grumpy bear print

I printed "grumpy bear" on a t-shirt, for my brother:

Here's a closeup of the bear print:

Here's how to make this print. If you need a reminder about freezer paper printing, read this.

Download a grumpy bear image off the internet and print it out at the desired size. Before printing, you can edit the image in order to get rid of all the colors except for the outlines, which will save you printing ink and give you clearer lines for cutting. Don't limit yourself to A4 size - you can print the image on multiple sheets of paper and paste them together if you wish.

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Temporarily attach the printed image onto a piece of freezer paper, using scotch tape or a small amount of uhu glue stick.


Secure the freezer paper onto a cutting mat, and cut out the design using an x-acto knife. You will get some "islands" - detached bits of freezer paper - that's OK. Just don't lose them, hold them in place with tiny pieces of scotch tape, on the non-shiny side of the freezer paper.

Separate the printed paper from the freezer paper - this makes it easier to adhere the freezer paper to the shirt when pressing.

Press (iron) the freezer paper onto the t-shirt. I like to use a synthetic heat setting on my iron and obviously no steam. Make sure it is attached well so that the fabric paint won't go where it's not supposed to.

Remove the bits of scotch tape that secured the "islands" of freezer paper - at this stage, the "freezer paper islands" should be secured onto the shirt due to pressing. Re-press if necessary.

Paint as you normally do when freezer paper printing. Wait for paint to dry, and peel off the freezer paper. Set the print onto the shirt after 24 hours by pressing again, using a press cloth.