How To Make - Iron On Transfers that Glow In The Dark
Print glowing custom T-shirts, crafts, and fabric projects at home using our specialty Glow-In-The-Dark iron-on transfer paper—designed for white fabrics and inkjet printers only.
🧼 What You’ll Need
- Digital image or artwork (scanned or downloaded)
- Inkjet printer (color bubble jet)
- Glow-in-the-dark iron-on transfer paper
- Pre-washed white cotton or 50/50 blend fabric
- Hand iron or commercial heat press
- Flat, hard, non-porous ironing surface (not an ironing board)
- Clean, soft cloth or pillowcase
🖨️ Printing Your Transfer
Before printing, test your image on plain paper. When satisfied, load a single sheet of transfer paper—print on the blank side. The reverse side will have lines or marks to help identify it.
Suggested Printer Settings:
- Paper Type: Plain
- Print Quality: Best / High
- Flip, Mirror, or T-shirt setting: ON
- Let ink dry for at least 30 minutes
- Trim unprinted areas around your image
🔥 Applying Heat – Two Methods
Commercial Heat Press:
- Preheat to 325°F
- Press fabric for a few seconds to remove moisture, then cool
- Place transfer face down on fabric
- Press with light-to-medium pressure for 45 seconds
- Rub gently with a soft cloth, let cool, then peel liner
Hand Ironing:
- Use a hard, smooth surface (not an ironing board)
- Cover with a pillowcase to protect surface
- Iron fabric to remove wrinkles/moisture, then cool completely
- Place transfer image-side down on fabric
- Use medium/firm pressure, moving iron constantly
- Pay special attention to the edges
- Iron full 8.5"x11" for 1.5–2 minutes, or half-sheet for 60–90 seconds
- Rub gently, let cool, peel liner
🧺 Washing & Care
- Turn garments inside out before washing
- Use cold water and mild detergent – no bleach
- Air dry preferred; if needed, tumble dry on air only
- Proper care helps preserve brightness and glow
📦 Storage & Handling
- Store in a cool, dry place
- After opening, reseal unused paper in the plastic bag
- Include a desiccant (like silica gel) to control moisture
❗Troubleshooting Tips
Yellow Transfer:
Heat may be too high. Confirm iron/press temp is 325°F or on Cotton setting.
Transfer Not Adhering:
Temperature may be too low. Increase pressure and confirm heating method.
Image Cracking After Wash:
Pre-wash fabric before applying. Increase pressure during transfer process to prevent future cracking.
Edges Not Adhering:
When hand-ironing, ensure the edges get full pressure and heat coverage.
Reversed Image on Shirt:
Your printer may be set to Mirror or Flip. Disable this setting to print a normal image.
⚠️ Important Notes
- For use with inkjet printers only
- Do NOT use with laser printers, copiers, or heat-dry printers (e.g. HP 1200C/1600C)
- Improper use may damage the printer—check your manual if unsure