Transfer paper is used in textiles and arts & crafts projects. Often, an ink-jet or other printer is used to print the image on transfer paper. Then a heat press can be used to transfer the image onto clothing, canvas, or other surface. Transfer paper is used in creating iron-ons.
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Inkjet transfer paper comes in two varieties: paper for light colored fabric or dark colored fabric. The light colored fabric variety cannot be used on dark fabrics because the paper is essentially transparent. An inkjet printer is not capable of printing white. So, anywhere that the image would have white, you will see straight through to the colour of the garment (i.e., if the garment is black, then where you would want white, would appear black). Inkjet transfer paper for dark coloured garments is NOT transparent. It is white. So unlike the process with transfer paper for light fabric, you do not print the image mirrored. You print it just the way it is, right reading on the paper with the white background. Now your image will be white where it is supposed to be. The washability for inkjet transfer paper is not as good as a screen printed shirt, but if you follow the washing instructions included with the paper, they will usually last plenty of washes.
Dye sublimation transfer paper is another good process for putting your image on a garment. Fabrics must be white or light in color. 100% polyester, poly/cotton mix (the garment should be at least 50% poly) microfibre & nylon can all be used. This process uses a special dye sublimation printer and ink. It actually switches the solid ink into a gas, never going through a liquid stage. So you never have to worry about waiting for your transfer sheet to dry. The dye sub process can also be used on ceramic, wood, glass, or metal as long as they have a polymer coating. There are a couple products out there now that will allow you to print onto a white sheet and then place that onto a dark garment. However, you would probably be better off just sticking with inkjet transfer paper if that is the route you are going to take.
Color Laser Transfer Paper is very similar to the Inkjet Transfer Paper process and allows the decoration of any combination of fabric blends including 50/50 poly/cotton blends as well as 100% cotton textiles. The durability of this Color Laser Transfer Paper is varies on the brand and quality of the transfer paper.