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HTV with iron?

Aug 1, 2022

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    1. Ughhhhh...

      I have a commission that I've been working on, and part of that commission is making a custom fabric for the piece I'm making. Usually that's fine, right? I love using heat transfer vinyl. But this time, it is just deciding not to cooperate at all. After two tries with it, I've had to go out and buy new fabric that's a close enough color match to the fabric I ruined already.

      Any tips of doing HTV with an iron? I've read lots of guides- I hold the iron in place for 20-30 seconds putting pressure, but it just does not want to cooperate! It's driving me insane.
       
      #1 Alex Secord Designs, Aug 1, 2022
      Last edited: Aug 1, 2022
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    2. I don't have a lot of experience but I found HTV adheres to 100% cotton more easily than synthetic blends. Synthetics require more heat/time. You can test on scrap fabric to see how long it can handle the iron, at max temperature, before it's damaged. Lot's of pressure is important.
       
      #2 mikeg, Aug 1, 2022
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    3. What specific issues are you having with it? (Smudging, peeling off, burning the fabric, bubbling, etc?)
       
      #3 Mr Bitterness, Aug 1, 2022
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    4. Some of it is just not going on. Most of it goes on perfectly, but then there's some parts that just refuse to iron on. I think the adhesive goes on since it leaves a dark mark in the shape of the design, but not the actual decal. I'm trying a different type of HTV, since after three tries and running out of the vinyl, I still couldn't make it work.
       
      #4 Alex Secord Designs, Aug 1, 2022
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    5. Gotcha! That sounds like a temperature issue, or like the above poster said, an issue with the fabric composition.
      Couple of other tips for adherence-- make sure there's no water in your iron, and that you're letting it fully cool before trying to peel off the plastic sheeting.
       
      #5 Mr Bitterness, Aug 1, 2022
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    6. I'll try some different temperatures. I had my iron on the preferred setting for HTV, but I think I'll try other temperatures to see if it adheres better. Thank you both!
       
      #6 Alex Secord Designs, Aug 1, 2022
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    7. No problem, and best of luck with your project!
       
      #7 Mr Bitterness, Aug 1, 2022
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