Want to get into textile customization but don't know where to start when it comes to finding products at an affordable price? Want cheap products to run your first tests so you won't kick yourself if you make mistakes? 💸 Don't worry, here you'll find all our tips for finding textiles, and above all, cheap t-shirts to personalize.
Because yes, the personalized t-shirt really is the go-to item when you want to start customizing your clothes and textiles: versatile and budget-friendly, you can even start there if you want to create your own brand.
Why personalize your cheap t-shirt yourself?
As you'd expect, personalizing your t-shirt yourself is often cheaper than buying a ready-made one in a store. And on top of that, you can customize it however you like: with a logo, a catchy phrase, a name... Or even the face of a loved one thanks to the printable flex from papier-transfert.fr. Perfect for any occasion, the cheap personalized t-shirt will quickly become your best ally for giving a gift that stands out or for your wild events. And on top of that, it's homemade, a lovely gesture. 🤍
And even if you don't feel like a great artist, you can get a really nice, professional result at a low cost by following our tips.
Choosing a cheap t-shirt to personalize
If you want to get hold of a t-shirt to personalize on the cheap, you have several options:
- Either you're on the recycling team near where you live and you can easily get a plain t-shirt at a thrift shop or a garage sale. Count on 1€ or 2€ for a t-shirt.
- Or you're on the recycling team but can't be bothered to look very far, and in that case I'll point you to online sites like Le Bon Coin or Vinted where you can find t-shirts at the best price. And you might even get lucky and come across bundles of several t-shirts. A must, and super economical.
If you go for a brand-new cheap t-shirt, here are some other ideas for finding your gem:
- At discount stores: Action, Primark, Lidl or Kiabi, where you'll find cotton basics at very gentle prices, between 3€ and 5€.
- From online retailers like Amazon, which even offer packs of several t-shirts in different colors.
- From professional suppliers such as Teeasy or Wordans. Ideal if you want to roll out your creation to build your own collection. But be careful, these suppliers often cater to professionals only. If you're not self-employed, you won't necessarily be able to benefit from these wholesalers' offers.
You now have plenty of good places to track down your cheap t-shirt. When it comes to low prices, I recommend being careful about the materials you choose. Go for cotton or a cotton and polyester blend to be sure your personalized t-shirt won't stretch out or turn yellow over the washes.
Techniques for a cheap personalized t-shirt that really pops
To personalize your t-shirt on a low budget, the most economical option is to go for standard iron-on flex. On the papier-transfert.fr site, you'll find flex with the best value for money on the market. Available in around twenty colors and in different roll sizes, they're ideal for creating your designs on a budget.
If you have a slightly bigger budget for making your cheap personalized t-shirt, you can also opt for patterned flex, with prices starting at 3.70€. There's plenty to treat yourself to at a low price.
For cutting and applying the flex, we're staying budget-friendly: a good pair of scissors and your favorite iron will do the trick. To do this, nothing could be simpler:
- Trace the pattern, phrase, or logo you want onto your sheet of iron-on flex.
- Cut out your design precisely (I recommend going for small scissors so you can be nice and accurate with your cutting).
- Lay your t-shirt out nice and flat on a clean work surface.
- Carefully apply your patterns, logos or text in the spot you want.
- Cover your design with a sheet of baking paper to protect it from the heat.
- Give it a good press with the iron for about twenty seconds at a constant heat, without using steam.
- Let it rest for five seconds before removing the plastic film.
- And admire the result: in less time than it takes to say it, your cheap personalized t-shirt is ready and flawless! Well done, creatives, another mission accomplished with great success.
If you notice the edges peeling up a little after ironing, don't hesitate to give it another quick press, not forgetting the sheet of baking paper. Likewise, for a flawless result, be sure to wait 24 hours before washing your personalized t-shirt.
Estimating the total cost for a small-budget personalized t-shirt
If you followed our tips for a cheap personalized t-shirt, it should cost you less than 10€ per t-shirt:
- 4€ for the t-shirt
- 1.90€ for the roll of plain flex
You might even have a little flex left over for your future creations, so it all adds up! 😎
On top of having a 100% original t-shirt and pulling off a great creative challenge, you've saved around ten euros compared to a basic-patterned t-shirt you might have bought at a big-box store.
As you've seen, creating a cheap personalized t-shirt really is super easy. Anyone can do it, whether you're an amateur or a beginner, all you have to do is make room for your creativity and you're all set.
Don't hesitate to share your finest cheap t-shirt creations on social media by tagging us: @papier-transfert so we can see your most beautiful creations.
See you soon for a new tutorial, artists!
