Ironing the TPU Print onto a T-Shirt
Instead of printing directly onto fabric (see README), you can print the logo flat on the build plate and iron it onto a cotton t-shirt afterwards. TPU melts and bonds nicely into the fabric weave under heat and pressure.
What you need
- The printed TPU logo (flat, 0.4 mm)
- A cotton t-shirt
- A clothes iron
- Baking paper (parchment paper)
Steps
- Set the iron to level 3 (•••, cotton setting). Let it fully heat up.
- Position the print on the t-shirt where you want the logo.
- Cut a piece of baking paper slightly larger than the print and lay it on top. It protects the TPU from direct contact with the iron and keeps it from sticking to the soleplate.
- Press down firmly for about 30 seconds with the iron flat on the baking paper. Use real pressure — this is what pushes the softened TPU into the fabric.
- Work the edge of the iron over the print with force. Slide the soleplate edge across the whole logo.
- Rotate the iron 90° and repeat the edge pass in the other direction.
- Repeat steps 4–8 several times until the print is bonded to the shirt and no longer lifts at the edges.
- Let it cool briefly, then turn the shirt inside out (print facing down).
- Iron the back side over the logo area a few more times to finish the bond from behind.
Tips
- Cotton only — synthetic fabrics can melt at the cotton iron setting.
- Peel the baking paper off slowly after cooling; if the TPU sticks to it, iron again.
- Gently tug the edges of the logo after cooling to check the bond — if a corner lifts, repeat the pressing.
- Wash the shirt inside out at low temperature to make the print last longer.
# Ironing the TPU Print onto a T-Shirt
Instead of printing directly onto fabric (see [README](README.md)), you can print the logo flat on the build plate and iron it onto a cotton t-shirt afterwards. TPU melts and bonds nicely into the fabric weave under heat and pressure.
## What you need
- The printed TPU logo (flat, 0.4 mm)
- A cotton t-shirt
- A clothes iron
- Baking paper (parchment paper)
## Steps
1. **Set the iron to level 3 (•••, cotton setting).** Let it fully heat up.
2. **Position the print** on the t-shirt where you want the logo.
3. **Cut a piece of baking paper** slightly larger than the print and lay it on top. It protects the TPU from direct contact with the iron and keeps it from sticking to the soleplate.
4. **Press down firmly for about 30 seconds** with the iron flat on the baking paper. Use real pressure — this is what pushes the softened TPU into the fabric.
5. **Work the edge of the iron over the print with force.** Slide the soleplate edge across the whole logo.
6. **Rotate the iron 90° and repeat** the edge pass in the other direction.
7. **Repeat steps 4–8 several times** until the print is bonded to the shirt and no longer lifts at the edges.
8. **Let it cool briefly**, then turn the shirt inside out (print facing down).
9. **Iron the back side** over the logo area a few more times to finish the bond from behind.
## Tips
- Cotton only — synthetic fabrics can melt at the cotton iron setting.
- Peel the baking paper off slowly after cooling; if the TPU sticks to it, iron again.
- Gently tug the edges of the logo after cooling to check the bond — if a corner lifts, repeat the pressing.
- Wash the shirt inside out at low temperature to make the print last longer.