HOW TO PUT A PICTURE ON A SHIRT: POD AND DIY METHODS

Whether you're looking for an affordable way to create a custom shirt for yourself or want to sell personalized t-shirts online, there are several printing methods to add a picture to a shirt. In this article, we'll walk you through the options.

Learn how to print an image on a shirt from home, choose the best printing technique for your needs, and discover some creative DIY t-shirt printing methods.

How to Put a Picture on a Shirt at Home Without Equipment

No printer at home? No problem! You can easily add a high-quality print to a shirt using Print on Demand (POD).

POD is a fulfillment method where products are created as orders come in. Simply design your t-shirt with your picture, and the POD service will print and ship it directly to you.

Let’s go over the easy steps to print a picture on a shirt from home!

Step 1: Choose the Right Shirt

It all begins with selecting the shirt that your image will be printed on, and there are many options available. You can choose from various fabrics, colors, and even decide on the printing method.

Let's take a look at some key factors to keep in mind.

Printing Method

Printify’s product catalog offers several printing methods, including direct-to-garment (DTG) printing, all-over printing (AOP) or sublimation, and direct-to-film (DTF) printing.

For adding a single picture to a t-shirt, the best options are either DTG or DTF printing.

DTG works best with cotton or cotton-blend shirts, while DTF is versatile and works well with various materials, often used for activewear. We’ll dive deeper into both options later in the article.

T-Shirt Color

Think about which shirt color will complement your image best.

If your image has bold, vibrant colors or darker details, light-colored shirts are a great choice. For images with softer tones or subtle hues, dark-colored shirts will work better.

Having a strong contrast between the image and shirt color helps the design pop, but feel free to experiment with different shades to achieve the best effect.

T-Shirt Fabric

When choosing the fabric, consider comfort, durability, and cost.

Is the shirt intended for casual wear or workouts? Which printing method do you plan to use? How much are you willing to spend? Answering these questions will guide you to the right fabric choice for your design and needs.

Check out our detailed t-shirt fabric guide for more insights on selecting the best fabric.

Step 2: Prepare Your T-Shirt Design File

To ensure your print looks sharp and vibrant on the shirt, use a high-quality, high-resolution image file. Printify accepts JPEG, PNG, and SVG formats for your designs. Each t-shirt has its own specific file requirements, so be sure to check those.

If you need to tweak your image, there are many free or affordable photo editing tools available, such as Canva, GIMP, Fotor, or Pixlr.

For the best results, check out our comprehensive design guide to help you optimize your designs.

Step 3: Upload Your Design to the Shirt

Step 4: Order Your Custom Shirt

Step 5: Publish and Begin Selling

Which T-Shirt Printing Method Should You Choose?

There are various methods to transfer your design onto a shirt, but some are more efficient than others. Let’s explore some of the most popular apparel printing techniques.

Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing

A DTG (Direct-to-Garment) printer works similarly to a regular office printer, using modified inkjet technology to apply water-based inks directly onto apparel. This method delivers high-quality, detailed prints and has a shorter setup time compared to other techniques, like screen printing.

Why Choose DTG Printing?

• Durable Designs: This method transfers visuals directly onto the fabric, ensuring the design bonds well with the material and offers a smooth finish.
• Time Efficiency: DTG printing doesn’t require additional steps, as the printer applies the image directly to the fabric.
• No Order Limits: Whether you need one shirt or hundreds, there are no minimum order requirements.

Direct-to-Film (DTF) Printing

DTF printing uses a heat-press method to transfer your design onto the shirt with the help of a special film and powder. Although it involves more steps than DTG printing, DTF ensures that the transferred image looks fantastic on the fabric.

Why Choose DTF Printing?

• Works on Any Fabric: While DTG is ideal for cotton, DTF printing can be used on a wide range of materials, making it a versatile option for various t-shirt types.
• Vibrant Prints: DTF printing produces vivid colors that don’t penetrate the fabric fibers, ensuring long-lasting, eye-catching designs.

Other Popular Printing Techniques

Screen Printing

A widely-used stencil-based method where ink is applied to fabric through a mesh screen. It’s known for its durability and high-quality results, especially with simple designs.

All-Over Printing or Dye Sublimation

This method involves digitally printing images onto special heat transfer paper, which is then used to transfer the designs onto the fabric using heat. It’s perfect for covering the entire shirt with a vibrant print.

When choosing a printing method for your custom shirt, consider factors like design quality, material limitations, durability, and cost.

How to Put a Picture on a Shirt: DIY Methods

There are several effective ways to transfer pictures onto t-shirts at home. Some methods require more equipment than others, but you can still achieve great results using regular printer paper.

Let’s explore three popular DIY techniques for transferring images onto fabric.

Iron-On Transfers with Transfer Paper

Iron-on transfers allow you to create custom t-shirts at home with just a few simple supplies: an inkjet printer, transfer paper, and an iron.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

1. Get the Right Transfer Paper
You can find transfer paper at most craft, office supply, or stationery stores.

• For light-colored shirts, use light transfer paper.
• For dark-colored shirts, choose transfer paper specifically designed for dark fabrics.

2. Print Your Design
Once your design is ready, print it on the transfer paper using a regular inkjet printer.

• Make sure to check if you need to print your design as a mirror image, especially if it contains text. Light transfer paper typically requires printing face down, while dark transfer paper should be printed face up.

3. Cut Out the Image
After printing, carefully cut around the design to remove any excess transfer paper before ironing it onto the shirt.

4. Iron on the Design
Follow the ironing instructions included with the transfer paper. If there aren’t any, set your iron to the highest temperature for the fabric you’re using, ensuring it’s set for dry ironing without steam.

• Lay the shirt flat and smooth out any wrinkles.
• Position the transfer paper with the design on the shirt, ensuring it’s straight and aligned.
• Apply the hot iron evenly and press for the recommended amount of time, applying consistent pressure.

5. Let the Shirt Cool and Peel Off the Paper
Allow the shirt to cool for a few minutes. Once it’s cool to the touch, gently peel off the paper, and your custom t-shirt is ready!

Parchment Paper Transfer with Plastic Wrap

If you don’t want to use transfer paper, this simple DIY method could be the perfect solution. Even without a printer or heat press, you can still create unique designs using magazine cut-outs.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Find and Print Your Design
Unlike the transfer paper method, you can print your design on regular printer paper. If you don’t have a printer, you can also cut out an image from a magazine.

2. Cover the Image in Plastic Wrap
Carefully cut around the image, leaving little to no space around the edges, and cover the image with cling wrap. Fold any excess wrap over the back of the image.

3. Place the Image on the Shirt and Cover with Parchment Paper
For easier ironing, you can place a fabric under the shirt. Lay the shirt flat on a hard surface, ensuring it’s wrinkle-free. Then, place the wrapped image on the shirt and cover it with a sheet of parchment paper.

4. Iron Over the Image
Heat up your iron and press it down on the image. Apply even pressure, making sure to iron around all edges to transfer the design.

Once the shirt has cooled for a few minutes, carefully remove the parchment paper, and your custom shirt is ready to wear!

Cricut™ Machine Transfers

If you’re looking to create professional-looking tees at home, learning how to put a picture on a shirt with Cricut™ could be the perfect solution.

A Cricut™ machine allows you to craft intricate designs and cut out images with precise detail. However, you'll need to invest in or borrow the cutting machine to get started.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Heat transfer vinyl
• A t-shirt
• Cricut Maker® or Cricut Explore® cutting machine
• A StandardGrip Mat
• Cricut EasyPress® or a regular iron
• A weeding tool

Start by designing and adjusting your image in Cricut Design Space. Once your design is ready, place the heat transfer vinyl on the mat and load it into the machine to cut your image. After cutting, use the weeding tool to remove any excess vinyl.

Position the design onto your t-shirt and apply heat using the Cricut EasyPress® or a regular iron. Avoid washing the shirt for at least 24 hours to ensure the design sticks.

For more detailed instructions, check out our full guide on how to make t-shirts with Cricut™.

If you prefer a simpler or more cost-effective method, there are other ways to create custom tees that don’t require cutting machines or printers.