How to Make a Homemade Band T Shirt

Band T-shirts are great for casual, everyday fashion, but they can be expensive! If you love wearing band T-shirts, but don’t love the price tag, then you might want to try making some band T-shirts of your own. A common way to do this is using an iron-on transfer, but photo transfer liquid is an easier, less expensive option. Or, if you want something with more of a homemade or artsy feel to it, then you might try stenciling a shirt with a band logo, or even painting a shirt free-hand. For any of these options, you’ll need a blank T-shirt in your desired color and size.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Using Photo Transfer Liquid

1. Print a design and cut it out. You can use photo transfer liquid with any printed image you like. Simply print out a band logo, image, or lyrics. You can print your image and text in color or in black and white. After you print out your logo or image, cut it out with a sharp pair of scissors.^[1]
   
   • If the logo features text in it, then you will need to reverse the text to ensure that your words don’t show up backwards on the shirt.
   • If you’re making a logo for your band, then create it using photoshop or another software program.
2. Use a sponge brush to paint the photo transfer liquid onto the image. Place the image right-side up on a piece of old newspaper or cardboard. Then, use a sponge brush to completely cover the image with the photo transfer liquid. Dip the brush into the liquid and then sweep the liquid back and forth over the image.^[2]
   
   • The photo transfer liquid should be thick enough that you cannot see the image through it.
   • You can purchase photo transfer liquid and a sponge brush at a craft supply store. The 2 items should cost less than $10 (USD) and you can use them again and again to make more band T-shirts.
3. Press the image onto your T-shirt. Turn the image so that the photo transfer liquid side is facing down and press it onto your T-shirt where you want it to go. You could apply it on the front of your shirt, on the back, or even on a sleeve.^[3]
   
   • Depending on the size of the image you are transferring, you can center the design on the front or back, or put it off to one side for a little variation.
4. Let the image dry overnight or until it is completely dry. It’s important to wait until the photo transfer liquid is completely dry before you do anything else with it. Leave it in a safe place to dry overnight or for at least 8 hours.^[4]
   
   • Make sure that the shirt won’t be disturbed by pets or small children. For example, you might want to put the item up on a high shelf or in a closed room.
   • Try aiming a fan at the shirt to help speed up the drying process.
5. Use a wet sponge to moisten and scrape off the paper. After your design is totally dry, moisten a clean sponge with water and begin dabbing at the top layer of paper on the design. Moisten the entire area with water and then gently start to rub away the top layer of paper. It should come off easily and reveal your image.^[5]
   
   • After you remove the paper layer, your homemade band T-shirt is ready to wear!
   • Keep in mind that the image will not be as dark as the one you printed. However, it should still be visible after you wipe away the top layer of paper.
   • When the shirt needs to be washed, wash the shirt inside out on the delicate cycle and hang it to dry to preserve the image.

[Edit]Creating a Stencil Band T-Shirt

1. Purchase a stencil or create your own stencil to design your shirt. If you want to create a stencil freehand, draw or trace a design or logo onto a piece of thick paper. Or, you can print out the image, logo, or text that you want to stencil onto your shirt and cut out the design with an X-acto knife.^[6]
   
   • For example, you could purchase a stencil of the band’s official logo to use for making T-shirts, or you could print off an image of the band’s official logo to make into your own stencil.
   • If you cut out the design yourself, go slowly and cut right along the outside of the design to get a crisp stencil design.
2. Place the stencil onto a T-shirt and tape it in place. Position the stencil on the T-shirt where you want it to go. Then, apply masking tape to the edges of the stencil to hold it on the T-shirt. You may also want to place some old newspaper around the edges of the stencil to avoid getting paint onto other areas of the shirt.^[7]
   
   • You can position the stencil in the center of your shirt, or slightly off to one side or corner.
3. Fill in the stencil with fabric paint or spray paint. Select the paint color or colors you want to use. If you will be using liquid paint, dip a sponge brush into your fabric paint and dab it onto the stencil to fill it in. If you are using a fabric spray paint, then spray it onto the stencil using a back and forth sweeping motion. Apply 2 coats of either kind of paint to ensure good coverage.^[8]
   
   • Avoid applying too much paint or it may seep out around the edges of your stencil.
4. Let the paint dry overnight or for at least 8 hours. The paint might be dry within a few hours, but it is best to let it dry for at least 8 hours to be sure. Do not wear or wash the shirt until the paint is completely dry.
   
   • When the paint is still wet, it will feel tacky to the touch. Although it’s best not to touch the paint until it is totally dry, you can check the paint by touching it after a few hours if you can’t wait to wear your shirt.
   • To preserve your shirt, wash it inside out on the delicate cycle and hang it up to dry.

[Edit]Painting Your Shirt Free-Hand

1. Choose a logo or lyrics that you want to add onto the shirt. You can free-hand paint anything that you want to add on your shirt. Look at band logos, images, and lyrics and select something that you can realistically paint on your shirt. Make sure to consider your artistic abilities and time.^[9]
   
   • For example, if you want something simple, then you might choose a favorite line or verse from a song and simply write this on your shirt.
   • If you want to try something more advanced, then you could try painting a portrait of one of the band members on the shirt.
2. Outline the image in pencil on the shirt. Before you delve into painting, create an outline on the shirt using pencil. This will make it easier for you to check the positioning and fill in your design before you make it permanent.^[10]
   
   • For example, if you are writing lyrics on the shirt, write them on the shirt with pencil where you want them to go.
   • If you are painting a portrait of a band member, then draw a basic sketch of the person on the shirt first.
3. Fill in the outline with fabric paint. After you have your outline, get out the color or colors of fabric paint that you want to use. Dip your brush into the first paint and paint along the edges of the outline. Then, fill in the image with the other colors you want to use.^[11]
   
   • For example, you could outline your text with black or white, and then fill it in with the same or a different color.
   • If you’re creating a portrait, then you might outline it with a flesh tone and then fill in the image with other colors to add detail.
4. Wait at least 8 hours for the fabric paint to dry before you wear the shirt. It’s best to leave your painted shirt to dry overnight or for at least 8 hours. Set it somewhere that it will not be disturbed by pets or small children, such as up on a high shelf or in a closed room.
   
   • When your shirt is completely dry, it is ready to wear!
   • Wash the shirt on the delicate cycle turned inside out and hang it up to dry.

[Edit]Tips

• A 100% cotton T-shirt works best, and lighter colored T-shirts display printed logos better than darker ones.
• If using the stencil method, think about painting a little sloppily along the outer edge of the stencil for a cool graffiti effect.

[Edit]Warnings

• Use caution when using an X-acto knife. They are very sharp.
• Be aware that band names and logos are copyrighted, so using them with intent to sell is unethical and may land you in legal trouble.

[Edit]Things You'll Need

[Edit]Using Photo Transfer Liquid

• A blank T-shirt
• Printed design
• Photo transfer liquid
• Sponge paintbrush
• Sponge

[Edit]Creating a Stencil Shirt

• Blank T-shirt
• X-Acto knife
• Masking tape
• Old newspapers
• Fabric paint and a sponge paintbrush or fabric spray paint

[Edit]Painting Your Shirt Free-Hand

• A blank T-shirt
• Pencil
• Fabric paint
• Paintbrushes

[Edit]References

1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-b5HFxeY7E&feature=youtu.be&t=84
2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-b5HFxeY7E&feature=youtu.be&t=104
3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-b5HFxeY7E&feature=youtu.be&t=112
4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-b5HFxeY7E&feature=youtu.be&t=117
5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-b5HFxeY7E&feature=youtu.be&t=124
6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vG5v_LUWKds&feature=youtu.be&t=10
7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vG5v_LUWKds&feature=youtu.be&t=83
8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vG5v_LUWKds&feature=youtu.be&t=93
9. ↑ https://www.frontrunnermagazine.com/im-with-the-band-10-diy-ways-to-make-a-band-t-shirt/
10. ↑ https://www.frontrunnermagazine.com/im-with-the-band-10-diy-ways-to-make-a-band-t-shirt/
11. ↑ https://www.frontrunnermagazine.com/im-with-the-band-10-diy-ways-to-make-a-band-t-shirt/