See a larger image

Scrap Girls Iron-On Patterns - Download yours here!

Want a fun T-Shirt, bag, mousepad, cap, jacket, or backpack to tell the world that you are a dedicated scrapper? Use one of Scrap Girls’ free Iron-On patterns and make one yourself! All it takes is a printer, an iron, and Iron-On Transfer paper, which you can purchase in office supply stores.

Printing iron-on artwork

• In your photo-imaging software or office software (such as MS Word), flip your picture or design around to a mirror image. Look for the option to Flip Horizontally or Mirror Image. Maybe your software even has a Wizard feature for easily creating iron-on transfers. It’s important to flip the picture, or the image and words will come out backwards when you iron it on the surface. If you need more help with this, Scrapbook Secrets Revealed, MS Word (available for sale in the Scrap Girls Boutique) includes a tutorial on how to set up a mirror image in MS Word.
• Do a test print out of your image on paper. If you are putting it on a T-Shirt, hold it up to a mirror to see how it will look.
• Print out the image onto the iron-on transfer sheet with your ink-jet printer, following the directions that come with the transfers. Each brand may have slightly different directions. (Please don’t use a laser printer or a printer that heats the paper, as they melt the transfer paper and your printer could be damaged!)
• Cut out your design from the transfer sheet using sharp scissors, leaving about a 1/4-inch edge around the image. Be careful not to cut into the design itself, or it may bleed in the wash.

Ironing your transfers

Fabric tips:

For the best results be sure to choose the right fabric. You will want to use a light-colored fabric (such as white or cream). High-quality, 100-percent cotton is very good for transfers. You don’t have to pre-wash the item before you iron on the transfer.

Ironing tips:

The heat selection, ironing surface, and ironing technique can affect your outcome.

• Make sure that your iron is hot (the Cotton setting works well) and that you aren’t using the Steam feature. In fact, it is best to empty out any water that may be in your iron before starting.
• Select something hard and flat that won’t be damaged by heat to use as your ironing surface. Countertops, workbenches, floors, and other surfaces like this work well. Your ironing board won’t work well, because it is cushioned. Cover your surface with a smooth pillowcase.
• Place the transfer image-side down on the fabric that you want it to transfer to.
• Begin ironing at one corner of the paper and then make circles over the image, making absolutely sure that you thoroughly iron all of the areas of the image. The manufacturer of your transfer paper will have good recommendations about how long you should do this.
• Don’t iron TOO long or you could melt the image into the fabric, burn the fabric, or have other unhappy results!
• Wait for the transfer backing to cool completely and then carefully peel it off.

Taking care of your item

• The first time you wash your item, turn it inside out and use the gentle cycle, cold water, and no detergent during the first wash cycle. During the second wash cycle , wash it inside out, with cold water, and use detergent (no bleach). Dry it on a low-heat setting.
• For future cleanings, wash it with cold water and a color-safe detergent