Sometimes you may want to add some creativity and exclusiveness to your wardrobe items. For someone who knows how to sew, knit or embroider, of course, it is easier to solve this issue. However, if you have not mastered the craft of needlework, then you can use a relatively inexpensive way - to make a glowing T-shirt.
If you have a T-shirt without a pattern, you can give it a very unique look with a do-it-yourself print that will glow in the dark. To achieve this effect, you can use two simple ways:
- use glowing paints with a phosphor;
- apply thermal transfer printing.
Using paints with phosphor
A phosphor is a powder substance that has the unique ability to transform absorbed light energy into radiation. You can buy paints with a phosphor either in specialized stores or on the Internet.
The paint is relatively easy to make at home. In order to get 100 grams of paint, you need 25 grams of phosphor and 75 grams of varnish. The resulting paint should be applied to a dry product. Thanks to the phosphor, the surface of the fabric acquires luminescent characteristics.
You can “charge” it in the sun, then in the dark the surface will give off the accumulated light. However, at home, it is difficult to transform a product that could compete with industrially manufactured products in terms of glow intensity.
Using thermal transfer printing
This method is somewhat more complicated and will require certain knowledge and skills from you. And besides that, you will need special equipment such as a cutting plotter and a flat heat press. You also need to buy a photoluminescent film called CHEMICA - DARKLITE, which will cost you significantly more than traditional thermal transfer film. However, this product is capable of storing light during the day, and it does not have to be sunlight.
So, in order to make a glowing T-shirt, you may need Coreldraw, since you can type in the text you have planned or create an image in it. From the Effects menu, you can create an outline or add contrast.
If you have selected a path, it must be placed outside the object, the path step indicates the number of colors. Next, you need to separate the text from the outline, for this you should go to the "Objects" section and select "Disconnect the outline group". The image or the finished text must be printed on thermal transfer film.
Now your creative work is complete, all that remains is to cut the film on a plotter and glue it to the T-shirt. Please note that the black outline is the future glowing film. When it is cut, it must be pressed tightly with a heat press to the fabric of the T-shirt. First of all, glue the outline, then glue the red thermal film on top.
