When compared to traditional screen printing or heat transfer vinyl (HTV), sublimation on white HTV offers several advantages. Screen printing involves creating a separate screen for each color in the design, which can be time-consuming and expensive. HTV, on the other hand, can be limited in terms of the colors and designs that can be achieved. Sublimation on white HTV, however, offers unlimited color options and the ability to print intricate designs with ease. Although a domestic iron or hobby press could be used, to ensure that the HTV is properly applied to the garment, a heat press is strongly advised. This not only saves time, but ensures that the Heat Transfer Vinyl is applied at the HTV manufacturer’s recommended temperature, pressure and time to make the design last as long as the garment. A commercial heat press can be calibrated to these requirements and maximise your efficiency, whereas you will not be able to perform anything accurately with a hobby press, such as a Cricut EasyPress, or a domestic iron.

Testing your heat press can help you avoid uneven transfers or colors, which can be frustrating after you’ve completed your project. It’s also important to keep in mind that the temperature and pressure settings may vary depending on the ink and paper you use, so it’s important to test each combination. Cover the clear HTV with white butcher paper and press at 385° F (196° C) for 30 seconds using heavy pressure. Press down with both hands and use some of your body weight.

Finally, standard vinyls (e.g. Sportsfilm Extra, Premium Plus) are usually fine for over-laying, but Glitter Flake wouldn’t be due to the flakes in the HTV itself. However, this doesn’t mean that Glitter Flake couldn’t be applied over Sportsfilm Extra as it’s the top layer of the HTV which determines it’s suitability for over-laying. If you’re considering purchasing a heat press, our UK Heat Press Machine guide and Cricut EasyPress vs Stahls Heat Press UK guide are worth reading to gain a better understanding of the differences and help you to determine the best heat press to fit your requirements. Both types of vinyl require a plotter/cutter to cut the intended design, with the excess material “weeded away” (removed), but self-adhesive vinyl needs application mask if you want to keep different elements in the correct position. Heat transfer vinyl has a polyester-based, mylar carrier built into the product, so after its cut in reverse and weeded it’s ready to turn over and heat apply.

Effortless Application: Don't have professional equipment? No problem! Our Iron on vinyl is specifically designed for easy iron-on application. Simply cut your desired design, place it on your fabric, and iron it on. Voila! Achieve professional-looking results in minutes without any hassle! Next, place your printed and cut design face down on top of the layered HTV, making sure it’s properly aligned. The paper will be just slightly larger than the vinyl layers. Use heat-resistant tape to secure it.

Removing the Sublimated Design from White HTV

A vinyl cutter/plotter is needed to cut designs using HTV – Most start-up companies and hobbyists opt for a small cutter (such as a Silhouette Portrait, Silhouette Cameo or Cricut cutter) and more established companies opt for a Graphtec, Summa or Roland cutter due to the improved accuracy, speed, size and reliability.

When I say “cut file,” I mean the design that you want to cut from vinyl and put on your shirt or other surface. You could also use this same process for sports shirts and any elements you wanted to be reflective. You could add reflective HTV over a sublimation design the same way we did the white sublimation designs above. Remember that not all materials are created equally – There are some simple questions to ask to determine whether the brand is likely to be of good quality, such as; A: While some people will use just regular laser paper, I really recommend you use special sublimation paper for the best and most vibrant results and ink transfer. I used A-SUB paperduring my tests. A: When using an EasyPress, you’ll want to press your clear HTV at 385° F (196° C) for 30 seconds to apply it to your shirt, and then sublimate at the same temperature for 55 seconds.

Use a brayer to smooth the clear HTV - shiny side down - onto a clean green StandardGrip mat. The matte side should be facing up. Related: A Guide To Food Safe Paint: Definition, Regulations, Types, And Benefits Fading or Blurry Design

If you need a more stretchy HTV then Premium Plus Stretchable HTV Vinyl is a thin and durable, matt vinyl/flex which is perfect for sportswear, promotional wear and workwear alike. It’s also PVC and Phthalate-free which makes it more environmentally-friendly and more suitable for application onto kidswear. Most individuals that print onto childrenswear tend to opt for HTVs which are PU (polyurethane) rather than PVC-based and are certified to ensure that they don’t contain any substances which are considered harmful to human health. Based on this, we’re happy to confirm that all of the HTVs below are PVC-free and are also certified as OEKO-TEX Standard 100 compliant: If you’ve never used this kind of vinyl, don’t worry! My tutorial will guide you through the whole process of how to sublimate clear HTV so you end up with an awesome result the first time.

By following these steps to prepare the white HTV for sublimation, you can help to ensure a smooth and successful transfer process. With a little bit of care and attention to detail, you can achieve high-quality, professional-looking results that are sure to impress.