How To Make My Football Jersey

Over a couple of weeks ago, I invested in some cool new, as I would say it “toys”. I bought a Vinyl Cutter/Plotter and a heat press to make custom shirts, stickers, etc. One thing I always hated when I needed a new jersey for football is getting it done somewhere by the sports arena and knowing I could do it myself. Any name, any number, any team name, basically any anything whenever I wanted to make a shirt/jersey.

Last night I had some fun and made my new football shirt for my sunday night league and I just wanted to show you how it’s all done…

1) It begins with the original mockup. Finding the correct font, editing/customizing the font. Seeing how the final product looks before even putting any manual labor into it.
1) It begins with the original mockup. Finding the correct font, editing/customizing the font. Seeing how the final product looks before even putting any manual labor into it.

2) Organize the design and get it ready for print. Since I'm putting it on a heat transfer vinyl, I need to mirror the image.
2) Organize the design and get it ready for print. Since I'm putting it on a heat transfer vinyl, I need to mirror the image.

3) I transferred my Illustrator file via Dropbox to my HP notebook in the other room and open it in the sign making software only made for PC's. (<- I HATE THAT) I then adjust the exact dimensions of each element of the design
3) I transferred my Illustrator file via Dropbox to my HP notebook in the other room and open it in the sign making software only made for PC's. (<- I HATE THAT) I then adjust the exact dimensions of each element of the design

4) Set the project to print and layout the virtual cut outs how the plotter will cut it. I lay it out carefully saving as much vinyl as I can.
4) Set the project to print and layout the virtual cut outs how the plotter will cut it. I lay it out carefully saving as much vinyl as I can.

5) Let the vinyl cutter work its magic
5) Let the vinyl cutter work its magic

6) I take the cut piece and start "weeding" out the unused areas and peel the inside of the letters
6) I take the cut piece and start "weeding" out the unused areas and peel the inside of the letters

7) I then have the final design ready to press.
7) I then have the final design ready to press.

8) I cut the pieces and lay out accordingly being careful not to touch the top of the press as its at 320 degrees
8) I cut the pieces and lay out accordingly being careful not to touch the top of the press as its at 320 degrees

9) I heat press the vinyl (front and back) at 320 degrees for 20 seconds at 2 reps
9) I heat press the vinyl (front and back) at 320 degrees for 20 seconds at 2 reps

10) TADAAAAA! My finished product.
10) TADAAAAA! My finished product.