What Are Light Colors for Iron-On Transfers? Light vs Dark Fabric Transfer Paper Explained

For iron-on transfer paper, "light colors" means white or light-colored fabric, because light transfer paper is transparent and lets the shirt colour show through the design. Avery says its light fabric transfers can only be used on white or light-colored fabric because the background of the transfer virtually disappears, so a dark shirt would make the design hard to see. Dark transfer paper has an opaque white layer and works on any shirt colour, including white.

Why light transfer paper only works on light shirts

Home inkjet printers cannot print white ink. On light transfer paper, the parts of a design meant to be white are simply unprinted, clear film, and the printed colours are thin enough for the fabric to show through. On a white shirt that looks right. On a darker shirt the fabric colour mixes into every colour of the design.

Cricut explains the effect on pastels: its Printable Iron-On for light fabrics uses a transparent material, so on a pastel shirt the artwork takes on a tint of the fabric, and a pink shirt gives the design a pink tint.

Which shirt colours count as light?

The transfer paper makers do not publish a list of shades. Avery and Epson both say only "white or light colored". A practical test: if the design's lightest colour is lighter than the shirt, use dark paper, because the light paper cannot print anything lighter than the fabric under it. White and very pale shirts suit light paper; for mid-tones and pastels, expect the tint Cricut describes, or switch to dark paper.

Light vs dark transfer paper

Avery describes its dark transfers as staying white behind the design "like a big white label". Neenah's 3G Jet-Opaque instructions say the product contains an opaque layer to hide the colour of the substrate.

Mirroring depends on the product, not just light or dark. Cricut's Printable Iron-On instructions say not to mirror the design, because Design Space handles placement, and Siser's EasyColor DTV is also printed without mirroring. Always follow the instruction sheet that comes with the paper.

What about DTF?

DTF transfers print a white underbase behind the colours, so the same transfer works on white, light and dark shirts without a visible background box. That is the main reason print shops move from transfer paper to DTF. The iron-on transfer paper guide covers printers and application, and what is a DTF transfer explains how DTF works.

Frequently asked questions

What are light colors for transfer paper?

White and light-colored fabrics. Light transfer paper is transparent, so it only works when the shirt is lighter than the colours in the design.

Can you use light transfer paper on a grey shirt?

On a pale grey shirt it can work, but the grey will show through and tint the design. For anything darker, use dark transfer paper.

Do you mirror dark transfer paper?

Usually not. Avery and Neenah dark papers are applied face up and printed right-reading. Check the instructions for the specific paper.

Can you use dark transfer paper on a white shirt?

Yes. Avery says its dark transfers work on white or dark t-shirts; the white background will match a white shirt.