How to Make a Custom Photo Mousepad
Purchase some blank white 8x9x1/4 pads., Purchase some inkjet transfer paper. , Design your image in Paint Shop Pro, Adobe or any other image design software., Test your final image on a blank 8x10 piece of paper., You are now ready to insert the...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Purchase some blank white 8x9x1/4 pads.
For best results try to work with an image of at least 100K.
A 25K image will print but it will not be as sharp and crisp when blown up to 8x11 as a high resolution image. , Make sure it prints the image on the entire 8x11 sheet, not just on 1/4 of the page.
Test on cheap (vs $2 transfer paper) blank white paper to make sure your image is correct and your printer is printing through all it's heads.
Epsons especially are notorious for a few clogged heads in the middle of a print then the rest of the print has horizontal lines in it. , Make sure you insert the paper with the printable side the correct way.
If reversed there goes $2-$3.
Once the paper is in the printer facing in the correct direction press print. , The iron will not give as much pressure to the transfer paper as a heat press would.
The downward pressure from a heat press is what burns the image into the pad making for a pad that lasts for years and years.
The iron will create the right heat but not as much pressure so your pad may have present or future issues with bits of it flaking off. , Note the temperature needed.
Normally it's around 375 degrees but could vary with the manufacturer of your paper.
Set the iron to that temp and let it heat up.
Once heated up place your pad on a hard surface.
An ironing board works well. , Try to bear down on the pad with some pressure.
A limp wrist ironing job with light pressure will make for a poor pad.
Consult your transfer paper instructions for the length of time needed to iron the paper.
Most times it's around 3-4 minutes. , Follow instructions for the type you purchased.
Note:
Once you begin to peel the paper away do not stop halfway through! It will leave a line on your pad.
Try to pull off the paper in one steady evenly spaced movement.
Normally you should peel paper off in about 3 seconds.
One long even movement of peeling the paper across the pad. , -
Step 2: Purchase some inkjet transfer paper.
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Step 3: Design your image in Paint Shop Pro
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Step 4: Adobe or any other image design software.
-
Step 5: Test your final image on a blank 8x10 piece of paper.
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Step 6: You are now ready to insert the transfer paper if the test is good.
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Step 7: Let sheet of transfer paper (with a 8x11 image on it) dry for 5 or 10 minutes and get your iron plugged in and ready
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Step 8: unless you have a commercial heat press.
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Step 9: Study the instructions included with your transfer paper.
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Step 10: Place your transfer paper image on the pad and begin to press the iron on the pad in back and forth motions.
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Step 11: Peel the paper away starting at one corner
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Step 12: - Note that transfer papers vary in whether you should peel when they are hot or cold.
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Step 13: Finished.
Detailed Guide
For best results try to work with an image of at least 100K.
A 25K image will print but it will not be as sharp and crisp when blown up to 8x11 as a high resolution image. , Make sure it prints the image on the entire 8x11 sheet, not just on 1/4 of the page.
Test on cheap (vs $2 transfer paper) blank white paper to make sure your image is correct and your printer is printing through all it's heads.
Epsons especially are notorious for a few clogged heads in the middle of a print then the rest of the print has horizontal lines in it. , Make sure you insert the paper with the printable side the correct way.
If reversed there goes $2-$3.
Once the paper is in the printer facing in the correct direction press print. , The iron will not give as much pressure to the transfer paper as a heat press would.
The downward pressure from a heat press is what burns the image into the pad making for a pad that lasts for years and years.
The iron will create the right heat but not as much pressure so your pad may have present or future issues with bits of it flaking off. , Note the temperature needed.
Normally it's around 375 degrees but could vary with the manufacturer of your paper.
Set the iron to that temp and let it heat up.
Once heated up place your pad on a hard surface.
An ironing board works well. , Try to bear down on the pad with some pressure.
A limp wrist ironing job with light pressure will make for a poor pad.
Consult your transfer paper instructions for the length of time needed to iron the paper.
Most times it's around 3-4 minutes. , Follow instructions for the type you purchased.
Note:
Once you begin to peel the paper away do not stop halfway through! It will leave a line on your pad.
Try to pull off the paper in one steady evenly spaced movement.
Normally you should peel paper off in about 3 seconds.
One long even movement of peeling the paper across the pad. ,
About the Author
Jessica Gordon
Specializes in breaking down complex lifestyle topics into simple steps.
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