron-on transfer:

• Choose your artwork
  Download one of the simple iron on transfers projects from the HP Activity Center, or create your own design.
• Print a preview
  Print a preview of your design on regular paper. It should look exactly how you would like to see it. Keep making adjustments and printing previews on regular paper until you are satisfied with your design.
• Check design’s direction
  Remember, when you iron on your design, it will be flipped so that a mirror image will appear on your garment. Use imaging software to flip or “reverse” the image if necessary. If you’re not sure if you need to flip your image, look at it in the mirror. If it looks backwards, you should flip your design. (This is an especially important test for iron on transfers that include text.)
• Print your transfer
  Print your design onto an HP iron-on transfer. Print two if you plan to iron one onto a test garment.
• Cut carefully
  Cut out your design, leaving about ¼" border.
• Set your iron
  Use the “cotton” or hottest setting, and turn off steam.
• Test your iron-on
  If you want to do a test, iron your design onto an old garment/piece of material (ideally of the same material and color as the one you’ll use).
• Get leverage
  As an alternative to an ironing board, you may also use a low, flat surface such as a workbench so you can press harder when you iron.
• You’re ready!
  Iron your design onto your final garment.
• Finish up
  Remove the paper backing from the iron-on transfer.

• Use the right printer
  Do not use iron on transfers with laser printers.
• Choose the right fabric
  For best results, pre-wash your material.
• Load media correctly
  Make sure you load the iron on transfer paper so it prints on the clean white side.
• Launder with care
  To wash, turn the item inside out and wash in cold water (the first time, wash it without detergent.) Remove the items immediately after the wash is done and hang to dry.

Using iron on transfers for your personalized projects can also be a fun family activity! Watch this short video to see how two sisters created their own t-shirts using the HP Creative Studio iron on designs and HP iron on transfer paper.

Click on the arrow / play button to the left to view the video.

Personalize a shirt with Alphabet iron on transfers

Visit the HP Creative Studio for more great iron on transfers and designs.

If you’re looking for a fresh way to create personalized gifts with a professional look, these iron-on designs will provide the inspiration.

• Customize 
  Make a customized T-shirt or spell out names, sports teams or events with our varied Western Alphabet iron-ons.
• Update
  With Butterfly Dreams designs, you can spruce up a hand-me down garment such as a cotton jacket.
• Renew
  Decorate an earth-friendly Organic Greens tote bag for books or groceries.
• Add meaning
  Give a handmade Baby onesie and bib to welcome a new addition, personalized with a name or cute saying.
• Decorate
  Create a one-of-a-kind wall hanging with Celtic flair.

Creating your own personalized projects with iron on transfers is so easy. Just make sure you have the right paper to get started:

HP iron-on transfers (for light fabrics)

• It’s not just for iron on transfers
  Visit the HP Creative Studio for easy-to-make greeting cards, calendars and more.

• Additional inspired projects
  Explore more free projects, such as photo upload calendars, at the HP Creative Studio .

• Get the most out of your printer
  Crafts are that much easier when you’re familiar with a few Printing tips and how-tos from HP.

• Make your own!
  Visit Home printing ideas to get tons of ideas for unlocking your printer’s creative possibilities—and your own!

Photographs and technology pave the way for truly unique and creative ideas. Do you have new ideas on photography and printing that you'd like to share with others?

If so, please take a minute to submit your ideas to us. Your innovative idea could get published on the site!