Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV)
Discover the endless possibilities of heat transfer vinyl (HTV) for your projects. Choose from a wide range of colors and finishes to personalize garments and accessories. Our comprehensive vinyl guide provides expert recommendations and step-by-step instructions. Elevate your creativity with HTV today.
Shop all Heat Transfer Vinyl
Getting Started with Heat Transfer Vinyl
Heat Transfer Warehouse is an authorized distributor for a variety of HTV brands including Siser, Specialty Materials, Poli-Tape, and Chemica HTV!
We offer the industry's top brands and products in HTV and iron on vinyl including Siser EasyWeed, Thermoflex Plus, Chemica Hotmark Revolution Low Temp, and WALAKut.
Within those brands, the range of types is endless. From different types and finishes of heat transfer vinyl like Matte HTV, Glossy, Glitter, Holographic, Flock, Reflective, Siser Patterned, Stock Patterned and specialized HTV to go on those delicate garments!
We are your top source for all bulk heat transfer vinyl and materials. Our promise is that you will receive a high-quality name brand product at an industry competitive price every time. All of these brands and products of heat transfer vinyl are compatible and can be used in your Cricut Explore, Cricut Maker, Silhouette Cameo 3 and Cameo 4 to the wider format cutters such as the Cameo Plus, and the Graphtec CE-7000.
Orgins of Heat Transfer Vinyl
Heat transfer vinyl (HTV) was first introduced in the 1970s as a way to customize and personalize clothing using heat and pressure. The first types of HTV were made from polyurethane, a synthetic polymer that can be cut into designs and shapes using a plotter or vinyl cutter.
The early versions of HTV were limited in terms of color and design options, and were mainly used for creating simple, single-color designs on t-shirts and other apparel items. Over time, advances in technology and manufacturing processes have led to the development of a wide range of HTV products, including different types of vinyl, colors, patterns, and finishes.
Today, HTV is a popular choice for customizing and personalizing a wide range of clothing items and accessories. It is used for creating everything from simple designs and text to complex and intricate patterns and designs. It is also used in combination with other decorative techniques, such as embroidery, screen printing, and sublimation, to create unique and customized apparel items.
Overall, HTV has a long history in the garment printing industry, and has evolved over time to become a versatile and popular choice for creating customized and personalized apparel items.
Brands and Types of HTV
Heat Transfer Vinyl also known as Heat Press Vinyl, HTV or iron on vinyl is available in many different colors, finishes, styles or for specialty garment types.
Works On: 100% Cotton, 100% Polyester, Elastan, or blends of these textiles
Why it’s Awesome:
WALAKut Express is incredibly thin and elastic with a matte finish. It can be applied with low temperature, and is layerable. It has a lot of color options, including a set of neon hues.
Works On: Cotton, 100% Uncoated Polyester, Cotton/Poly blends, and Lycra
Why it’s Awesome:
WALAKut Soft is one of the thinnest HTVs available, making for a soft feel and lots of stretch. It has a matte finish, is layerable, and its material penetrates into the garment fibers, which adds durability.
Works On: Most Fabrics
Why it’s Awesome:
WALAKut Fashion patterns offer a wide range of intricate patterns, including animal prints, galaxy and holographic patterns, and tie dye prints. They make a bold statement, and there is no shortage of options.
EasyWeed Classic and Fluorescents
Works On: Polyester, Cotton, Poly/Cotton blends
Why it’s Awesome:
Siser EasyWeed Classic comes in an enormous spectrum of colors (including a line of vivid fluorescents) and is incredibly easy to work with. It is thin, flexible, and can be applied with low heat and pressure. It has a semi-gloss finish and can be layered, making it a very versatile HTV.
Works On: 100% Cotton, 100% Uncoated Polyester, Poly/Cotton blends, Lycra, Spandex, Leather
Why it’s Awesome:
EasyWeed Stretch is great for performance wear. Thinner than EasyWeed Classic, it provides a soft and weightless feel. It comes in a broad range of colors and has a matte finish.
Works On: 100% Cotton, 100% Uncoated Polyester, Poly/Cotton blends, Lycra/Spandex
Why it’s Awesome:
Siser Brick 600 is a thick (600 microns!) heat transfer vinyl, but it still provides a good deal of flexibility. It has a matte finish, and can be layered (as long as it is the bottom layer). Siser Brick 600 is a great way to add a 3D element to garments.
Works On: 100% Cotton, 100% Polyester, Poly/Cotton blends, Leather
Why it’s Awesome:
Siser EasyWeed Electric has a pearlescent sheen that is similar to the shimmer of a metallic heat transfer vinyl. It is thin, allowing for layering to achieve multi-dimensional designs. It comes in many colors that will stay bright wash after wash.
Works On: 100% Cotton, 100% Polyester, Leather, Lycra/Spandex
Why it’s Awesome:
Siser EasyPatterns Plus vinyl offers an array of fashion prints with a semi-gloss finish. Much like Siser EasyWeed, EasyPatterns lives up to its name and is easy to cut, weed, and apply.
ThermoFlex Plus and Neons
Works On: Cotton, Linen, Wool, Lycra/Spandex, Polyester blends
Why it’s Awesome:
ThermoFlex Plus is a quality heat transfer vinyl that offers a soft feel and matte finish. It is very flexible, yet durable enough to outlast the life of the garment that it is applied to. The ThermoFlex Neons line offers an extended range of bright, exciting colors.
Works On: Cotton, Linen, Wool, Lycra/Spandex, Polyester blends
Why it’s Awesome:
Like ThermoFlex Plus, ThermoFlex Stretch is very durable, but it provides even more flexibility than its counterpart. It has a soft, matte finish and offers a useful range of colors.
Works On: Cotton, Polyester, Blends, Nylon, Uncoated Nylon, Acrylics, Lycra/Spandex, Vinyl, Genuine Leather
Why it’s Awesome:
POLI-FLEX Turbo is astounding in the range of fabrics that it can be applied to, making it an incredibly versatile heat transfer vinyl. It has a fast application at a low temperature, a matte finish, and is easy to weed.
Works On: Cotton, Polyester, Nylon, Acrylic
Why it’s Awesome:
Chemica Hotmark Revolution Low Temp is a thin and flexible vinyl that (as its name suggests) can be applied at a low temperature, allowing it to be applied to a wide range of fabrics. There are many colors available, each with a matte finish (except for the three metallic colors).
Works On: Cotton, Polyester, Acrylic, and similar fabrics
Why it’s Awesome:
Chemica Fashions are pre-printed transfer materials featuring several varieties of fashion prints. They are layerable, and there are both animal and camouflage prints available.
Works On: Cotton, Linen, Wool, Lycra/Spandex, Polyester Blends
Why it’s Awesome:
WALAKut Metallics possess a unique shine, and though they look metallic, they have a soft and elastic feel. They can be applied quickly at a low temperature, adding an eye-catching sheen to any garment.
Works On: 100% Cotton, 100% Polyester, Poly/Cotton blends, Leather, Sublimated Polyester
Why it’s Awesome:
Siser Metal is a vinyl that looks like foil but has a soft, pleasant feel. It has a dazzling shine, and retains that shine even after washing and wear.
Works On: Cotton, Linen, Wool, Lycra, Polyester blends, Spandex
Why it’s Awesome:
ThermoFlex Plus Metallics provide a metallic look without stiffness. On the contrary, they are flexible and have a soft hand feel. Like other ThermoFlex vinyls, ThermoFlex Plus Metallics have a strong grip when heat pressed and remain durable after wear and washing.
Siser
Siser Glitter and Neon Glitter
Works On: Cotton, Polyester, Fabric blends, Lycra, Wool, Linen
Why it’s Awesome:
Siser Glitter allows for maximum sparkle with a textured feel. It is thick, but can be layered as a top layer or inlay, and despite its textured feel, it won't shed glitter flakes. It also works as an embroidery applique. Siser offers a large selection of glitter and neon glitter colors, and white glitter can even be directly sublimated.
Works On: Cotton, Polyester, Poly/Cotton blends, Elastic fabrics, Spandex
Why it’s Awesome:
Siser Sparkle is smooth, and thinner than some other glitter-type vinyls. This allows Siser Sparkle to provide a sparkly finish without sacrificing as much flexibility.
Works On: 100% Cotton, 100% Uncoated Polyester, and all Poly/Cotton blends
Why it’s Awesome:
Siser Twinkle contains embedded flakes that provide its glitter effect. This puts its thickness between Siser Glitter and Siser Sparkle. Like Siser Sparkle, it shines in the light, but has a smooth feel.
Works On: 100% Cotton, 100% Polyester, Poly/Cotton blends, Leather
Why it’s Awesome:
Siser Holographic creates depth while remaining smooth to the touch. It contains color-changing chips with a selection of special effects, colors, and finishes. It has a high-gloss finish and can be used to create a faux rhinestone look.
Works On: Cotton, Polyester, Poly/Cotton blends
Why it’s Awesome:
Siser Aurora provides a shimmer and a textured look, all while remaining smooth in feel. It can retain its color on both light and dark fabrics, and it appears to change color when viewed from different angles.
Works On: Cotton, Polyester, Acrylic, and similar fabrics
Why it’s Awesome:
Chemica Galaxy Stretchable Glitter is a glitter vinyl with the ability to stretch, which is a rare thing to find. A few other uncommon attributes that make it hard to compete with are its smooth finish and layerability.
Resources for Getting Started with Heat Transfer Vinyl
- How to Cut and Use HTV Guide
- Heat Press Temp and Time Guide for HTV
- HTV Calculator to find out how much vinyl you need
- Garment Size and HTV Design Size Reference
- HTV Basics
- Troubleshooting HTV Issues
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you use heat transfer vinyl?
First you are going to want to cut out your design, weed the htv, and finally follow the application instructions found on the product page of the htv you are you using to press your design! For more information checkout our How to Cut and Use HTV blog.
How do you remove heat transfer vinyl?
You can use heat to make the adhesive soft and remove your htv, or we recommend you use Heat Transfer Vinyl Remover. For more information checkout our How to Remove HTV From Shirts blog
How do you cut heat transfer vinyl?
Make sure you are cutting on the vinyl side of your material. If you are unsure which side that is, peel back a corner of your HTV, and the colored side is your vinyl. The clear side is the adhesive liner. Typically, the shiny side of your HTV is the liner and the dull side is your vinyl. Once you know which side is the vinyl, place that side up into your vinyl cutter.
It is vital to do a test cut before cutting your full design. Depending on which cutter you use, there may be an option to do a test cut straight from your machine! If not, you can create your own test cut in your design software. To do this, make a small square with an even smaller triangle inside of the square. The whole design should be around ½ inch wide. Once you have created your test cut shape, move the shape to the corner of your HTV and send it to the cutter. If you are able to weed the square, but leave the triangle still on the liner, your cut settings are correct.
Once you have successfully done a test cut, you are ready to cut your design. To find cut settings for your specific vinyl, go to the product page on our website and click the tab Application Instructions. For Siser Easyweed, we used a speed of 25 cm/s and a force of 16. Always remember to mirror your design when working with HTV.
How do you layer HTV?
- Create your design: Start by designing your desired image or text using a design software. You can also find pre-made designs online. Remember to mirror your design before cutting the vinyl.
- Cut your vinyl: Cut each layer of vinyl using a vinyl cutter. Be sure to mirror each layer before cutting.
- Weed the vinyl: Carefully remove the excess vinyl from each layer using a weeding tool, leaving only the design on the carrier sheet.
- Apply the first layer: Preheat your heat press to the recommended temperature and time for the first layer of vinyl. Place the first layer on the fabric with the carrier sheet facing up. Press the design for the recommended time and temperature, then peel the carrier sheet.
- Align the second layer: Place the second layer of vinyl on top of the first layer, making sure to align it perfectly with the first layer.
- Press the second layer: Cover the entire design with a heat transfer cover sheet and press the second layer for the recommended time and temperature. Peel the carrier sheet.
- Repeat for additional layers: If you have more layers, repeat steps 5 and 6 until all layers have been applied.
- Final press: Cover the entire design with a heat transfer cover sheet and press the entire design for the recommended time and temperature to ensure all layers are securely adhered to the fabric.
- Enjoy your finished design: Once the design has cooled, it is ready to wear and enjoy!
For more information checkout our How to Remove HTV From Shirts blog
How can you remove HTV from a shirt?
- Start by turning the garment inside out.
- Apply the Heat Transfer Vinyl Remover to the area on the backside and underneath the vinyl that you want to remove. The vinyl will be on the other side of the garment at this point. This allows the remover to soak through the garment and reach the underside of the vinyl.
- Turn the garment back to normal so that it is no longer inside out.
- Stretch the garment in 4 different directions around the vinyl that you want to remove.
- Carefully peel the vinyl off the garment immediately after stretching the garment.
For more information checkout our How to Layer HTV Blog
What is difference between Heat Transfer Vinyl and HTV ?
HTV is just an abbreviation for Heat Transfer Vinyl, so they are the same!
What is heat transfer vinyl ?
Heat transfer vinyl, or HTV, is a type of vinyl material that is used to create designs or graphics on fabrics. The vinyl is cut into the desired design using a vinyl cutter, and then transferred to the fabric using a heat press. Heat transfer vinyl comes in various colors, finishes, and textures, such as matte, glossy, metallic, glitter, and more. It is a popular choice for creating custom designs on t-shirts, hats, bags, and other fabric items. To use heat transfer vinyl, the design is first created and cut using a vinyl cutter. The excess vinyl is then removed, leaving only the desired design on a carrier sheet. The carrier sheet is placed onto the fabric with the design facing down, and then heat and pressure are applied using a heat press. The heat and pressure cause the vinyl to adhere to the fabric, creating a permanent and durable design. Heat transfer vinyl is a popular option for personalized gifts, team uniforms, and promotional products, as it allows for intricate designs and vibrant colors. It is also often used in commercial settings, such as in the production of custom apparel or merchandise.
What is the difference between htv and heat transfer vinyl ?
There is no difference between HTV and heat transfer vinyl, as both terms refer to the same type of vinyl material that is used to create designs on fabrics using a heat press. HTV stands for Heat Transfer Vinyl, and is simply an abbreviation of the full term. Heat transfer vinyl is often referred to as HTV because it is a common abbreviation within the custom apparel industry. Both terms refer to vinyl that is cut into designs using a vinyl cutter, and then transferred onto fabric using a heat press. The vinyl is available in a wide range of colors, finishes, and textures, and is a popular choice for creating custom designs on t-shirts, hats, bags, and other fabric items. In short, there is no difference between HTV and heat transfer vinyl - they are just two different ways of referring to the same material.