Create a Kids Coloring Shirt
Susie Graves

Create a Kids Coloring Shirt

With summer approaching, we’re always looking for new and innovative ideas to entertain the children in our lives. Between summer camps, different gatherings, and family vacations, custom T-shirts may be already on your radar. But what might not be on your radar though is making these custom T-shirts fun for your children.

This summer, you can take customization to a new level by printing T-shirts your kids can color in. With fabric markers, your children can color in the design, entertaining them for hours.

If you’re interested in making a coloring shirt, here are some tips and tricks to keep in mind:

  • Use a light-colored T-shirt.

Fabric markers only work on light-colored shirts, so you’ll want to choose a white, or light-colored tee.

  • Browse Adobe Stock Images for a design.

While there are plenty of free graphics across the web, Adobe’s resources are better and free.

  • Prepare your image before printing.

If you want the image to be about 8 inches wide, you’ll want to ensure the image has a resolution of 2400 pixels and it must be 300 DPI. Additionally, since you are only printing black lines for the design, you’ll want to double-check your white under base settings to make sure your choke is set to 0.

  • Avoid threading the shirt over the platform.

When you’re ready to print, there’s no need to thread the shirt over the platform. Kid’s T-shirts run smaller so you can simply just lay it flat and ensure the seams are out of the way.

  • Press the T-shirt and then press it again.

After your first press, let the transfer cool (even if it is a hot peel press). Then you’ll want to press one more time for maximum durability. For this second press, you can use parchment paper with the same press and temperature as before.

Printing just lines and not an entire ink image requires some different steps than you’re used to. As you look for a unique way to help your kids not only stand out this summer but to help keep their creative juices flowing all summer long, follow these tips and get to colored shirt pressing!

If you’re looking for some other fun printing ideas this summer, head over to our DTF Superstore YouTube channel!