To use transfer paper, print your design on the coated side with an inkjet printer, trim it, then iron or heat press it onto the shirt and peel the backing. The big detail is which paper you have. Light paper needs a mirrored image. Dark paper usually doesn't.
- Printer
- Inkjet, usually
- Light paper
- Mirror the image
- Dark paper
- Print as is
- Steam
- Always off
Light vs dark heat transfer paper
Iron on transfer paper comes in two types, and they work in opposite ways.
| Light paper | Dark paper | |
|---|---|---|
| For shirts | White and light colors | Any color |
| Mirror image? | Yes | Usually no |
| Placement | Face down | Face up, backing removed |
| Whites in design | Show as shirt color | Print white |
Light paper is a clear coating. Anything white in your design turns transparent, so the shirt color shows through. That's why it only works on white or light shirts.
Dark paper has an opaque white layer. Your design sits on top of that white, so it shows on black and colored shirts. Because you place it face up, the image isn't flipped.
Brands differ, so always read the instructions in the pack. They override any general guide, including this one.
How to use transfer paper, step by step
- Prep the design. For light paper, mirror the image in your print settings or design app. Text should read backwards on screen. For dark paper, print it the right way round unless your pack says otherwise.
- Print on the coated side. Use the paper setting your pack recommends. Let the ink dry for a few minutes before you touch it.
- Trim it. Cut close to the design. Any coating you leave around the art transfers too and shows as a visible box or film.
- Prep the shirt. Iron or press the area for a few seconds to remove wrinkles and moisture.
- Place the transfer. Light paper goes face down on the shirt. For dark paper, peel the backing off first, then place it face up and cover it with the parchment sheet that comes in most packs.
- Iron or press. With an iron, use the cotton setting with steam off, on a hard flat surface, not an ironing board. Press firmly and cover the whole design, especially the edges. With a heat press, use the time and temperature printed on the pack.
- Peel. Light paper is peeled hot or after cooling depending on the brand. Peel slowly. If an edge lifts, lay it back down and press again.
Care for iron on transfer paper prints
- Wait before washing. Most packs say at least 24 hours.
- Wash inside out in cold water. Less rubbing on the print.
- Skip bleach and high heat. Hang dry if you can.
- Don't iron the print. Iron the shirt inside out if you need to.
Expect some fading and cracking over time. Paper transfers sit on top of the fabric as a coated layer, so they wear faster than prints that bond into it.
Where DTF beats transfer paper
Transfer paper is cheap and you can do it at home tonight. That's its real advantage. Here's where it falls short:
- No box around the design. A DTF transfer is only ink and adhesive, with no clear coating around the art. You don't trim anything.
- Dark shirts look like a print, not a patch. Dark paper can feel like a sticker on the shirt. DTF prints a white underbase only where the design is.
- Durability. Pressed DTF usually outlasts inkjet paper by a wide margin.
- Fine detail. No hand trimming means thin lines and small text survive.
We break down the differences in more detail in DTF film vs transfer paper. If you have an iron and no press, DTF still works. See how to apply DTF transfers with an iron.
FAQ
Do you mirror the image on transfer paper?
On light transfer paper, yes. On dark transfer paper, usually no, because it goes face up. Check your pack to be sure.
Can I use a laser printer on iron on transfer paper?
Only if the paper says it's made for laser printers. Most home transfer paper is inkjet only.
Why does my transfer paper leave a box around the design?
The coating covers the whole sheet, so anything you don't trim away transfers. Cut close to the art.
Is DTF better than transfer paper?
For durability, dark shirts and detail, yes. For a one-off craft project with what you already have at home, paper is fine.
Skip the trimming
Send us your art and we'll print it as ready to press DTF, for as low as $0.03 per square inch with no minimums.