DIY Coloring T-Shirts for Kids (The Cutest Gift & Activity for Any Occasion!)

Kids LOVE coloring — but coloring on a T-shirt? That’s next-level fun. This DIY coloring T-shirt project has become one of my go-to kid gifts because it works for birthdays, Christmas, playdates, classroom parties, or anytime you need a budget-friendly activity that keeps little hands busy.

You can DIY everything from scratch (I’ll show you how using both a Cricut/Cameo machine method, or at-home printer). They’re cute, customizable, and always a hit — trust me, I’ve gifted these to nieces, nephews, friends’ kids… everyone asks for more.

Below you’ll find:
✔ Supplies
✔ Two easy transfer methods
✔ Decal Sizing Chart
✔ My best pro tips (like decal sizing + avoiding smearing!)
✔ Fun ways to use or gift them
✔ Free printable coloring page T-shirt designs

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Supplies You Need for DIY Coloring T-Shirts

To make DIY coloring t-shirts, you’ll need the following supplies:

The Basic Supplies (needed for both options):

• Plain White T-Shirts:
  • Choose 100% cotton or a high-cotton blend. Cotton absorbs fabric marker ink beautifully and won’t smear.
  • Avoid sublimation-style, slippery, shiny polyester — the ink tends to streak and bead instead of soaking in.

• Fabric Paint Markers: Any permanent, non-washable fabric marker set works, but the markers linked are my favorite.
• Basic Iron or heat press
• parchment paper (optional for HTV, but recommended)

Additional Supplies for the Cricut / Silhouette HTV Method

This option gives you a crisp black outline the kids can color inside.

• Black Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV) – or any dark color
• Cricut or Cameo cutting machine
• Standard grip mat
• Weeding tools

Additional Supplies for the At-Home Printed Transfer Method

This lets you skip the cutting machine.

• Inkjet iron-on transfer paper for light fabrics (these work best for coloring)
• Home inkjet printer

Note: With printable transfers, kids can color on the design, but it must be a transfer paper designed for light fabrics with a matte finish. Thick, glossy transfers won’t take marker well.

How to Make Coloring Page T-Shirts
(Two Easy Methods)

⮕ Click to skip to the at-home printer method

METHOD 1: Cricut or Cameo HTV Coloring T-Shirt

This DIY coloring page t-shirt method is the most durable option and gives you a clean, coloring-book-style outline.

Step 1 — Choose Your Design

• Grab one of my free coloring page T-shirt designs, or design your own using a tool like Canva.
• Remove any background color from your design and download as a PNG with transparent background (if you grab my designs, this step is already done for you!)

Step 2 — Set Up Your Design

• Import your design into Cricut Design Space or Silhouette Studio and size it to fit your shirt (see sizing chart).
• Extremely important. HTV must be mirrored or your graphic will press backward — especially disastrous if you included text.

Step 3 — Cut + Weed

• Load your HTV onto your mat shiny side down
• Send your design to cut using these settings
  • Cricut: use the “Iron-On” setting (or “Smooth Heat Transfer Material” in Design Space), on Blade 3, Speed 8, Force 6, but always do a test cut first
  • Cameo: Select “Heat Transfer, Smooth” preset in Silhouette Studio, then adjust to Blade Depth: 1-2, Force: 4-10, and Speed: 4-8, always performing a test cut to ensure it cuts the vinyl but not the carrier sheet
• weed out the negative space so only the outline remains.

Step 4 — Press Your Coloring Page Design Onto the Shirt

• Plug in your iron to heat up, and ensure the settings are on a no-steam setting and set for your shirt material
• Place your outline where you want it.
• Cover with parchment/Teflon. (Note, I didn’t in the picture above, but it’s recommended!)
• Press your iron down onto your design with FIRM pressure for about 10 seconds before releasing.
• Repeat this action over each section of the decal until the full decal has been firmly pressed.

Step 5 — Peel Backer & Let Cool Completely

• Let cool slightly, then test-peel the carrier sheet:
  • If the design lifts → lay it back down and press again with more pressure for several seconds.
  • If it releases cleanly → you’re good!

• Let cool completely. This helps the adhesive fully set before kids start coloring.

METHOD 2: At-Home Printable Transfer Coloring T-Shirt

This method is quick and beginner-friendly.

Step 1 — Choose Your Design

• Grab one of my free coloring page T-shirt designs, or design your own using a tool like Canva.
• Remove any background color from your design and download as a PNG with transparent background (if you grab my designs, this step is already done for you!)

Step 1 — Print Your Coloring Outline

Use matte light-fabric transfer paper (these absorb marker ink).
Print on your inkjet printer.

Step 2 — Trim if Needed

Some transfers require cutting around the design; others are full-sheet.

Step 3 — Press Onto the Shirt

Follow your transfer paper instructions.
Firm pressure is key, repeating on every section of your design!

Step 4 — Let Cool Completely

For best coloring results, wait until the transfer is fully cooled and set.

Note: Printable transfers will not be as washproof as HTV outlines — but for party activities and kid gifts, they’re perfect.

Coloring T-Shirt Decal Sizing Guide
(So Your Design Actually Fits the Shirt!)

A good rule of thumb: Your outline should be big enough for kids to color, but not so big that it wraps under the arms.

Best Coloring T-Shirt Decal Sizes

Expert Tips for Better Coloring T-Shirts

1. Apply VERY Firm Pressure When Pressing

This is the #1 reason designs fail.
Press hard and evenly — especially with a household iron.

2. Always Do a Test Peel

Lift a small corner of the carrier sheet while it’s still warm:

• If the vinyl lifts → press again
• If it stays down → continue peeling slowly

3. Let the Shirt Cool Completely Before Coloring or Packaging

Warm vinyl = soft adhesive.
Cool vinyl = fully cured and ready for markers.

4. Choose the Right Garment Fabric

✔ 100% cotton = best for fabric markers
✔ Cotton/poly blends = fine
❌ Sublimation-style slippery polyester = ink smears and streaks
❌ Glitter, ribbed, textured fabrics = hard to color on

5. Mirror Your Design (HTV Method Only)

Unless you want a backward graphic, you MUST mirror your file.
Especially important if:

• There is text
• The design includes directional elements
• Kids might notice details facing the wrong way

6. Include Fabric Markers with the Gift

If you’re gifting these for Christmas or birthdays, toss in a small set of fabric markers so the child can start designing immediately.

Fun Ways to Use Coloring Page T-Shirts

Birthday Party Activity

Set up a “Color Your Own Shirt” station.
It’s the perfect indoor affordable birthday party activity! And you’ll be the coolest parent on the block — guaranteed.

Gift Idea for a Creative Kid

These make adorable kids Christmas gifts or birthday gifts.
Pair with markers and a marker case, and you’ve got a full kit ready to gift!

Kids Classroom or Play Date Activity

Teachers, troop leaders, and youth organizers love these because:

• They keep kids busy for a LONG time
• They’re mess-free
• Kids get a keepsake they actually use

Perfect for holiday parties, end-of-year celebrations, and art days.

Why Everyone Will Love These Coloring T-Shirts

They’re creative.
They’re interactive.
They’re budget-friendly.
And they give kids a chance to make something that feels uniquely theirs.

Whether you’re planning a party, making DIY Christmas gifts, or just need a rainy-day craft that doesn’t involve glitter (bless), coloring T-shirts are always a hit.

If you make these, tag me — I LOVE seeing your creations!

Free Printable Coloring Page T-Shirt Designs

I’ve created a whole bundle of kid-friendly, color-in shirt outlines (pictured above!)

👉 Download them ALL using the form below!