How To: HTV BASICS

Hey Ya'll!

This blog is 2 parts, in the first (top) section I'll go over how to with the Cricut. In the second part, it'll be more basic information about HTV/iron on vinyl.

For this HTV (heat transfer vinyl) how-to I'll be using:

My {Windows} PC (Cricut can also be used through mobile, tablet, laptop, ect. Android, Windows and Apple compatible, though some features are a bit different across the platforms.)

My Cricut & Design Space

Cricut 12x12 cutting mat

Cricut Weeding Tool

Cricut 9x9 Easy Press 

Rainbow Oil HTV by the Paper Studio from Hobby Lobby

Gildan Tee Shirt(s) from Bulk Apparel 

To begin load up Design Space and choose an SVG, create your own, or find one online. The options are endless. If interested in either a how to make your own, or my favorite sites for SVGs let me know in the comments below!

We're going to be working with my husbands (main) company logo, original artwork by Kevin Thompson, modified by me for use with the Cricut and to put on apparel. 

1) Open your design and size it to fit your "blank". This is going on an XL shirt so I chose to go close to max. The 12x12 actual cutting space is 11.5x11.5, similarly the 12x24 mat cuts 11.5x23.5, allowing a half inch mat space. 

2) Click "Make It". 

3) HTV goes on the mat shiny side (carrier sheet) DOWN. All iron on (HTV) projects need to be mirrored for that reason.

4) After I've made sure to mirror my design I move it a little further in and down on the mat on screen, I'd rather give myself a bit of leeway there than have it cut the design off.

5) Select your material, either by the dial on the Explore machines or on screen with the Maker.

6) Load your mat by pressing the arrow buttons. (There is no material on this mat, picture was taken after the fact.)

7)Click cut, the cute little cricut C.

Cutting in progress screen. Depending on the design, and size this could take several minutes. If you're doing a multi color design each color will be loaded on a separate mat. There is a hack around that depending on size(s) and if interested in that let me know in the comments below!

8) Cut has finished, unload the mat.

9) Click finish! This will take you back to design space and your image. 

The computer (phone, tablet, etc) portion is done, so if you want to save your work before closing out it will prompt you to do so. 

This is what my cut out looks like. Because this was so large I didn't have much excess to save, but if you've done a smaller cut use your scissors are cut around your design before weeding to save your vinyl for another project.

10) Weed you design. On these patterned vinyl's, or on white, I like to use my Ott Light so I can better see what I'm doing.

This task can be tedious depending on the design, but should pull up/weed fairly easy.  Some suggestions for if it's not: cut settings were wrong (read the instructions with each brand you're using), bad vinyl which is rare but does happen, or your design is just too small. Most of the time if there's an issue it's the cut not being deep enough. Test cutting with a new material is a great way to alleviate that issue.

11) Prep your material according to the HTV directions.

For this example using my Easy Press I pre-heated the shirt at 305 F for 15 seconds. This is done to get out the wrinkles, and any moisture that may be in the shirt.

12) Press! Since this design was bigger than my press I had to do it in sections. ( Not an issue with my new heat press, yay!) I did 305 F for 30s, in four sections paying close attention not to overlap and "burn" the design.

13) Some HTV is warm peel, some is cold peel, be sure to follow the directions there, as it does make a difference. Peel the carrier sheet, and it's done!

14) All finished! The Easy Press has an auto shut off feature, some heat presses do not, so I always manually shut it off to stay in the habit. If you haven't shut down design space you can do so now, or start your next project!

If you'd like more in depth about any of todays blog let me know! If you're new to Cricut (even if you're not) and make anything new share a link to your project(s) below, I'd love to check them out!

HTV Basics:

Heat transfer vinyl, or HTV for short, is a specialty vinyl polymer that can be used on certain fabrics and materials to create designs and promotional products. (aka Iron-On Vinyl)

Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV) is a material that's easily applied with a combination of heat, pressure, and time. HTV can be applied with a heat press, home iron, Cricut EasyPress, etc. Carriers (carrier sheet) are the plastic backing that comes attached on HTV, and is peeled after heating per manufactures directions.

1) Each brand & type of HTV/Iron-On has specific instructions from the manufacture. These can vary widely, so be sure to keep track of what you're using.

For example:

My top 3 brands heat guides~

Craftables HTV.

Cricut has their own website:

https://cricut.com/heatguide

Siser (North America) has a ton of valuable information on their website.

2) Most all HTV is going to be mirrored, and put on your cutting mat shiny side (carrier sheet) down.

There are a few exceptions to this, mostly with patterned HTV, but those brands will be well labeled. You'll need to purchase and add the carrier sheet (transfer mask) after cutting. I personally find this tedious and more of a hassle than I'm willing to do, so now I tend to stay away from the brands that require it.

3) You don't need to start off buying all the things.

You need a cutting machine, a blank item to add your HTV to,  a design, a sheet (or roll) of HTV, a heat source, and a weeding tool (It's extremely difficult without one).  

I've mentioned my favorite brands above, but there all all types of HTV.  Basics, Glitter, Puff, Glow in the Dark, Holographic, Patterned, Sun Changing, Reflective, Flock, Glossy, Matte, etc. The possibilities are almost endless with HTV, especially when you start layering.

Have a great day,

Craftin' Wife