Airbrush T-Shirt: Make it Last

Is airbrush artwork on a t-shirt permanent once the paint is dry? Will it stand up to abuse from a washer and dryer? In this video we test options to find out what works and what doesn’t.
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[@robmartin5414]

Just to let your viewers know DO NOT use wax paper, parchment paper or Teflon sheet is the trick here whether with an iron or heat press. Added tip if you use a iron after throw the garment in the dryer for ten to fifteen minutes to boost the heat setting. Very informative video Trevor cheers and here’s to a start of a new year

[@wickedartstudio]

Hey Rob! I appreciate your tips! This may be a dumb question, but I have to ask... I blindly assumed a hot iron would attempt to stick to the paint on a shirt without using a barrier like wax paper, parchment paper or a Teflon sheet in between. Does that not happen?

[@robmartin5414]

@@wickedartstudio re-reading my comment I think I can see how it can be misconstrued , what I was going for was do not use wax paper please use parchment or Teflon. With the wax paper it can leave a residue behind if the iron is left to generate a hot spot ie leaving to long in one spot ,wrong setting. Hope you didn’t wear a bald spot scratching your head over my faux pas😶‍🌫️🙄

[@wickedartstudio]

@@robmartin5414 Got it! Re-reading your comment, I can see that is what you meant 🙂and that makes perfect sense! Thanks for sharing my friend! P.S. no worries, I already had the bald spot 😂

[@jonstines3424]

Love the info and expertise. Nothing better than someone who's been there and done that! Please keep them coming.

[@wickedartstudio]

Thank you, Jon! I appreciate the kind words my friend!

[@RyanDuhamell]

Something about you dude .. Just makes me trust everything you said. Thanks for making this ... I came across this trying to avoid a heat source

[@wickedartstudio]

I appreciate the kind words! Thank you!

[@SleepyWizzo]

My friend's father was a graphic arts teacher. We used to cure paint on t-shirts in his kitchen oven.

[@wickedartstudio]

I'm sure that method works to an extent. In terms of durability and longevity, I still think a heat press is more reliable and consistent when doing work for a paying customer.

[@chrisb2557]

Very cool almost looks like a gobstopper that you cut in half. Most folks dont know what those are lol.

[@wickedartstudio]

Lol, thank you!

[@russelljohnson6920]

Cricut has actual stencil vinyl that I use for some of the paint work I do on motorcycles/golf carts ect. I'm gonna try it on a shirt of two to see how it works

[@wickedartstudio]

Hi Russell! You can absolutely use vinyl on fabrics. It does work; however, it's a royal pain in the rear in my opinion, especially on t-shirts. Vinyl doesn't adhere as well to t-shirt fabric as it does motorcycle tanks, golf carts, etc. It will stick, but it requires a lot more time and patience to apply based on my experience. The advantage to using a Mylar, dura-lar, acetate, etc. material with spray adhesive (aside from less frustration) is you can use the same mask over and over again on future projects.

[@svendehaa]

Great video, thanks for putting the different methods to the test. I must say I was surprised with the result. I haven't airbrushed on a t-shirt yet, definitely have to give it a try one day :)

[@wickedartstudio]

Thanks Sven!

[@infernalsaxon]

Thick gauge baking tray in an oven ,remove ,then parchment paper barrier and some weight on top on a flat surface. Did that when i was a kid with heat transfer stencils for a school project. Might work on shirts as well.

[@wickedartstudio]

I never would have thought of that. It very well might work. Thank you for sharing!

[@infernalsaxon]

@@wickedartstudioYou're welcome. Baking a red baron pizza gave me the idea at the time. Solutions come from the strangest of things.

[@wickedartstudio]

@@infernalsaxon Sometimes they do... lol.

[@davidhaughton5115]

Hey, should the shirt be 95%-100% cotton for the paint to stay on the shirt properly after heat pressing and washing?

[@coolkids2064]

I would've love it if you used the Iron. Thanks though I used the 5601 to used less paint on dark color shirts but I did not see much of a difference. Maybe I did not let dry enough. And top coated with the matte 5603 matte only time will tell. I can already guess nothing beats the press. Although after using the iron the color did stayed on better on the shirt. Thanks though I appreciate the video. Keep them coming brother thanks

[@wickedartstudio]

I may create another video in the future and put the iron to the test. Transparent Base won't do much of anything on dark colored shirts. I get better results using opaque white (or another light opaque color) as a base for the artwork and heat setting that base prior to airbrushing anything over the top of it. A top coat on fabrics isn't really necessary either if you are setting the paint with heat. I have no doubt using an iron is better than not using heat at all, I'm just not sure how much better it would be... I'm going to have to try it so that I can answer this question better in the future :).

[@mikebelanger1961]

The trick i found to freehand letering ,Was to start with my center letter bro.very lightly than build it up darker.

[@wickedartstudio]

I appreciate the tip! Thank you!

[@AirbrushWithGrace]

I started on t shirts at Universal Studios in the 90s lol. First real job. Good times 😜

[@wickedartstudio]

A lot of very accomplished airbrush artists got their start doing t-shirts. Your airbrushed tattoos are fantastic!

[@tiny__earth]

Doesn't it make sense to wet the fiber of the T-shirt beforehand and then spray it with paint? This allows the fiber to absorb the color much better than when dry. Of course, it depends on how large the details are. I have now watched many videos in this regard. It is often reported that the color does not last long. I am trying to find a solution in this regard. It makes me somehow no sense if it looks good at the beginning after the 8 wash but is gone. Have you already airbrusht on a damp shirt?

[@laclochard]

I've noticed there is a product called fixer that is recommended to be blended with paint so that it lasts. But I don't know how that affects the paint. All so complicated.

[@wickedartstudio]

Theoretically, (I've never attempted to airbrush over a damp shirt) it doesn't make sense to wet the fiber of the t-shirt before spraying it with paint to me. Why? I use Createx water-based paint. Watering down the shirt first will prolong the dry time and adding too much water when reducing water-based paint can negatively affect adhesion. You would essentially be adding more water to the paint by wetting the shirt first. As demonstrated in the video, the only method I've ever tried for maximum durability that absolutely works is a heat press set at the correct temperature for the correct amount of time and pressure. I've painted shirts that still look just as good as the day they were painted years later after numerous wash cycles. I don't use high air pressure settings while airbrushing in order to force the paint into the fabric either. If the job is heat set properly it lasts. I've tried numerous other short cut methods over the thirty years that I've been airbrushing, and the heat press is the only method that really works based on my own experience.

[@fbodyredblood]

Happy 2022! Very eye-opening information this week. 👍 My wife does a lot of Heat-Transfer Vinyl (HTV) t-shirts. She uses one of the big Cricut EasyPress (12x12 or so) to set the HTV. It has a thermostat and a timer; she mostly runs it at 350-deg. I would expect that it would work for this too. For this particular design it might not get the whole thing in one shot, but 2 for sure. It's a little pricey, but not unreasonable.

[@wickedartstudio]

Happy New Year my friend! You are correct. The heat press your wife uses to set HTV will absolutely work for setting airbrush paint on t-shirts (provided she is okay with you using it for that purpose I guess :). Pressing a shirt more than once in order to cover the entire painted area is not an issue either.

[@isabellegauthier1254]

thank you so much for all that info. l was looking everywhere online for a heat press that reach 375 degree like you mentioned until I realized you're American and you guys use Fahrenheit degree...no wonder I couldn't find anything . 🤣🤣

[@wickedartstudio]

🤣😂🤣

[@OMGwhydoihavethischannelstill]

Perfect timing for me to have seen this review! Thank you

[@wickedartstudio]

Thank you for watching and taking the time to leave a comment!

[@shinecustomstravisswedziak8814]

What about a heat gun. Those get hot and you could wave it across the surface. I have a heat press but it’s small.

[@wickedartstudio]

The problem with a heat gun is they get hot, very hot, and they get there very quickly. It would be difficult to control the heat in order to reach the correct temperature over the entire surface of the design consistently. You also run the risk of burning the fabric if you get too close for too long. A hair dryer would be a safer bet, but part of the reason a heat press works so well is due to the pressure applied to the fabric and paint along with the heat. If you have a smaller heat press, I recommend turning the shirt multiple times and using several 30 second press cycles in order to cover the entire design. You'll get far better and consistent results with your heat press compared to any other method.

[@richardgray4109]

Hi Trevor 👋 Haven't done many maybe 10/12 chapter logos for some friends motorcycles ( T shirt material) in-between paint layers I'll use my (wife's) old blow dryer to heat & dry..then when done I'll use parchment paper & iron the painting for 20/30 mins, not to let it sit in one place, keep moving iron 🥴 Yes it's time consuming, but what I do is a hobby (being retired) for family and friends, I do some for $$ mostly free 🙄 but the hugs & smiles are great...l might try the spray with the iron 🤔 Hope your Christmas & New Year's were good 👍

[@wickedartstudio]

Hey Rich! I know this is a hobby for you my friend, and there's nothing wrong with using the iron if it works!

[@miguelsoto9579]

Cool really nice example. It b nice if createx don’t have to many reducers. Tha shirt came out really cool . Thanks for the video

[@wickedartstudio]

Thank you! I can understand confusion, and even frustration, pertaining to the different reducers. I use 4011 Reducer for pretty much everything which keeps things simple and easy!

[@miguelsoto9579]

@@wickedartstudio thank u

[@nickyskribblez1477]

Very helpful video thank you I like the testing to ensure product quality

[@wickedartstudio]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@usafreedom7967]

What paint would you recommend for cloth headliners. Thanks, like your videos

[@wickedartstudio]

Thank you for the kind words! Personally, I use Createx Colors on everything I do (automotive, fine art and fabrics). However, paint is also a very subjective thing. Some people do not like water-based paint, myself included when I first started the transition from urethane to water-based, but once I got it figured out it was all good. Createx does work very well for fabrics though!

[@usafreedom7967]

@@wickedartstudio thank you, keep spraying bro

[@chrisb2557]

Hi was wondering if you have a website to order custom airbrush work from you. I am dabbling myself as ive mentioned but think having your work hanging would be great inspiration to me as a beginner. Thank you much. Love your work and tutorials.

[@wickedartstudio]

Hey Chris! I appreciate the kind words! I do have a website, and anyone can certainly order custom work from me, but I don't really have already completed artworks sitting around waiting to be sold (I might look into this further in the future though). Most of what I do currently is automotive and commissioned work.

[@shanesayer1795]

thank you

[@wickedartstudio]

Thank you!

[@deadhand2938]

Great video. Love your honest opinion.

[@wickedartstudio]

Thank you!

[@category7273]

So any Createx paint can be applied on t-shirt and heat pressed?

[@wickedartstudio]

That is correct.

[@nullnull403forbidden]

What name brand and model is your heat press?

[@wickedartstudio]

I use a Hix S-650 Evo-Pro. www.hixcorp.com/s650

[@ErnieHernandezdesigner]

thanks for making this video

[@wickedartstudio]

Thank you!

[@kustomair5937]

Are you supposed to heat set the "Safe T"? I only ask because you are supposed to if you use transparent base as a final "tshirt sealer"

[@wickedartstudio]

If I understand correctly, no. The label on the can I have reads "Eliminates Heat Setting Airbrush Fabric Colors". I've never heard it's necessary to heat set Save Tee if you use transparent base as a final topcoat either. That seems redundant to me. There's no need to use an alternate product if you own a heat press. Heat setting fabric paint has proven to be the best solution in the industry for a very long time.

[@kustomair5937]

@@wickedartstudio Yeah, the people that told me this, sprayed the shirt with transparent base..heat set it..then did the artwork..then sprayed transparent base as a final sealer..then heat set again. This was for elaborate portraits on shirts. They also do this to black t-shirts(all the steps mentioned above). It got me wondering lately, so I started "taking a poll."🤣😂

[@wickedartstudio]

@@kustomair5937 That makes a lot more sense than using Save Tee with a heat press. I've always used transparent base and heat set that in the beginning for more intricate designs, but I've never used transparent base as a final seal coat before heat setting the finished artwork. I've since talked to other t-shirt artists that do use transparent base after the artwork is finished. I don't know if it makes a difference durability wise or not though. I may have to try it just to see.

[@petecolone5125]

Good info. Can't really heat press leather snekers, any recommendations? UVLS?

[@maquismark5852]

You don't need a heat press when painting leather sneakers. Just build up your paint slowly and allow 20 mins or so dry time between coats. Removable stencil vinyl will stick no problem to your shoes.

[@maquismark5852]

Also you can apply a specific finisher to protect the paint. I use Liquid Kicks finishers for cycling shoes and it is very good👍

[@wickedartstudio]

Hey Pete! As @Maquis Mark-Eejit Customs already mentioned, there's no need to heat press leather sneakers. I recently painted my first pair of leather shoes and made a few minor mistakes while painting. I attempted to erase the small mistakes (I was using Createx Illustration colors) and I couldn't erase them. The paint stuck to the shoes extremely well! I used UVLS Matte as a final protective clear coat. Time will tell how well they hold up.

[@thomasthompson9552]

nice info good advice

[@wickedartstudio]

Thank you!

[@jerryhubbard4461]

I have a heat gun that will reach 1500 degrees. Will a gun work?

[@wickedartstudio]

I don't recommend a heat gun. You'll have a hard time distributing the heat evenly at the correct temperature. I believe the pressure from a heat press also makes a big difference.

[@jerryhubbard4461]

@@wickedartstudioThank you very much

[@marciodon7705]

Great vídeo 👏👏👏👏👏

[@wickedartstudio]

Thank you!

[@ourgodisaconsumingfire7652]

Does the paint say on the shirt long

[@wickedartstudio]

Yes, if the paint is heat set with a heat press it will last a very long time. Without being heat set it won't. A lot of the color will wash away the first time it's washed.

[@thomasduchene9415]

Hey trevor, great video...heres a question that I have yet to see anyone in airbrushing ever address...the boards you use for tshirts, is there an industry standard for sizes? I use my own but they are not of a specific size. I do shirts once in awhile...wait, I just heard u say you're not a tshirt guy lol...its ok if you are unsure of the answer to my question. I thought I'd make a good video.

[@wickedartstudio]

Hey Thomas! I don't think there's an industry "standard" as far as sizes are concerned for shirt boards, but I could be wrong. Most people probably cut their own. Personally, I couldn't cut a straight line to save my life. So, I just bought the boards I have. They last long enough that it was worth the additional cost in my case. I don't know how many years I've had them, but it's been a minute. The sizes I have are extra-large, large (a medium size shirt fits well on the large) and small. I'm not a t-shirt guy in the sense that I didn't start my career in a t-shirt booth like a lot of other artists did around the time I got into airbrushing, lol. I have painted my fair share of t-shirts over the last thirty years. Lately, I'm actually getting more requests to paint custom shirts than I ever have before. So, I know enough to get me in trouble :).

[@thomasduchene9415]

@@wickedartstudio ok good to know. It's all I've ever done is make my own. That's gotten me by over the years. I'm one of those that started with shirts then worked his way to other things. I havent done automotive but maybe one day for myself I will but otherwise, just not that interested. You should do a video showcasing some of your art if you have it. I'd like to see it anyway. In my case I'd have to actually do it to show it off lol...only did one thing last year...just couldnt find the motivation...even with a new brush.

[@wickedartstudio]

@@thomasduchene9415 I have a few ideas about using some of my art in future videos... I just need to find the time to actually produce them.

[@tankprohp]

What's your experience with using a heat gun instead of a heat press say you're doing like a hat

[@wickedartstudio]

I have actually attempted to set the paint with a heat gun a long time ago; however, I tried it on a shirt rather than a hat. The results weren't great. In fact, I don't think there was a noticeable difference between using a heat gun and not using a heat gun. Either way, a lot of the paint disappeared during the first wash. It's difficult to control the amount of heat you're putting into the fabric with a heat gun. You also run the risk of scorching and/or melting the material relatively easy with an actual heat gun. I believe you need heat and pressure for proper polymerization, which is why a heat press is the best solution. A hat on the other hand, doesn't get washed nearly as often as other clothing items. So, with or without heat, the paint should last longer in theory.

[@thecentralscrutinizerr]

Ok, so I just bought a 15x15 heat press from Jeff Bezos for 97 soon to be worthless Federal Reserve Notes.

[@wickedartstudio]

lol! Either way, you'll see a noticeable difference in the longevity and durability of your airbrushed t-shirts.