Do you want to save money and make your kids happy?

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Do you want to spruce up that plain t shirt that you just bought? Or do you have a teenager that has to wear that extra special, unique graphic tee? Design t-shirts and save money.

If you look online the price of an average graphic tee runs $20 on the low end to $35 plus on the higher end. With that in mind I have to deal with the above mentioned scenario many times throughout the year.  T-shirt shopping as a dad with several daughters is my nightmare scenario.

Don’t get me wrong I love spending time with them.  That doesn’t include shopping!  I have three daughters and clothing all three of them can get down right expensive.  Just  to remind you that  all three of them are carriers of the dreaded dreaded teen age affliction teenageitis. (teenage years)  So I have had to get creative to solve this little expensive problem in our home.  We were going to design t-shirts.

Design time

Two of my younger daughters came to me and wanted matching shirts of a certain design. At first I couldn’t believe that they actually wanted to own matching shirts. They are teenagers after all. Yes they are sisters and actually have those “ahhhhhh” moments when they get along. But they are teenagers after all. So to put it nicely they do get in to disagreements!!!! So my astonishment at their request has reason to exist. My daughter’s had an existing idea for a shirt that you can see here.  They were one step ahead of me this time. I guess they knew what I was going to say.

Heat transfer vinyl to the rescue again. This time my daughters had already came up with the design that they wanted to put on their matching shirts. This little bit of preparation on their part saved me a ton of time and a massive headache.Sitting with them at the computer to design something is like waiting in the dentist office for an appointment to have a tooth pulled. You know its going to be painful but in the end after recovery time it will be worth it. After all is said and done I’d do anything for my family.

Time to Design t-shirts 

Like I’ve mentioned in previous posts. I use CorelDraw for my vector design program.     It is easy to use for the basic designs but it can also do so much more. It has so much involved in it that the above average designer will like it.

In the JFC house we use the Cricut.  To get a great deal on the new Cricut maker go here!  The Cricut design space is an online software program used in tandem with the Cricut. I create all of my designs in CorelDraw. Then I import them in to the Design Space. There are free graphics inside design space for your use and also graphics that you can purchase. So you are set either way. I prefer to design my own because that’s what I know.

After cutting the design on your chosen vinyl. You now get to weed it. We use Siser easyweed. It does hold true to its name as it really is easy to weed. Of all the brands I have tried I prefer Siser. As with any project you start especially vinyl. Don’t get in a hurry. Lack of patience and being in a hurry has caused more errors than I care to admit. Take your time. Your final project and your self esteem will be beaming with near perfection.

One other thing about Siser is that you can can also press it with a hand iron. Instructions are:

1• Set iron dial between Cotton and Linen
2• Cover design with Kraft paper or non-stick cover sheet
3• Place on flat, hard surface (ironing board not recommended)
4• Press iron with medium/firm pressure (do not slide iron)
5• Press each section of design for 10-15 seconds
6• If areas of design lift after application, replace cover sheet
and re-press for 5-10 seconds
7• Peel carrier hot or cold

Instructions for heat press are:

1• Cut in reverse
2• Weed excess material
3• Preheat garment for 2-3 seconds
4• Apply design at 305°F/150°C
5• Use medium pressure for 10-15 seconds
6• Peel carrier hot or cold

Make sure you choose a good quality shirt. I came across a great company with shirts at a great price.
I am not an affiliate of this company just a really grateful customer. Jiffy shirts is the name and their website is https://www.jiffyshirts.com/. Trust me you wont regret buying from them.

So save money and design t-shirts.  Let me know what you think of my daughters shirts. Is there anything you’d like to see featured?

Visit us at https://www.etsy.com/shop/JFamilyCrafters