VINYL CUTTER

You will need a Vinyl Cutter to get started. Vinyl Cutters are pieces of equipment that connect to your computer via a USB cable or Wi-Fi in some cases. The vinyl cutter receives cut file information sent from software installed on your computer, and then using a drag knife will cut the chosen design into the heat transfer vinyl.

There are many brands available to choose from including USCutter branded vinyl cutting machines including the MH series , SC Series , LaserPoint, Titan, and PrismCut series to other brands including Silhouette Cameo, Roland, Graphtec and Mimaki. With so many variations from small craft and desktop style vinyl cutters to large format machines, choosing the correct one can be a tough decision. We recommend reviewing our Buying Guide or reaching out to our Sales team if you need assistance or have questions regarding vinyl cutter selection.

HEAT PRESS

To activate the adhesive on Heat Transfer Vinyl in order to apply it to fabric, you will need to use a Heat Press or a Household Iron. It is recommended to use a heat press to guarantee proper heat and pressure distribution across the design. While it is possible to apply most Heat Transfer Vinyl with an Iron, it will take longer as you do not have a digital temperature read out, or the added pressure of a piece of equipment. Be prepared to use a lot of elbow grease to apply pressure to ensure the edges of the material seal properly.

When looking at Heat Presses, there are a lot of options such as Auto-Opening or Manual Opening and styles like Clamshell, Swing-Arm, and Multi-Purpose. For this post we will be focusing on the two main types of heat presses Clamshell, and Swing-Arm. These names refer to how the heat press opens and closes, as well as lateral mobility. While certain applications recommend Swing-Arm over Clamshell heat presses, for the purpose of applying Heat Transfer Vinyl either will work.

Often times choosing between a Swing-Arm or Clamshell Heat Press comes down to available space. Clamshell heat presses are more compact and only open vertically. While Swing-Arm heat presses open vertically, but the top plate can be moved left or right so it is not directly over the bottom plate. This comes in handy when laying out your garment, and placing the design as it opens up the work area as opposed to a Clamshell Heat Press whose opening is tall in the front, but very short in the back and those not paying attention may touch the top platen with their knuckles which can result in a slight burn.