How to Use Heat Transfer/Iron-on Vinyl
by Inktrinx AnonymousHTV/Iron-on is a fun way to personalise gifts for friends like vinyl shirts, tote bags, and more. Ready to get crafting with heat transfer vinyl? Let’s do this!
Here are the steps to working with heat transfer vinyl:
Step 1: Prepare Cut File
Prepare your design to cut in the cutting machine software you are using. (If you do not have an electronic cutting machine like a Silhouette or Cricut, you can cut heat transfer vinyl by hand)
Prepare your design to cut in the cutting machine software you are using. (If you do not have an electronic cutting machine like a Silhouette or Cricut, you can cut heat transfer vinyl by hand)
Step 2: Mirror Design
Next, you need to mirror/flip your design horizontally. The reason that you need to mirror your design when working with HTV/Iron-on, you cut the design on the back side of the vinyl.
HTV has a clear plastic carrier sheet that covers the top of the vinyl, and the other side is where the heat-sensitive adhesive is (it is not sticky or tacky to the touch). You cut your design on the adhesive side, and then the clear plastic sheet on the other side holds your design in place until it is applied to your shirt or other surface. Hence, to make sure our design looks right when it is applied to the final surface, we need to first mirror or flip the design before cutting.
HTV has a clear plastic carrier sheet that covers the top of the vinyl, and the other side is where the heat-sensitive adhesive is (it is not sticky or tacky to the touch). You cut your design on the adhesive side, and then the clear plastic sheet on the other side holds your design in place until it is applied to your shirt or other surface. Hence, to make sure our design looks right when it is applied to the final surface, we need to first mirror or flip the design before cutting.
That’s it! Your design is now ready to cut.
Step 3: Cut Design from Heat Transfer Vinyl
Whatever mat and machine you are using, put your HTV glossy side down onto your mat so you will be cutting on the matte side. Remember, we are cutting on back side of the vinyl where the heat-sensitive adhesive is. This side will be more matte. The glossy side of the vinyl is the side with the clear plastic backing.
Step 3: Cut Design from Heat Transfer Vinyl
Whatever mat and machine you are using, put your HTV glossy side down onto your mat so you will be cutting on the matte side. Remember, we are cutting on back side of the vinyl where the heat-sensitive adhesive is. This side will be more matte. The glossy side of the vinyl is the side with the clear plastic backing.
Finally, adjust your cut settings to work with the material you are using. This process will be a little bit different for every cutting machine, but just make sure to choose the settings for the particular type of heat transfer vinyl you are using. We recommend doing a small test cut, especially when you are working with a new material to make sure the cut settings will work well with the material you are using before attempting to cut the entire design. When you are happy with your cut settings, load your cutting mat with the vinyl shiny side down into your machine, and cut!
Step 4: Weed out Excess Vinyl
Remove any excess vinyl from around your design that you do not want to be transferred to your final product.
Remove any excess vinyl from around your design that you do not want to be transferred to your final product.
Once you have all the excess vinyl removed from your design, you can flip it over and see how your final design will look through the clear plastic carrier. This is a good time to make sure you have weeded everything you don’t want to transfer to your final project.
Step 5: Iron
To activate the adhesive on the heat transfer vinyl, you need two things: heat and pressure, both of which we can get using an iron.
If possible, heat press or Cricut's easy press will work best, but you can work with whatever you have at home.
Position your design on your surface with the clear plastic carrier sheet on top so the design reads correctly.
Step 5: Iron
To activate the adhesive on the heat transfer vinyl, you need two things: heat and pressure, both of which we can get using an iron.
If possible, heat press or Cricut's easy press will work best, but you can work with whatever you have at home.
Position your design on your surface with the clear plastic carrier sheet on top so the design reads correctly.
Tip: Cover the plastic carrier sheet with a piece of parchment paper or thin cotton fabric. We find that this helps to protect the surface and keeps the vinyl from overheating or warping.
Press down on your iron and apply pressure to each part of the design for around 10-20 seconds. Some types of HTV will require more or less heat and time, so be sure to test the HTV on the material you are using. More time under the iron is not necessarily better as too much heat can melt the vinyl or ruin the adhesive. It’s also good to be aware of holes on the bottom of your iron. If your iron has holes on the bottom, be sure to move it around as you press to make sure each part of the design is getting heat and pressure.
Once you have given heat and pressure to each part of the design, you can slowly start to peel up the carrier sheet. If the vinyl starts to come up with the carrier sheet, then you need to re-place the carrier sheet and give it some more heat and pressure.
Once you have given heat and pressure to each part of the design, you can slowly start to peel up the carrier sheet. If the vinyl starts to come up with the carrier sheet, then you need to re-place the carrier sheet and give it some more heat and pressure.
Tip:
- After removing the plastic carrier sheet, you can flip your project upside down or inside out and apply some more heat to the backside to ensure a really good application.
- Allow the adhesive to cure for at least 24 hours before washing. Once it has been cured, it can be washed and dried. For best results, wash inside out with cold water and hang to dry or tumble dry on low.
Once the iron-on vinyl has been properly applied it is ready for wearing, using, and laundering. Happy Crafting!
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