Using Light Inkjet Heat Transfer Paper is a great and affordable way of bringing full color images onto white or light-colored garments. This specially-formulated transfer paper works with the white or light colors of your garment to produce amazing, full-color results. Many light inkjet transfer papers produce vibrant results that feel soft when transferred, but are durable enough to handle washing and stretching with minimal fading or cracking.
Inkjet transfer papers are designed to work with most home or office inkjet printers (We recommend the Canon Pixma iX6820). You can print the full page, if you like. If not, any un-printed areas will have to be trimmed away. This can be done with scissors or an Xacto knife, but is most easily and precisely done with a vinyl cutter that has a contour cutting feature (sometimes called "print & cut"). Due to the nature of light heat transfer paper, mirroring the image before printing is required.
For tutorials on how to contour cut an image with your vinyl cutter, please check out this video playlist on our HPN YouTube channel.
After cutting and trimming the printed transfer, we can begin setting up the heat press. We recommend a quality press, like the HPN Signature Series 15" x 15" Auto-Open Heat Press. Firm pressure is ideal for most inkjet transfer papers. However, all settings - including time & temperature - should be to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Before pressing your transfer, preheat the garment to smooth out any wrinkles and remove any moisture in the garment. Place the transfer facing down on the garment. Place a cover sheet (HPN Pro Grade Non-Stick Sheet or Parchment Paper) and press. When the press is done, remove the cover sheet and gently stretch the transfer area of your garment. Peel off the protective layer off the transfer and your transfer is complete! For best results, allow the transfer to completely cool on a flat surface, as the transfer is still pliable when warm.
