Heat transfer vinyl (HTV) is a printing technique that adds vinyl to fabrics. You can use it to bags, shoes, t-shirts and more. HTV is an excellent alternative to ironing. Cutting on heat transfer is easier than you could imagine, we will share a few simple steps and tips on how to cut heat transfer with the cricut and at least have an attractive design.
What is Iron on Vinyl?
Two types of cricut vinyl exist, the adhesive and the iron type (in most cases referred to as the HTV or Heat-transfer. Regular iron on vinyl also goes by the name everyday iron on, EasyWeed, or iron lite on. This post will address most types of iron on vinyl, like glitter and holographic.
Iron on vinyl is good on fabric and other materials such as paper, metal or wood. You can use an iron the cricut EasyPress or a heat press that ensures that iron adheres on Vinyl that contains a special adhesive on one side that needs activation during application.
Read about How to Use Heat Transfer Vinyl with Silhouette Cameo Here
What you will need for cricut iron-on vinyl
- Cricut iron-on vinyl
- Cricut maker or cricut explore
- Weeding tool
- Green StandardGrip or a blue LIghtGrip mat
- Iron or cricut EasyPress and a mat
- Scrap fabric
- An SVG file
How to Use Cricut Iron on Vinyl
- Cut the designs out on the design space or download a favorite SVG file and click save
- Click on the uploaded file and insert images
- You can adjust the file size to suit your preference through the edit menu
- Then click on the green cricut GO on the top of the screen. This action will open a preview screen, which is a mirror image of the iron and flips on the image. Failure to flip the image, your output will be backward after ironing.
- Then click GO
- On the subsequent screen, set the material you will use. Setting up takes place on the Cricut Explore Machine using the dial. When making a cricut maker, you can select iron-on using the menu on-screen.
- Place the iron on vinyl with the plastic side down on the cutting mat. Insert the mat into the cricut and press the arrow button, which should provide a grip on the cutting mat.
- Press the C button (which should be blinking) and let it cut the project
- Once the cutting is done, press the arrow button on the cricut to release your mat
- Peel off all the negative vinyl (i.e., that part that does not form part of the design). Let it stick on the cutting mat and use a weeding tool to make the peeling easier.
- Peel the plastic and vinyl from your mat and flip it over to confirm that it is facing the correct direction. Center the design on the fabric.
- Grab your cricut EasyPress or iron to adhere to iron-on vinyl.
- Here are the steps to follow when using a regular household iron
- Set the iron too hot but not anywhere near steam. Press the iron firmly for at least 10 seconds before picking it up and moving. Remember no sliding the iron around. The design may take longer than you would expect because the iron has to produce a lot of heat to get the vinyl sticker.
- Peel to remove the plastic over the image and confirm if the vinyl sticks. If it comes back up put down the plastic and apply more heat.
- When you are satisfied with the work so far, remove the plastic. For good measure, press the design against a scrap of fabric placed between the iron and the vinyl then let it cool.
- With all the steps, you are now a master of iron-on vinyl. Take time to make some beautiful designs on pillows, t-shirts, bags, etc.
Also read: Screen Print Vs. Vinyl T-shirt Printing & Which One and Why?
Cricut Machine Using Tips and Tricks
- You can use the easy press or easy press 2 for the heat setting to balance the heat across the entire surface
- When putting a print on wood use the cricut knife blade
- Use the cutting knife blade to cut the matboard (a high-quality paper set up in layers)
- Find a hook that works for you on the weeding tools
How to Avoid Wasting Vinyl When Weeding
When the design is smaller than the piece of vinyl cut from it, before weeding trim off the extra-unwanted pieces that you can use in the next project.
When you do not see clear lines during weeding, bend the vinyl to help you see the cut lines around the image. Another trick is to hold the piece against a window or direct light.
Use a specially designed cricut bright pad whose role is to help you see cut lines for easier peeling
You can remove the vinyl around the design using a weeding tool by grabbing one of the edges to lift the vinyl and do not forget to remove the pieces between and inside letters or other parts of the design.
