How To get started Printing T-Shirts
It really is as Easy as 1-2-3
Things you will need
A dedicated eco tank Printer
Sublimation Ink and Regular ink are very different and you can not switch back and forth.
- Printer, Low End is all you need $200.00
- Sublimation Ink $20.00
- Sublimation Paper $20.00
- Heat Tape $6.00
- T Shirt Press (Iron) $80.00
- T Shirts 5 pack $20.00
T Shirt Press must be used. A regular household Iron does not get hot enough.
Once you have these items, the printing of a T Shirt is very easy to do.
The model of Epson printer I have is no longer available on Amazon. It has been a couple of years. But I have been very happy with it. The heat press I have is very similar to this one. The paper, heat tape and POLYESTER T Shirts. I have purchased more than once. I am pretty certain Hippo is the brand of sublimation Ink I bought.
If I had the money I would buy a nicer Heat Press. A table top model that locks in place.
If you go to Epson.com sometimes they have some good deals on last years models.
Warning: When you get your eco tank printer DO NOT PUT IN THE REGULAR INK THAT COMES WITH IT.
These links are to Amazon. I do not have affiliate links on my site.
$179.00 EpsonPrinter https://a.co/d/00Hrc34l
$159.00 Canon Printer https://a.co/d/0hFLWYMJ
Paper https://a.co/d/068zqz09
Heat Tape https://a.co/d/08m6Q1bB
Shirts https://a.co/d/001qmA2A
Heat Press https://a.co/d/0ieIIN1Q
Now you are ready to make a T Shirt
1 – Print on Sublimation paper
2 – Tape the printed paper onto the T shirt
3 – Press (and hold steady) the Heat Press down on the shirt for 60 seconds at 385°
And that is it.
- T Shirt $4.25
- Ink 20¢
- Paper 20¢
So for less than $5 Dollars you have a Nice Gift for your BFF
Make Sure you change your settings to -Plain Paper HIGH quality- which works fine for me.
Many YouTubers say to use Matte Finish with High. And you MUST set to MIRROR if you are printing on a T Shirt.
Cotton Cotton who’s Got the Cotton
If you want to print on Cotton / Black T Shirts, it will cost a couple of dollars more per shirt. https://a.co/d/0bL3V8GE
Try this HTVRONT Sublimation HTV for Dark Fabric/Light Fabric – 20 Pack Matte Sublimation Vinyl – Sublimation Blanks
You will also want to get a craft vinyl cutter such as Cricut, Silhouette Cameo, Brother ScanNCut, Roland, Graphtec, etc…
If you want Black Polyester check out Jennifers video Here
Want to Make Some Stickers?
Hey I just got my first Cricut. So if you make Stickers I made some for you to print.
This is the PNG file for a full sheet. I used Printable Sticker with More Pressure setting to cut these out with my Cricut. But you can just print them on Shipping Label paper and cut them out with Scissors.
https://truthsoso.fun/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/No-Kings-SHEET-1.png
Here is a Template you can use. Resize the Width to 7.43 and Height to 9.93 inches after you add it to your canvas/project.
DIY is so much Fun to make gifts for friends and family.
Google AI Quote:
Sublimation ghosting on T-shirts, appearing as blurry or doubled images, is primarily caused by the transfer paper shifting while the ink is still in a gaseous state. This happens when removing the paper too quickly, the paper lifting during press opening, or excessive moisture in the fabric. Securely taping the paper with heat-resistant tape and allowing the garment to cool before removing the paper prevents it.