The Best Transfer Paper for Decals and Fabric
Whether you're planning a bachelorette party, a family reunion, or an extra special birthday present, heat transfer paper is a great way to create personalized textiles. With the help of some graphic design skills and your inkjet home printer, you can mock up designs to iron onto everything from pillows and reusable bags to T-shirts and hats. If you're already a heat transfer pro, you know that good quality paper can be hard to come by, which is why we've rounded up some of the best heat-transfer paper on the market. Check out our list below to find out what you need to start dabbling in apparel design.
What to Look For
While you search for your next pack of transfer paper, consider a few important questions: What kind of fabrics will you be working with? Will you be transferring onto light textiles, dark textiles, or both? And how much are you willing to spend? Those questions helped serve as our own criteria as we highlighted a few of our own favorite transfer papers for decals and fabric. For example, we love just about anything that comes from NuFun Activities, and their transfer paper is no exception. That’s why we included two bundles from them: a pack of transfer paper for dark fabrics, and a combination pack of transfer paper suited for both light and dark fabrics. But as much as we love NuFun Activities, we have to admit that Printers Jack is probably the best option when it comes to longevity and durability. Read on and we’ll tell you more.
NuFun Activities Inkjet Heat Transfer Paper for Dark Fabrics
Full steam ahead
It’s all in the name with this five-pack of heat transfer paper from NuFun Activities. Each sheet is compatible with both inkjet and laserjet printers, which is a rarity when it comes to transfer paper. If you’re a personalized decal pro, feel free to use your die-cutting machine and heat press on these sheets. First-time designers are also welcome to use more standard cutters (i.e., scissors and X-Acto knives) and a regular clothing iron. And with clearly written instructions, this pack of paper makes transferring images a cinch.
Pros:
- Compatible with both inkjet and laserjet printers
- Instructions are straightforward, even for beginners
- Offered in a number of different value packs to suit your designing needs
- Can be used on cotton, poly blends, burlap, canvas, ribbon, and more
Cons:
- Image quality may be thinner than you’re used to
PPD Inkjet White and Light Color T-Shirt Transfer Paper
Practical printing paper
Though “practical” isn’t anywhere to be found in PPD’s full name — Photo Paper Direct — it might as well be. This 10-pack of transfer paper for white and light-colored fabrics is designed for use with both dye-based and pigmented inkjet inks. Instead of leaving a white background, each sheet is specially formulated to create a clear background for a cleaner, more professional look. Once printed, the images stretch with the T-shirt rather than bunching up or pulling, and they’ll easily withstand a cool-wash cycle. Refer to PPD’s incredibly clear written instructions or the video tutorial for a seamless transfer.
Pros:
- Works with both dye-based and pigmented inkjet inks
- Specially formulated clear background
- Designed to be cut with regular scissors
- Detailed instructions and video tutorial
Cons:
- Clear background may show up dark or cloudy on some fabric colors
- Only designed for fabrics that can be ironed at maximum temperature (i.e., not polyester or nylon)
Avery Printable T-Shirt Transfers for Dark Fabrics
Light up the darkness
Don’t be thrown off too much by the jump in cost with these Avery T-shirt transfers; they come in a 30-pack that’ll accommodate personalized shirts for the whole extended family. You also won’t have to download or pay for a design app, either, thanks to Avery’s easy-to-use website with customizable templates. Just hop on their website, mock up a design, print, and cut. The final product is a shirt, bag, hat, or pillowcase that’s stretchy, fully machine-washable, and fade-resistant.
Pros:
- Value pack of 30 sheets for a high-volume project
- Free and customizable templates on the Avery website for graphic design help
- Fade-resistant for at least 20 washes
Cons:
- Ink may bleed on the transfer paper if printer settings aren’t properly adjusted
Printers Jack Heat Transfer Paper for Dark Fabric
Going the distance
Heat transfer pros will know to hang-dry their personalized apparel, but we’re all human. Even seasoned designers can forget to pull shirts or hats from their washing load. It’s comforting to know that fabrics printed with these heat transfer papers from Printers Jack can take multiple trips through the dryer without losing their color or consistency. You’ll have to use an inkjet printer with pigment ink for these papers, but they’re compatible with all types of cutters, clothing irons, and heat presses.
Pros:
- Final product is fully machine-washable and dryer-friendly
- Very affordable value pack of 20 sheets
- Designed for use on fabrics with 60% or more cotton
Cons:
- Only works with pigmented ink printers
NuFun Activities Inkjet Heat Transfer Paper Light and Dark Combo Pack
Yin and yang
If you’re tired of buying different transfer papers for light and dark fabrics, check out this combo pack from NuFun Activities. With 25 sheets for light and dark fabrics each, this deal is a steal for frequent designers who like to switch it up. The brand promises compatibility with a huge range of fabrics so that your projects aren’t limited to cotton-based textiles.
Pros:
- Combo pack of papers for light and dark fabrics
- Compatible with a range of fabrics from cotton to tissue paper
- Irons on quickly
Cons:
- Directions can be confusing since they’re different for light and dark paper
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to “mirror” print my image on the transfer paper?
This depends entirely on what kind of transfer paper you’re using. While most traditional transfer paper requires you to mirror print (i.e., print a reflected image of) your design, this isn’t the case for all paper. Some companies have taken this step out to simplify the process. Be sure to read each set of instructions carefully since they vary by brand.
How do I ensure the highest quality print?
The cardinal rule for heat transfer apparel design is that your print is only as good as your printer. Even high-quality images can lose sharpness and color if not printed well. It’s also important to carefully adjust your printer’s settings based on the instructions for your specific transfer paper depending on its finish (e.g., glossy or matte).
About the Author
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