Do it yourself T-shirts (Class B's) - how-to info (long)
Nathan Mann (ndmann@TACL.DNET.GE.COM)
Fri, 29 Aug 1997 14:46:51 -0400
Several scouters have requested HOW-TO instructions for making "class B shirts",
for Cubs as well as Scouts. (Tigers LOVE it, so do older scouts!)
o Involve the boys in the concept. They may be reluctant, thinking their
artwork isn't "good enough". Tell them you're looking for the concept, not
a finished masterpiece. (You might also find some great artists)
o Review for content. Does it convey the image your unit, your chartering
organization, and scouting overall would be proud of?
We include:
The artwork or logo
Unit type and number (Troop 40, Pack 40, or Venture Scouting - T40)
Chartering organization (St. Paul United Methodist Church)
Location (Louisville, Ky)
o Decide on printing process (Iron-on, Silk screen, block print, embroidery)
o Develop/refine the artwork - I prefer using the computer. The design can be
transfered to iron-on, silk screen, block print, embroidery later.
Remember to Keep it Simple (too much may make things look cluttered)
Consider the color of the Tshirt.
Light shirts work better with some images, dart with others
(A bald-eagle doesn't show up well on a light shirt - add a background!)
Colors interact. (Yellow on a blue shirt may have a greenish tint)
Keep enough thickness in lines so they print properly
Lettering and fine detail can get lost if too thin or small
Use trial & error. Print. evaluate, adjust colors/design, reprint
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o Iron-on method - Many Ink-jet printer manufacturers also sell iron-on transfer
paper. You print onto the transfer paper, cut out the image, iron onto your
shirt or whatever. Canon, Epson, HP, Lexmark, Xerox...all work. Even older
printers at 300+ dot per inch can be used successfully. Supplies such as ink
cartridges and transfer paper can be ordered from the manufacturer or picked up
at computer or office stores (ComputerCity, BestBuys, OfficeMax, Staples.
There are generic transfer papers and printer-specific papers. Be sure the
paper is intended for your printer's inks... (ink formulations vary)
o Select your shirts. Light colors are good for iron-on inks. The transfer
paper will give good instructions and recommendations for the entire process.
o Prepare your computer image. Many ink-jet printers now come with a CD-ROM
of clipart as well as graphic design software "for T-shirt design". The key
is to be able to make a mirror image if your design includes text. You can
really use any computer tool(s) that help you put together the image. I use
Word, Excel, Powerpoint, PAINT, Lview, and who knows what else. A scanner
can be used to capture photos...or kids artwork.
(Lview is available on Internet, and can mirror image... and a lot more)
o Print your design on plain paper. Better yet, manipulate the computer
graphics to print a full sheet with multiple images, if each is less than
a full sheet. (maximize your use of the printable area)
Examine for inaccuracies. Touch up 'thin' areas.
Experiment with resolution. 360x360 will print much faster than 1440x1440!
o Print onto the transfer paper. I boost the saturation (amount of ink).
o Follow the transfer paper manufacturer's instructions on printing and
followup. (I pre-washed the shirts, ironed on HOT HOT, vinager soaked, washed)
If the colors aren't what you expected, adjust and try again.
Two of us printed front logos and 1/2 sheet backside scenes on 24 shirts
in about 6 hours one evening. The printing time slowed us down.
o Iron-on transfers *may* be less durable than screen, block, or embroidered
designs, but, kids grow, more events come along. I've seen iron-on designs
survive 2-3 years before out grown. (What's the lifetime of a shirt anyway?)
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o Screen method. A fine mesh silk is streached onto a frame. The mesh is
coated with a wet emulsion to 'clog the mesh'. The design is placed onto
the mesh (cut-outs or possibly a transparency printed in black). Bright light
(sunlight or U.V. lamp) is used to harden the emulsion. The pattern ares where
the light is blocked don't harden. The soft emulsion is rinsed off the mesh.
o Be sure the frame is larger than the pattern. 2-4 or more inches/side.
o Screen-print ink is applied to the hardened emulsion all across one edge
o Place the frame into position on the shirt.
o A squeege is used to draw the ink across the mesh openings, thus forcing inks
onto the t-shirt below.
o A base board (sheet of plywood) and hinges really help.
o Lift up the frame
o Position the T-shirt, smooth all wrinkles
o Lower the frame onto the shirt
o Add inks (if needed)
o Squeege ink across the pattern
o Lift frame, remove shirt - hang to dry
o Additional colors may be used with additional screens, but alignment is
difficult without a professional setup.
o Interesting effects can be produced with mixed colors on a single screen...
o A variation uses window screening in a frame, tape, and spray paint
More (accurate) info is available in the Library, at local art supply stores,
and even local screen print shops. A print shop may even work with your kids
to help them learn how!
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o Block printing method. Potatos, carrots, other large vegetables (Turnips?)
can be sliced to yeald a smooth flat surface. Cut your design in. Spread your
inks onto a sheet of glass, ink the pattern with a brayer, press the pattern
onto your t-shirt. Hang up to dry.
o A variation uses a linoliem block. I still send out holiday cards printed
from the linolium block I carved when I was a lad... over 30 years ago.
o Block printing is generally single-color per block pressing, but you can get
interesting effects if you mix colors!
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Embroidery - Most embroidery shops can take a computer image and work with it,
whether for clothing or patch embroidery. Embroidery machines are limited by
the number of colors(threads) they can run. Typically 5 or 7 on patches.
The patch for our district Cub-O-Ree several years ago was designed by an Eagle
scout now attending an art college. He rendered several 8.5x11" colored pencil
ideas, we discussed, he produced a couple more. COLOR photocopies were made at
a local shop, they were shipped to the patch embroidery company, which did an
excellent job of converting the concept into 7-color patches. A local print
shop that works closely with scouts produced AMAZING results with their 4-color
screen print setup. Kinda neat for the patches and the event T-shirts to match.
(I framed the final artwork and a patch, wrapped with a T-shirt, and presented
it to the Eagle scout that did the artwork. It was part of his portfolio he
took to Art college)
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Crayon - One of our Day Camps had an outline of a pattern on all the kid's
shirts. They were supposed to color them themselves with the special crayons
provided, then, the colored shirt was supposed to be IRONED (wax paper between
shirt and iron) to set the colors. I don't know any more specifics on this.
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Tie-dye - Can't say I remember how, though I do remember the '60's <grin>.
Experiment and have fun. (My fingers are tired of tying)
Nate Mann
ASM T40 Venture Scouting
Louisville, Ky
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