Hey there, friends!
New to the cutting machine world and wanting to learn more about vinyl? I’ve got you covered! In this post I’ll explain:
•brief explanation of vinyl types with a focus on HTV
•supplies you’ll need
•how to cut HTV
•some tips and tricks when using this vinyl
Let’s get started!
Alright, so you own a cutting machine, whether Cricut or Silhouette, and you want to get started with vinyl! Or maybe you’re thinking about getting a machine and want to learn what it’s all about first. Believe it or not, vinyl is one of the easiest things to work with. When I first started out with my machine (I have a Cricut Maker)
I tried different materials like paper and faux leather. When I started using vinyl, I was surprised how easy it was! There are 3 main types of vinyl: HTV, permanent, and removable. For my quick guide to each of these, click here.
In this post, I’ll specifically focus on HTV, or heat transfer vinyl. Check out my post about permanent and removable vinyl here. HTV is also called iron on vinyl. HTV vinyl is for fabric and for some types of wood. This is the vinyl for t-shirts, bags, other clothing, and canvas. You can use it on cotton, polyester, rayon, and more. This is probably the most popular vinyl used and the favorite out of the 3.
Let’s talk about the materials you will need to work with this material. Besides the vinyl and the Cricut mat, you will need:
Weeder (to pull up the negative vinyl from your design
Measuring tape or stick
Parchment paper
Heat press
Whatever you are putting the design on (shirt, bag, etc)
Now, lots of newbies ask, “Do I really need a heat press or can I just use a regular iron?”
Let me tell you from experience: You definitely want a heat press instead of an iron.
Here’s why:
Your iron may be able to get super hot, but if you don’t get an even amount of pressure all the way across your design, the vinyl is not going to sink into the fabric. It may look good, but when you go to wash it, the vinyl will start to peel up. This is exactly what happened to me when I made my first shirt, and it was so discouraging to put all that work into designing, cutting, weeding, and pressing, not to mention the money spent, just for the vinyl to start coming off. So please, take it from me. There are different sites out there that will tell you how it can work with just an iron, but it’s never worked for me. Save yourself the trouble and frustration and buy a heat press. It doesn’t have to be a Cricut heat press. There are several good options you can find on Amazon for a decent price. You can get an industrial or just a handheld. Just trust me and get you one!
If you’re still on the fence, think about this: it may be a bit of an investment up front, but in the long run, you will make your money back fairly quickly. I’ve mainly just done shirts for family and friends, and have already made my money back (and I have the Cricut heat press 12x10 that cost me $199). Also think about this, if you are trying to make this your focus and sell shirts and similar items as a side business, and if you’re using an iron, it’s going to cost you more in the long run because you will either have to keep fixing the person’s shirt, or people just won’t buy your shirts once they start peeling up. So I definitely think the heat press is worth it.
Alright , let’s move on!
Once you have picked your design and are ready to cut, you click make just like you would for other projects. The biggest thing to remember when cutting HTV is to lay the vinyl shiny side down and MIRROR THE IMAGE!
You have to lay the vinyl shiny side down because it has what they call the carrier sheet attached to it. This is the plastic film that the vinyl is attached to. If you lay the vinyl shiny side up, it will cut through the plastic carrier sheet. You need that carrier sheet to be able to transfer the vinyl to the shirt and, because it’s sticky on the back, it sticks to the fabric and stays in place when you go to press it.
There is an option when you go into the mat settings to mirror. It’s a little button that you press. You have to mirror for iron on, otherwise your design will be backwards when you cut it.
Once you have cut your design out, you weed it and then it’s ready to press. This is where you use the measuring tape or ruler. There are also alignment tools specially made for shirts and bags and such if you want those.
Place your design however you want it to look, and then get your heat press ready.
If you’re not sure what temperature to set your press to, Cricut has a heat guide you can access here.
The heat guide asks you to select your HTV vinyl type and what material you are using. It will then give you the temperature and the time to press. It also gives instructions on how to prepare your press, including supplies needed, and care instructions.
The only downside to the Cricut heat guide is that it’s assuming your using Cricut brand products (aka, their press, vinyls, and materials).
Whether you’re using their products or not, it’s still a great resource.
Once you have your heat press ready to go, you will want to first prep your shirt by getting it as smooth as possible. You can use your heat press to clear out any wrinkles in the fabric where you are putting your design. Just simply press the area for 5 seconds. When you start pressing your design, you want to make sure it’s lined up correctly, and double check everything. Once you start pressing, the vinyl automatically starts attaching to the fabric .
Before you press, lay the parchment paper over your design. Use a piece the size of the heat press surface. You use parchment paper to protect the fabric from getting scorched.
Once you have pressed the full amount of time, you will want to wait until the vinyl cools a little (most of the time, just a few seconds will be fine. Although there are some vinyls where you have to wait until completely cooled.)
After you’ve pressed your design, flip the material over and press the back for 15 seconds. This helps adhere the fabric onto the vinyl.
HTV can also be used on some wood pieces, but they have to be smooth flat pieces. You still put vinyl shiny side down, mirror your design image, and use the parchment paper in between.
There you have it! That’s the basics of HTV vinyl.
Want to get updates on all things Hobby Lobby Mama? Subscribe to my email list!
ความคิดเห็น