Father's Day Gift Idea - Make Dad or Grandpa a Photo T-Shirt of the Kids

Surprise Dad or Grandpa with a photo shirt of the kids this father's day! This great keepsake item will let them show off the children they're so proud of, all year long. Here's how to make one...

First, pick out a photo you like, or take a new picture just for this project. I like to use close up shots with faces showing, because I think they work the best for a photo shirt. You can photograph the child(ren) alone, or picture them with Dad or Grandpa doing something they enjoy together. Make sure you choose a picture with a good resolution, since enlarging it for the shirt will cause it to be grainy otherwise.

Next you need to pick out your shirt. You can find blank t-shirts at discount stores (Walmart, Target, etc.) or at craft stores (Michael's, Jo-Ann's, Hobby Lobby, etc.). Choose a color that won't conflict with the background of the photo you'll be using.

Wash the t-shirt to remove the processing chemicals, and to allow it to shrink. It you grab it out of the dry quickly, you can smooth it out enough while it's warm, so that you don't have to iron it.

Take your digital picture, or negative, to the local photo shop to be enlarged so that it will fit on your shirt. Be sure to tell them the clerk that you need it on photo-transfer paper! If your home printer will take transfer paper, you can do this step at home.

Lay your t-shirt down and smooth it completely flat. Center your photo on the shirt, with the 'wrong' side against the fabric. Make sure it's lined up, and then iron over it firmly and evenly, at the temperature setting directed on your transfer paper.

Allow it to cool, and then carefully peel away the backing paper. If the design sticks to the paper at all, you may need to iron it a little longer. Once it's peeled away cleanly, you can add any embellishments you like with craft pens. (Be sure to note the date!)

Let it dry a final time, and then your Father's Day photo shirt is finished! You have a beautiful keepsake gift that any father or grandfather will love.

Happy Father's Day!

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