How to Print on a T-shirt Without Transfer Paper: Easy Saran Wrap Hack

Julia Rafael
by Julia Rafael
6 Materials
$2
45 Minutes
Easy

In this quick but informative tutorial, I’m going to show you how to print on a t-shirt without transfer paper! So, if you have any old t-shirts that are in dire need of an upgrade, then this t-shirt printing with Saran wrap tutorial is perfect for you!


Keep on scrolling and see how you can make your own homemade transfer paper for t-shirts in a few minutes!

Tools and materials:

  • T-shirt
  • Saran wrap
  • Parchment paper
  • Scissors
  • Iron
  • A printed graphic of your choice (printed on normal paper)
Print on a t-shirt without transfer paper

1. Get your materials

Most of the materials listed above are household items that you should have lying around. So, grab what you need, print an image of your choice, and let’s start t-shirt printing!

T-shirt printing with Saran wrap

2. Cover the printed image

Cut enough Saran wrap so that it covers the image entirely. 

Using Saran wrap in t-shirt printing

Cut the Saran wrap in half.

How to print on a t-shirt with Saran wrap

Now, sandwich the paper so that the Saran wrap covers both sides. 

Smoothing out the Saran wrap

Smooth out the edges, so there’s no air or bubbles. 

Cutting around the picture carefully

3. Cut the picture

Now, cut around the picture, as shown. 

Homemade transfer paper for t-shirts

4. Iron the picture

Place the picture where you’d like. In my case, I placed it in the center. Next, cut a piece of parchment paper and place it on top of the picture. 

How to print t-shirts at home with an iron

Now, iron the parchment paper. Do it slowly, using the lowest setting on your iron. The Saran wrap should melt from the applied heat of the iron. This is also the secret trick: when the cling wrap melts, it adheres to the t-shirt!

Peeling off the homemade transfer paper

Finally, peel off the parchment paper. 

How to t-shirt print without transfer paper

How to print on a t-shirt without transfer paper

Here’s the result! I told you this would be quick and easy! You can literally do t-shirt printing with Saran wrap at home, using just a few general household items.


Now that you’ve discovered how to print t-shirts at home with an iron, you have opened up a whole new world of t-shirt printing DIY projects. Let me know what you think of this tutorial in the comments below.

Suggested materials:
  • T-shirt
  • Saran wrap
  • Parchment paper
See all materials

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Comments
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2 of 64 comments
  • Ashley Nunez Ashley Nunez on Oct 29, 2022

    What is i draw something on normal paper would that still work?


  • Vhe34472472 Vhe34472472 on May 15, 2023

    I did try this, and it did not work - I am in South Africa and the materials are called different names from what you guys call it so I do not know if that is the problem ?


    When the cling wrap melted it only attached to the picture and not at all to the t-shirt.


    Please advise as to what I can do different.



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