How To Use Heat Transfer Vinyl To Make Custom Designs

Heat transfer vinyl is a thin plastic material you can use to create custom textile products. With a few materials, you can start HTV printing at home.

Coca-Cola launched its now-famous Share a Coke campaign in 2011. The concept was simple—printing popular first names onto cans and bottles. The customized cans were a huge hit and the campaign, which started in Australia, expanded to more than 80 countries.

The success of the Share a Coke project is rooted in specificity and personal connection—not mass appeal. It doesn’t matter that a can with the name Liam is only relevant to a small percentage of consumers. What matters is that this product is hyper-relevant to this niche subset. 

While small businesses with limited resources may not be able to embark on a campaign of the same scale, it’s become easier than ever for any company—no matter how big or small—to create niche products. Small-scale production techniques and print-on-demand techniques—like heat transfer vinyl—have reduced the risk of creating specialized products like these.

Learn how to use heat transfer vinyl printing to make customized textile products like t-shirts and tote bags.

What is heat transfer vinyl?

Heat transfer vinyl (HTV) is a thin plastic material you can use to create custom textile products. It’s kind of like a giant, heat-activated sticker. You can buy HTV, sometimes called iron-on vinyl, in rolls or sheets and then cut them into stencils. You then apply the stencils to fabric to create bespoke designs. Each stencil is single-use. HTV contains sensitive polymers and applying heat melts these materials so that they become adhesive and fuse with fabric fibers.

HTV printing is versatile and accessible. Anyone can learn how to use heat transfer vinyl to make custom t-shirts or other textile goods. This production method works well for small-scale operations that want the flexibility to introduce new designs and create custom orders.

For larger companies, partnering with an HTV print-on-demand business can be an easy way to manufacture custom apparel without investing in a heat press. The flexible design processes and relatively inexpensive materials make heat transfer design printing an appealing option for anyone looking to get into the world of custom apparel.

What do you need for heat transfer vinyl?

There are several different ways to create custom HTV designs. Here are the essential tools you’ll need to get started, as well as a few bonus items for when you’re ready to take your printing to the next level:

• HTV sheets. HTV sheets are to heat transfer vinyl printing what ink is to screen printing. You can find HTV sheets online and at craft stores like Michaels and Hobby Lobby. They’re available in a wide range of colors and styles, including glitter, glow-in-the-dark, and printable options.

• Printing substrate. Your substrate is the item you will print on. HTV printing is compatible with a variety of fabrics, including cotton, polyester, canvas, denim, and blended fabrics.

• Cutting tools. You can cut heat transfer vinyl sheets with a fine point blade and cutting mat. Alternatively, you could use an automated vinyl cutter like a Cricut machine or a Silhouette to do the job.

• Weeding tools. A weeding tool or tweezers make it easier to remove small pieces of excess vinyl from intricate designs.

• Heat press. You can use a professional heat press machine or household iron to apply heat and activate vinyl transfer designs.

• Protective paper. Before transferring, printers often place a Teflon sheet or a piece of parchment paper over heat-transfer vinyl designs. This layer protects heat presses from damage and minimizes the risk of burning excess vinyl.

• Design software (optional). Graphic design tools or specialized cut software can simplify the stencil design process.

• Printer. You can use a standard inkjet printer to print images onto compatible HTV sheets.

How to use heat transfer vinyl

1. Create a design
2. Make a stencil
3. Weed the stencil
4. Prep the fabric
5. Place the design
6. Transfer
7. Let it rest

Heat transfer vinyl printing has a low barrier to entry. It’s easy to learn and doesn’t require a huge upfront financial investment. Learn how to start HTV printing at home and turn your t-shirt dreams into a reality:

1. Create a design

Select a photograph to print or create a new design. If you’re using a cutting machine, consider using stencil designing software like Gelato or Stencils Online to simplify the design process. These tools are specifically designed for stencil making, they’re more beginner-friendly than professional graphic design tools such as Photoshop. They also produce special cut files to send directly to a cutting machine. Alternatively, you can use any digital design software or a hand-drawn image. 

2. Make a stencil

Create a stencil by manually cutting your design into an HTV sheet or using a Cricut machine. For manual cutting, place your heat transfer vinyl sheet on a hard, flat surface before you start cutting. Be sure to mirror your design before printing and place your vinyl sheet carrier side down on your cutting mat.

For Cricut machines, consider making a test cut to verify your settings are correct before you begin printing. If you’re working with printable HTV, you can create a transfer sheet by printing an image onto a sheet with a standard inkjet printer.

3. Weed the stencil

Weeding is the process of removing excess vinyl from hand-cut or machine-cut stencils. This step ensures that only intended design elements transfer to your final product. For example, if you create an HTV stencil that simply reads “cool” in a cursive font, the weeding process would require removing the vinyl circle from the center of each “o.”

4. Prep the fabric

For the best results, start with clean, dry fabric. Use your iron or heat press to pre-press the fabric before applying your design—this will get rid of any traces of moisture and ensure you have a clean, smooth transfer surface. Running a lint roller over the fabric’s surface will help remove any loose fibers that could get stuck in the vinyl design.

5. Place the design

If you’re using a heat press, place your fabric on the heat plate. For transfers with household irons, choose a flat, stable, heat-proof surface. Avoid using an ironing board, which can lead to uneven pressure.

Set your HTV stencil adhesive side down on your fabric and cover it with parchment paper or a Teflon sheet. Consult the manufacturer’s instructions to see if your adhesive vinyl is hot peel or cold peel.

If your HTV sheet is hot peel, remove the clear carrier sheet at this stage. For cold peel vinyl, remove the carrier sheet once the final design has cooled. Double-check the positioning and alignment before you start transferring. At this point, your design should no longer be mirrored.

6. Transfer

Fire up your heat press or iron. Consult the manufacturer instructions that came with your vinyl sheet for specific guidelines on application timing and heat. Different types of HTV have different optimal transfer temperatures. Use medium pressure to apply heat transfer vinyl stencils.

7. Let it rest

Carefully remove your protective paper cover and admire your design. Set your fabric aside on a flat surface so that the vinyl can cool and solidify. Wait at least 24 hours before machine washing your fabric to reduce the risk of cracking or peeling. To preserve the life of your designs, machine wash items like printed t-shirts in cold water with a mild detergent.

How to use heat transfer vinyl FAQ

How do you use heat transfer vinyl?

Printing with heat transfer vinyl involves creating a stencil and using a heat press or iron to transfer the design to a piece of fabric. HTV stencils can be cut by hand, photo printed, or made with vinyl cutters like a Cricut machine.

Which side goes down on heat transfer vinyl?

HTV goes shiny side down for cutting and shiny side up for transferring. The shiny side, also known as the carrier side, is the side that initially comes with a protective covering.

Is heat transfer vinyl an effective way to design shirts for businesses?

The best t-shirt printing method depends on your business needs. HTV printing is fast and cost-effective—especially for small orders. This technique is well-suited for small businesses making one-off custom designs.