Transferring Designs is Easy with Avery
Written: Jun 26 '05 (Updated Jun 27 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: easy to use in inkjet printer, create images up to 8" x 10"
Cons: images have a plastic look, cannot use with printers that have heat elements, transfers crease
The Bottom Line: The Bottom Line thinks I should transfer its image to fabric. I'm not sure the world is ready for that.
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| dlstewart's Full Review: AVERY IN-HOUSE T-Shirt Transfer Sheets AVE 3275 |
I needed to transfer designs to fabric ... fast. I didn’t want to order something and wait for it to arrive. I know ... impatient me! I wanted to start my project right away. I also wanted to transfer the designs inexpensively since this was a first attempt at this type of thing. That’s when I purchased Avery T-Shirt Transfer Sheets (# 3275).
Description
The transfer sheets measure 8 1/2" x 11" and are designed to run through an inkjet printer. Each sheet has a sleek, smooth feel. One side is a solid white while the opposite side of the sheet has a vertical blue line. The side with the blue line is the back side of the transfer sheet.
The transfer sheets, when printed, are ironed onto fabric. The ironing process releases the design from the sheet to the fabric.
Note that these transfer sheets cannot be used in an inkjet printer with a heating element. For example, the sheets are not designed to work in HP DeskJet printer model numbers 1200C or 1600C. Do not use these sheets in a laser printer or copy machine.
These particular transfer sheets are meant to be used on fabrics light in color, such as white or beige. If these transfers are used on colored fabrics, the color inks will most likely change color when applied to the fabric. Use these transfers on either 100% cotton fabrics or a polyester-cotton blend.
The Avery packaging states that these sheets can be used to transfer images to t-shirts, sweatshirts, aprons, tablecloths, napkins, placemats, canvas tote bags, and even mousepads. According to the manufacturer, the images produced are fade-resistant and have a professional silk-screened appearance.
Instruction Sheets
The transfer sheets come with two sets of instructions. One sheet is a double-sided 8 1/2" x 11" paper with general tips, how to iron the transfers to fabric, creating multiple transfers as well as washing and drying instructions.
The second set of instructions is an 8-page pamphlet. The instructions give an overview of the product and step-by-step instructions for creating and printing the transfers using a variety of software programs (word processing programs, American Greetings CreataCard, CorelDraw, Corel Print House, Microsoft Greetings Workshop, Microsoft Publisher, Adobe PhotoDeluxe, Broderbund Print Shop, Micrografx Windows Draw, Microsoft Picture It!, Mindscape Printmaster Gold & Platinum, Sierra Print Artist). The last page of the pamphlet offers Avery Customer Support information.
My Projects
I am creating a quilt that features different crazy quilted blocks. In case you are unfamiliar with crazy quilts, each block in the quilt is different, constructed from a variety of fabrics, each fabric a different shape … and, like a jigsaw puzzle, the fabric shapes are combined to make a square. Later the finished squares are embroidered and embellished with beads, lace, ribbon, and/or buttons.
For this particular project, I wanted to print my haiku poetry on the transfer sheets and iron the poetry onto 100% cotton white fabric. Each crazy quilt block will feature one haiku somewhere in the square.
I love to write haiku, and I love to quilt. Why not combine the two into a unique piece of art. In case you are interested, here is one of my haiku:
orbed yellow moon
reflected water ribbons
mallards sail moonlight
Another creative endeavor I enjoy is to create quilt block clipart on the computer. These clipart designs are in color and represent a vast array of traditional and original quilt patterns. I wanted to print some of the clipart designs in 1 1/2" squares onto the transfer sheets to iron onto white fabric. I’ll use these mini quilt blocks in a future project.
Before Printing – Crafting the Design
I used Microsoft Publisher to create the page I wanted to print on the transfer paper. One thing I had to keep in mind when typing my haiku text was that when I printed the page, I would have to “flip” the words so that they appeared backward on the transfer sheet. When the text is ironed onto the fabric, the words will be readable.
The instructions give specific information regarding the margins. As a rule, keep the document margins at a 1/2" on all sides. Using Microsoft Publisher, I created text boxes for my text and arranged the text on the page, making sure to keep white area around each haiku since I would be cutting the haiku apart before transferring them to fabric. I had some room leftover on the page, so I included a few small clipart images to print.
I kept the page in portrait orientation, but it is also easy to print designs using a landscape format. The instructions say that it is possible to cover up to 8" x 10" on the sheet. Create one large design or several smaller designs. I make sure to cover the entire sheet in text and images so as not to waste the paper. It’s interesting to note that nowhere in the instructions does it say not to run the sheets through the printer multiple times, but I tend to be cautious. Once the transfer sheet has run through the printer, I do not run the sheet through again.
Printing on the Transfer Sheet
Read all the instructions before beginning the print process. The instructions vary with the software and/or printer being used. I used these transfer sheets in an Epson Color Stylus 860 inkjet printer.
After creating my designs in Microsoft Publisher, I printed a test page on regular paper to make sure the designs fit on the page the way I wished. Next, as suggested in the instructions, I took a regular sheet of paper, and using a pencil marked the word UP with an arrow pointing toward the feed slot. Then I printed something on the page. This showed me which way I needed to load the transfer paper so that I printed on the correct side of the sheet.
I inserted one sheet of transfer paper into the printer. (It is recommended to singly feed the sheets.) Then in the software program, I went to File and Print. I entered the printer properties and made sure the Horizontal Flip feature was "on". That way the text would print reversed. Since my clipart images were symmetrical, it didn’t matter if they were flipped.
After the page printed, I let it set for several minutes to make sure the ink was dry on the sheet. Once the ink is dry, the sheet is ready for iron-on transfer.
Transferring the Image – Ironing
Before beginning, I made sure my fabric was ironed and wrinkle free. I set my iron to the Cotton setting and turned the steam function off since getting the transfer wet could cause it to peel. The iron preheated for 10 minutes.
I cut each haiku from the transfer sheet and placed them one at a time, print side down, on the fabric to iron them. It’s important to press the iron firmly onto the design for about 30 seconds, moving the iron a bit during the pressing process. After the 30 seconds of ironing, I raised the iron for a few seconds, then ironed the transfer a second time. When finished, the transfer has to cool before removing the transfer sheet paper.
After the transfer paper is removed, the transfer paper is blank. The entire design has been transferred to the fabric. I have never had a design not completely transfer. The reversed text, after transferring, is quite crisp and easy to read (I used a size 18 Times New Roman font). The clipart images also look great. The colors are vivid.
One thing that bothers me, though, is that where the transfer has touched the fabric … the fabric has a matte plastic appearance. Even after washing, this matte plastic look does not disappear. The fabric feels smooth, almost silky where the transfer has been applied.
For the text portions I transferred, I made sure to leave plenty of white space on the transfer paper so that the entire block of text would have that plastic look. I thought it would appear strange if only part of the haiku had that look.
For the clipart images, I intend to sew the seam right against the clipart design so that only the clipart image itself has the plastic look. The instructions recommend trimming the transfer sheet close to the image/design being ironed onto the fabric. Leave a "small, clear edge around the image".
If desired, the whole transfer sheet can be ironed onto fabric. Just make sure the entire transfer sheet has been ironed and that the paper has cooled before removing the transfer sheet from the fabric.
Continuing with My Project
I only have two crazy quilt blocks left to sew. The transferred haiku is working out well. I treat the fabric image just as if it were material. As I mentioned earlier, I left a lot of white space around the image so the entire image, including the space around it, retained that "plastic" look. I wasn’t sewing right up to the text; I needed to leave a bit of white space around the text so that it didn’t look cramped on the block. I sewed other pieces of fabric around the haiku, sewing right through the plastic areas without problem. All modesty aside, the crazy quilt blocks look great.
I'm glad I'm using these transferred images on a wall hanging, though. I accidentally folded one of the transferred haiku fabric pieces ... and it creased. I have not been able to remove the crease. The instructions say not to iron a transferred image once the transfer paper is removed. So I will definitely be careful in which projects I use these transfers.
In case you are wondering, I do not fold my quilted wall hangings. I roll them. So I won't have to worry about the haiku creasing. Once this quilt has been displayed in our guild's quilt show, I will hang it in the house.
Cleaning & Care
The manufacturer recommends that the transfer design cure for a minimum of 72 hours after ironing before the fabric image is washed. If the design is on a garment, turn the garment inside out before washing. Wash in cold water and do not use beach or fabric softener during the first wash, and limit the bleach during future washings. If machine washing, immediately remove the item when cleaning is finished. It is okay to tumble dry on low heat.
As an experiment, I hand washed several of the fabric designs I transferred. The ink remained on the fabric, nothing bled. I hung the fabric to dry. I do not intend to machine- wash or dry the quilt I am making.
Purchasing
I bought a package of 12 transfers at Walmart for about $12.00. The Avery website lists the 12-pack of transfers at a price of $15.44. These transfer sheets are also available in a 6-pack for $11.32 and a package of 18 sheets for $23.68, according to the Avery website.
Summary
The Avery T-Shirt Transfer Sheets were a quick fix at a reasonable price. Would I use them again or try another method of transferring text and images to fabric? I will continue to use these transfer sheets until they are gone. Then I’m going to experiment with another product.
I attended a quilting-sewing expo where several photo/image transfer products were demonstrated. Some of them work without leaving a plastic residue. The fabric-transferred image looks and feels like fabric without that plastic feel. It’s fun to experiment!
I hope you have found this review useful.
Enjoy your day,
Dawn
http://dlstewart.com
Additional Information
Avery Dennison
Brea, CA 92821
Toll-free Phone: 800-462-8379
If you would like to view my quilt block clipart, here is the link to my website: http://dlstewart.com/clipart.htm
Please read my other reviews:
Olfa 18mm Rotary Cutter
Olfa 28mm Rotary Cutter
Olfa 45mm Rotary Cutter
Olfa Rotary Cutter Replacement Wheels – all sizes
Olfa 4-pack Mini Weights with Organizer
Olfa Weights
Olfa Rotating Self-Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
Olfa Self-Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
Quilter’s Dream Sewing Table
Horn of America Sewing Chair
Janome Jem Sewing Machine
Ott Lite Flex-Arm Plus True Color Lamp
Copyright 2005 Dawn L. Stewart
Recommended:
Yes
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