Prepping for iron-on (HTV) For apparel blanks like t-shirts, hoodies, jeans, or anything else you will likely machine wash in the future, we recommend pre-washing the blank without fabric softener to pre-shrink the garment and remove chemicals that may prohibit strong adhesion.
Yes, you can wash before sublimating. You will have better results either way if you thoroughly lint roller the area you are sublimating before applying the transfer.
Turn down the heat on your washer and dryer. Wash your t-shirt in cool water and tumble it dry on a low setting, even if it takes a little longer. Too much heat will warp and peel your design; heat transfer vinyl obviously responds to higher temperatures, so keep it cool to extend its life.
Prepping for iron-on (HTV)
For apparel blanks like t-shirts, hoodies, jeans, or anything else you will likely machine wash in the future, we recommend pre-washing the blank without fabric softener to pre-shrink the garment and remove chemicals that may prohibit strong adhesion.
Wait at least 24 hours before washing
If you wash and dry too soon, there's a good chance the HTV could peel or crack.
Though HTV is designed to withstand washing and normal wear, excessive washing with harsh detergents, high heat settings, or rough handling can weaken the adhesive bond over time, leading to peeling.
The ideal temperature to use for heat transfer vinyl is between 260 ℉ to 315 ℉ (130 ℃ to 160 ℃) using medium pressure. It's important to read the product description of the heat press product before doing any work.
If the HTV doesn't stick to the garment, increase the pressure of your heat press. The presence of a coating on the fabric could also be the reason why vinyl doesn't stick to the garment is the presence of a coating on the fabric, generally water-repellent or antimicrobial products.
Any type of clothing can be washed, including clothing that has been sublimated. You have two options: hand-wash them or put them in the washing machine. Read this article to find out which washing technique is best for you based on the fabric that your sublimation clothing is made of.
When using a washing machine, make sure to put it on the gentlest cycle, ideally on the delicate setting. You don't need to use detergent when pre-washing fabric, but if you choose to do so, then use around one quarter of the amount that you usually use to launder clothing.
The reason we peel it off is because we're going to sublimate directly onto the vinyl BEFORE we press it onto the shirt. It can be easier to line up your design when you're placing the HTV on the sublimation paper. Take your printed sublimation sheet and place the HTV on it, adhesive side up.
If you don't, the fabric will fray, and all the threads will create a giant, tangled mess. You can actually lose a few inches of yardage if you skip this step.
TIP 1: Pre-Press Your Garment Before You Apply Your Design
The amount of time required would vary depending on the garment, but for 100% cotton t-shirt would tend to be around 5-10 seconds, and poly-cotton polo shirts and hoodies would be 10-15 seconds.
Once it's finished, the tub fills with a new batch of water to continue the wash cycle you've selected and finish the chore of completely washing your clothing. How Long Will the Pre-Wash Cycle Take? The added feature cycles for less than 5 minutes.
Time, temperature and pressure are all extremely important factors when applying HTV, so do check all of these factors are correct for each vinyl you use. Time – If your pressing time is too long or too short it will cause HTV to peel away from your garment.
A: This htv vinyl is cold peel, which means to wait until the vinyl is no longer hot to peel the vinyl away after ironing on.
Generally, heat transfer vinyl can last up to 50 wash cycles. This means roughly one to two years depending on the frequency of usage. Some HTV designs even last for 50 to 100 wash cycles. It all comes down to the quality of the film and maintenance of heat transfer vinyl after application.
Another benefit of Siser Easyweed is its long-lasting durability. It won't fade, crack, or peel when properly applied and cared for, unlike cheaper products. Siser Easyweed is 0.09 mm thick and works well with cotton or linen-blend fabrics, making it the top choice for t-shirt vinyl.
Using your hands or your carrier sheet, lay the HTV to your desired location. Grab your Teflon sheet or the material of your choice and place it on top of the HTV. Apply steady pressure and heat using your heat press or the household iron. Peel the carrier sheet off.
Well applying HTV is kind of like baking. You don't want to over or under do it since peeling can be caused by both a too short press and too long.
Finally, even if a tag mentions it is okay to iron a garment, never iron the decoration! Many printing processes use heat to bond the decoration to the shirt. Touching a hot iron to the design could severely (and permanently) damage the print.