FAQ/ List

What Fabrics Heat Transfer Vinyl Will Not Work On?

Synthetic fabrics are not recommended for use with iron-on films. This means material such as nylon, acrylic and leather should be avoided.  Any man-made or synthetic garments, generally, will risk melting under heat pressure!

Avoid using HTV on anything such as paper, plastic, lace, satin as they will not be able to withstand the heat.

We do not recommend to use heat transfer vinyl onto knitted garments and materials with an uneven or rough surface.

As a general rule, we do recommend that you consider running a test print and press before you oversee a large production run.

What Fabrics Will Vinyl Work On?

Iron-on vinyl transfer products work best on 100% cotton fabrics, but can also be used on simple polyester.  As a natural fibre, cotton is perfect for allowing t-shirt vinyl to easily adhere and remain for use after use and wash after wash.

Cotton and polyester blends will also withstand heat and will work well with heat press vinyl, which means you may even be able to get really creative and start printing on complex garments and apparel such as caps and scarves!

Some polyester, however, may not respond well to some heat products.  The vast majority of our heat transfer vinyl is designed and produced to adhere to such material, however, and providing you set your heat press to no more than 270˚F / 130˚C, you will run no risk of melting the fabric.

As a general rule, we do recommend that you consider running a test print and press before you oversee a larger production run.

How Long Does Heat Transfer Vinyl Last?

Good heat press vinyl and vinyl printing will endure years and years of use.  While poor quality or even cheap vinyl may be subject to scratching, flaking and peeling through regular use and washing.

The vinyl products we supply are guaranteed to withstand regular wear and tear and regular washing.  In many cases, iron-on transfers can last longer than many garment materials!

To be able to prolong the life of your vinyl or iron-on transfer design, you should always take extra care when ironing and washing your garments.  Improper or hurried ironing technique may lead to damage or faster deterioration of your artwork.

You must also NEVER use garments with heat press vinyl in a dryer – and you should always turn your clothing inside out and wash on cold to mid-range heat (40˚C at most).  These are good steps to take to ensure that your garments withstand years of use and enjoyment.

If for some reason HTV transfer slightly peeled off after washing then you can heat press or iron it over again and it will stick back. Don’t forget to use a protective sheet.

Do I Need To Wash Material Before Printing?

You won’t always need to wash clothing before you prepare it for heat transfer vinyl, however, it is recommended that you pre-shrink the fabric as much as possible.  This means your t-shirts and other garments will be ready for an even pressing with craft vinyl/t-shirt vinyl for the best results.  100% cotton products, particularly, respond well to pre-shrinking.

However, make sure that you DO NOT use fabric softeners on garments before you use heat transfer vinyl.  Heat press vinyl may not be effective on clothing or material that has been exposed to such detergents. This means a straightforward wash – perhaps even just with warm water in a basin or in a washing machine – will be enough in terms of preparation required.

What Is A Pressing Pillow?

A pressing pillow is a tool that can be used if you are printing designs onto complex materials or items of clothing which require a little more care.  These are foam-filled pillows that are coated in Teflon and are therefore perfect for iron-on or heat transfer.

They will be able to help you transfer your designs with maximum protection.  They are ideal when it comes to making sure you apply even pressure and are great for ironing over shirt seams, hat rims and more.  If you are likely to print designs and lettering on a range of products in future, you should certainly consider investing in a pressing pillow.

Is There A Risk I Might Burn My Transfer?

This is a common concern for anyone starting out with heat transfer vinyl and with transferring designs to fabric. It’s a legitimate one.

The best advice we can give with regard to avoiding transfer burning is to consider applying a test press before you do transfer any logos or writing for real.

Beyond this, it is always good practice to use a lower temperature than you might start with.  This way, you can make sure you are under-heating your design as opposed to over-heating it.

Another good strategy to use to avoid spoiling or burning is to move around your iron slowly if you are using one.

A heat press will be able to support you with overall pressure that will minimise burning.  It is another great reason to invest in a professional heat press, more so if you are going to print and press designs regularly!

Do I Need A Protective Sheet While Ironing?

Yes. Whether you are using an iron or another type of press, you should always have a protective sheet in place to cover your design.

When you are using a simple domestic iron, you can use something as straightforward as a cloth, towel or even baking paper.

If you are using a heat press or something more advanced, you should consider using a protective Teflon sheet or something more rigid.

A tea towel or cloth, however, may generally provide you with the protection you need.

How Long Should I Press For During The Heat Transfer?

This can depend on the type of textile films you are using, and the temperature, however, an even press of around 10-15 seconds is normally advisable.

In some cases, materials can be tricky and the vinyl doesn’t stick because each heat transfer vinyl type and material together work differently.

As a general rule, we recommend testing press any designs you print to ensure you find the best rhythm and process for the results you desire.

Will I Need A Heat Press?

Generally, a heat press is advised for all t-shirt vinyl.  However, it can depend on the size and complexity of the design you wish to use or print.  You may be able to use a simple household iron if your design or lettering can fit underneath.  If not, however, you will likely need to consider investing in a heat press machine.

A heat press can be an amazing asset to regular vinyl printing and design pressing.  It is generally advised that you should purchase one if you are to use heat transfer sheets regularly, or if you are likely to be working with larger designs more often than simple logos.

Using a heat press is recommended as it is crucial that you will need to apply equal pressure across your design and vinyl sheet.  Failure to apply equal pressure throughout may result in results that aren’t what you expect!  As always, we do recommend that you consider running a test print and press before you oversee a larger production run.

What Side Should Go Down Onto Fabric?

HTV / transfer vinyl has two distinct sides, and you should always place it glossy side down for printing.  The matte side should be facing up.  The glossy side is sometimes called the ‘carrier’, and it is responsible for aligning the vinyl and adhesive.