Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV) requires heat, time, and pressure in order to become firmly affixed to the fabric. Most HTV comes with recommended settings on the packaging but in the absence of packaging, look online for the type of vinyl you think you have and use those settings.
Heat presses are made for doing this type of transfer and can be programmed in order to make getting the times and temperatures right easier.
Cricut
Mpress
Set up Workspace
Always press on a sturdy, stable foundation
Avoid pressing on heat-sensitive surfaces
Protect your work surface with a pressing mat or thick bath towel
Avoid seams, buttons, zippers, and any sort of bump that could scratch the surface of the heat press.
Set up Material
Lay material out on a sturdy, flat, heat-resistant surface.
If working on a T-shirt or other thing with multiple layers, place parchment paper or heat-resistant mat between the layers.
Place HTV in position on the material.
Make sure any registration marks or areas that should not be transferred have a shield between them and the material.
Set up Heat Press
Press the Power Button to turn on/heat-up.
To set temperature, press the Temperature Button and use +/- to adjust.
To set time, press Time Button and use +/- to adjust.
Place heat press on material.
To start countdown, press the Go Button.
Using the handle on the heat press, press down on it.
It will beep to signal that time is up. Lift heat press and return it to the safety base.
Press the Power Button to turn off.
Tip: The heat press will auto-off after 13 minutes of inactivity.
Power switch is on the left side of the base. After it’s powered on, it will display the main screen. The main screen will show the currently set temperature and time.
Press “SET” to switch to “SH” mode. Here you can set the desired temperature. Use the “▲” and “▼” buttons to increase or decrease this value.
Press “SET” to switch to “ST” mode. Here you can set the timer. Use the “▲” and “▼” buttons to increase or decrease the seconds. Press set to return to the Main Screen.
Pressure is set by adjusting the knob on the top. Left for less pressure, right for more pressure.
Set up material
Make sure there is a silicon mat or parchment paper below the material, between layers of the material if needed, and between the HTV and the upper plate of the heat press.
Caution: the heat press will start heating as soon as it’s powered on! Be careful of your knuckles and fingers when setting up material.
Wait for the heat press to come up to temperature
Use the handle to lower the top and lock it in place.
It will beep and start counting down.
When time is up, it will beep. Lift the handle and remove material.
Power off the heat press when you’re done using it!
HTV varies in how soon after heating that the carrier sheet can be removed. The two categories are known as Hot Peel and Cold Peel. Hot or Warm peel varieties can be peeled when the material is still hot or warm to the touch. Cold peel varieties require the material to be air temperature, cool, or cold before the carrier sheet is removed.
Tip: It is always safe to wait until the material has cooled all the way before peeling the carrier sheet off.
Wait until the product is the correct temperature and safe to touch. Then, start from one corner of the design and peel the carrier sheet up as you move across the design. As you go, make sure that the vinyl underneath is staying down. If it’s not, press the carrier sheet back down, press the material again, and wait until the product is cooler before trying to peel it off again.
Always wait the recommended time between applying the vinyl and washing the product. If you don’t have the packaging or it doesn’t provide a recommendation, wait 24-48 hours before washing the product.
