Barton Damer gave us permission to repost his handy DIY guide on making a striped t-shirt in your own backyard with just a spray bottle, duct tape, some bleach, and some good ole American ingenuity.
This weekend I had some fun with duct tape and some bleach making this tee shirt design. Check out these 3 easy steps. If you decide to make your own version, come back to this post and leave us a Flickr link to check out a photo of what you did!
Step 1
Use duct tape to mask off your design onto a dark colored tee. I decided to make stripes on a black tee.
Step 2
Spray your t-shirt with a bleach/water mixture. I used 70% bleach and 30% water. Let your shirt dry after you spray it to your liking.
Step 3
Wash and wear your tee. Easy as 1, 2, 3!’
Go Media is a creative agency based in Cleveland, Ohio. Besides the GoMediaZine, we also work for clients and sell stock artwork and design files on the Arsenal.
June 11th, 2009 at 10:25 am -
That's cool :-)
June 11th, 2009 at 10:31 am -
oh that's not to bad looking; i might try this with different designs
June 11th, 2009 at 10:37 am -
That's sick!!! Ugggh!!! Love it!!!
June 11th, 2009 at 11:25 am -
That's cool :-)
June 11th, 2009 at 11:25 am -
That's cool :-)
June 11th, 2009 at 11:31 am -
oh that's not to bad looking; i might try this with different designs
June 11th, 2009 at 11:31 am -
oh that's not to bad looking; i might try this with different designs
June 11th, 2009 at 11:37 am -
That's sick!!! Ugggh!!! Love it!!!
June 11th, 2009 at 11:37 am -
That's sick!!! Ugggh!!! Love it!!!
June 11th, 2009 at 12:21 pm -
Wouldn't the bleach weaken the fabric? It's a cool idea, but don't expect the t-shirt to have a very long lifespan…
June 11th, 2009 at 12:25 pm -
Considering you can buy these shirts cheap at a craft store it's not that big of a deal. Can't wait to try this!
June 11th, 2009 at 12:49 pm -
Wow this is pretty cool! Will definitely have to try this. I wonder how the bleach will change colors on other color shirts?
June 11th, 2009 at 1:14 pm -
A much more in depth tutorial is available here:
http://www.stencilrevolution.com/forum/index.ph...
June 11th, 2009 at 1:21 pm -
Wouldn't the bleach weaken the fabric? It's a cool idea, but don't expect the t-shirt to have a very long lifespan…
June 11th, 2009 at 1:21 pm -
Wouldn't the bleach weaken the fabric? It's a cool idea, but don't expect the t-shirt to have a very long lifespan…
June 11th, 2009 at 1:25 pm -
Considering you can buy these shirts cheap at a craft store it's not that big of a deal. Can't wait to try this!
June 11th, 2009 at 1:25 pm -
Considering you can buy these shirts cheap at a craft store it's not that big of a deal. Can't wait to try this!
June 11th, 2009 at 1:47 pm -
Yes, the bleach weakens the fabric. I would recommend using a discharge waterbased ink with a handheld heat gun to activate the discharge agent. (~250 degrees)
June 11th, 2009 at 1:49 pm -
Wow this is pretty cool! Will definitely have to try this. I wonder how the bleach will change colors on other color shirts?
June 11th, 2009 at 1:49 pm -
Wow this is pretty cool! Will definitely have to try this. I wonder how the bleach will change colors on other color shirts?
June 11th, 2009 at 2:04 pm -
The bleach can weaken the fabric if you use an excessive amount. I would not recommend trying to get down to a really white shade. Mine was a light splattering that only slightly removed the color. I've washed and worn it many times. I used an American Apparel tee.
June 11th, 2009 at 2:14 pm -
A much more in depth tutorial is available here:
http://www.stencilrevolution.com/forum/index.ph...
June 11th, 2009 at 2:14 pm -
A much more in depth tutorial is available here:
http://www.stencilrevolution.com/forum/index.ph...
June 11th, 2009 at 2:47 pm -
Yes, the bleach weakens the fabric. I would recommend using a discharge waterbased ink with a handheld heat gun to activate the discharge agent. (~250 degrees)
June 11th, 2009 at 2:47 pm -
Yes, the bleach weakens the fabric. I would recommend using a discharge waterbased ink with a handheld heat gun to activate the discharge agent. (~250 degrees)
June 11th, 2009 at 3:04 pm -
The bleach can weaken the fabric if you use an excessive amount. I would not recommend trying to get down to a really white shade. Mine was a light splattering that only slightly removed the color. I've washed and worn it many times. I used an American Apparel tee.
June 11th, 2009 at 3:04 pm -
The bleach can weaken the fabric if you use an excessive amount. I would not recommend trying to get down to a really white shade. Mine was a light splattering that only slightly removed the color. I've washed and worn it many times. I used an American Apparel tee.
June 11th, 2009 at 4:26 pm -
It would probably weaken it, but it's not a big deal. You might get holes in it, but just makes it that much more hip.
June 11th, 2009 at 5:26 pm -
It would probably weaken it, but it's not a big deal. You might get holes in it, but just makes it that much more hip.
June 11th, 2009 at 5:26 pm -
It would probably weaken it, but it's not a big deal. You might get holes in it, but just makes it that much more hip.
June 11th, 2009 at 9:55 pm -
i love things that can be done with stuff found around the house !! :) nice job
June 11th, 2009 at 10:55 pm -
i love things that can be done with stuff found around the house !! :) nice job
June 11th, 2009 at 10:55 pm -
i love things that can be done with stuff found around the house !! :) nice job
June 12th, 2009 at 1:33 am -
Very Cool !!!!
June 12th, 2009 at 2:33 am -
Very Cool !!!!
June 12th, 2009 at 2:33 am -
Very Cool !!!!
June 12th, 2009 at 8:14 am -
I suggest cutting a stencil design in an acetate sheet and then, using a light layer of spray glue, pressing it onto the shirt. I made a bad-ass t-shirt to wear to a show two years ago this way! :) Still have it, too… still in pretty good condition. If you don't go heavy on the bleach mixture, it won't eat through the shirt.
June 12th, 2009 at 9:14 am -
I suggest cutting a stencil design in an acetate sheet and then, using a light layer of spray glue, pressing it onto the shirt. I made a bad-ass t-shirt to wear to a show two years ago this way! :) Still have it, too… still in pretty good condition. If you don't go heavy on the bleach mixture, it won't eat through the shirt.
June 12th, 2009 at 9:14 am -
I suggest cutting a stencil design in an acetate sheet and then, using a light layer of spray glue, pressing it onto the shirt. I made a bad-ass t-shirt to wear to a show two years ago this way! :) Still have it, too… still in pretty good condition. If you don't go heavy on the bleach mixture, it won't eat through the shirt.
June 12th, 2009 at 2:45 pm -
This would be so cool to use with a hand drawn stencil. Thanks, man. Totally gonna do this!
The web needs more simple DIY stuff like this. They're so practical and engaging.
June 12th, 2009 at 3:45 pm -
This would be so cool to use with a hand drawn stencil. Thanks, man. Totally gonna do this!
The web needs more simple DIY stuff like this. They're so practical and engaging.
June 12th, 2009 at 3:45 pm -
This would be so cool to use with a hand drawn stencil. Thanks, man. Totally gonna do this!
The web needs more simple DIY stuff like this. They're so practical and engaging.
June 13th, 2009 at 2:43 pm -
Good stuff. I remember this from junior high.
You have essentially shown how to make a positive and a negative.
How about doing it with some nifty stencils? that would be cool.
June 13th, 2009 at 3:43 pm -
Good stuff. I remember this from junior high.
You have essentially shown how to make a positive and a negative.
How about doing it with some nifty stencils? that would be cool.
June 13th, 2009 at 3:43 pm -
Good stuff. I remember this from junior high.
You have essentially shown how to make a positive and a negative.
How about doing it with some nifty stencils? that would be cool.
June 14th, 2009 at 10:59 am -
Could you use a different ratio of bleach to water to get lighter or darker stripes?
June 14th, 2009 at 11:59 am -
Could you use a different ratio of bleach to water to get lighter or darker stripes?
June 14th, 2009 at 11:59 am -
Could you use a different ratio of bleach to water to get lighter or darker stripes?
June 15th, 2009 at 3:09 am -
Cool, I will remember this next time I want to dress up like Dennis the Menace!
June 15th, 2009 at 4:09 am -
Cool, I will remember this next time I want to dress up like Dennis the Menace!
June 15th, 2009 at 4:09 am -
Cool, I will remember this next time I want to dress up like Dennis the Menace!
June 15th, 2009 at 11:46 am -
ive done this before but i used ceder branches just layed over top of the shirt and it looked amazing
June 15th, 2009 at 12:15 pm -
Awesome! I'm totally going to try this!
June 15th, 2009 at 12:46 pm -
ive done this before but i used ceder branches just layed over top of the shirt and it looked amazing
June 15th, 2009 at 12:46 pm -
ive done this before but i used ceder branches just layed over top of the shirt and it looked amazing
June 15th, 2009 at 1:15 pm -
Awesome! I'm totally going to try this!
June 15th, 2009 at 1:15 pm -
Awesome! I'm totally going to try this!
June 15th, 2009 at 10:54 pm -
Thanks Guys! I tried out this technique last night and it worked out amazingly. Check out photos here – http://twurl.nl/wjllxa
June 15th, 2009 at 11:17 pm -
Wow! That's some intricate bleaching/taping. Turned out great!
June 15th, 2009 at 11:54 pm -
Thanks Guys! I tried out this technique last night and it worked out amazingly. Check out photos here – http://twurl.nl/wjllxa
June 15th, 2009 at 11:54 pm -
Thanks Guys! I tried out this technique last night and it worked out amazingly. Check out photos here – http://twurl.nl/wjllxa
June 16th, 2009 at 12:17 am -
Wow! That's some intricate bleaching/taping. Turned out great!
June 16th, 2009 at 12:17 am -
Wow! That's some intricate bleaching/taping. Turned out great!
June 17th, 2009 at 8:57 am -
wowww!!! i like that… maybe i should try!!!
June 17th, 2009 at 9:57 am -
wowww!!! i like that… maybe i should try!!!
June 17th, 2009 at 9:57 am -
wowww!!! i like that… maybe i should try!!!
June 18th, 2009 at 2:20 am -
Just made these tonight. Didn't have a plan before we made them but they still turned out awesome.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36546799@N03/36381...
June 18th, 2009 at 3:20 am -
Just made these tonight. Didn't have a plan before we made them but they still turned out awesome.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36546799@N03/36381...
June 18th, 2009 at 3:20 am -
Just made these tonight. Didn't have a plan before we made them but they still turned out awesome.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36546799@N03/36381...
June 18th, 2009 at 3:20 am -
Just made these tonight. Didn't have a plan before we made them but they still turned out awesome.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36546799@N03/36381...
June 18th, 2009 at 9:35 am -
That's pretty sweet!
June 18th, 2009 at 9:35 am -
That's gnarly!
June 18th, 2009 at 10:35 am -
That's pretty sweet!
June 18th, 2009 at 10:35 am -
That's pretty sweet!
June 18th, 2009 at 10:35 am -
That's pretty sweet!
June 18th, 2009 at 10:35 am -
That's gnarly!
June 18th, 2009 at 10:35 am -
That's gnarly!
June 18th, 2009 at 10:35 am -
That's gnarly!
June 18th, 2009 at 12:17 pm -
Thanks for the advice…
But could you also tell me how to build a time machine so I can beam back to 1993 when these nasty looking T-shirts were cool. Who the >*&% whats to wear a tie dyed Tee.
June 18th, 2009 at 12:17 pm -
Thanks for the advice…
But could you also tell me how to build a time machine so I can beam back to 1993 when these nasty looking T-shirts were cool. Who the >*&% whats to wear a tie dyed Tee.
June 18th, 2009 at 12:17 pm -
Thanks for the advice…
But could you also tell me how to build a time machine so I can beam back to 1993 when these nasty looking T-shirts were cool. Who the >*&% whats to wear a tie dyed Tee.
June 22nd, 2009 at 7:06 pm -
I spray on hydrogen peroxide as a 'stop bath' to kill the bleach, this allows you to control how long the bleach works as well.
June 29th, 2009 at 9:54 am -
you can use electric dishwashing liquid with a paint brush. It won't damage the fibers as much, you can leave it on for up to an hour!
July 1st, 2009 at 1:16 pm -
freezer paper FTW, iron it on an just peel it post bleach
July 7th, 2009 at 3:35 pm -
(: thanks i'm wearing one now.
it isn't weakened by the bleach.. it's great!
i'm going to do another now.. haha
July 7th, 2009 at 4:35 pm -
(: thanks i'm wearing one now.
it isn't weakened by the bleach.. it's great!
i'm going to do another now.. haha
July 22nd, 2009 at 9:03 pm -
I guess I'm a little late posting, but I made a couple to shirts using the technique and they turned out great, especially for a first try. Just used a little bit of spray adhesive and acetate…
http://www.bravetheago.com/blog/?p=148
Thanks for this one!
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:09 pm -
Would the effect be different if the shirt has a different color? say, blue? :]
May 5th, 2010 at 4:14 am -
Thanks for this nice work!
dizi izle
May 18th, 2010 at 1:03 am -
Great post!
dizi izle
July 14th, 2010 at 6:47 pm -
I just tried this, had been meaning to give it a go for a while. I used a dark grey t shirt and mixed about 60% water to 40% bleach. My t shirt turned color very quickly, within a minite or so. I found that if you wet the t shirt before applying bleach it takes a lot longer and gives you more time to get the look you want. I would reccommend wetting it before applying bleach. The shirt turned out great though! Just what I wanted.
August 22nd, 2010 at 4:53 pm -
Thanks for the advice, this was a great project with my son. One word of caution: wear clothes that you don't care about! I trashed a shirt and a pair of shorts inadvertently during the project.