Siser Easyweed is the standard when it comes to using Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV).
Siser Easyweed has special guidelines for applying the various types of vinyl – save this guide for future reference for when you are pressing your T-shirts and other custom designs.
The guide offers information on how to cut the HTV as well as instructions on the types of materials that are suited for adhering the different types of vinyl. Care instructions are included reminding you that you should not wash any garment for 24 hours and that you should use a mild detergent and hang dry or dry on a normal setting. Most people also advise that you wash and tumble dry shirts inside-out.
The application guide covers:
Easyweed
Easyweed Extra
Easyweed Electric
Easyweed Stretch
Easyweed Foil
Easyweed Sub Block
Glitter
CADFlex
Holographic
Siser North America has an app for iPhone, iPad and Android that covers Siser colors, application notes, care instructions and more!
There are many presses to choose from, not only in different price brackets but different form factors. ?Within the different types of heat press there are extra features to be aware of that may swing your decision to choose one press over another. ?Heat presses can be used for both heat transfer vinyl or for sublimation.
Here we breakdown the types of presses and features available to you to guide you to the best press possible for your needs.
The most common and basic heat press option. ?The press is simply a hinged hotplate that can press flat items like T-Shirts, shorts, pillows, onesies, bags and most other apparel. ?This it the most common type of press you will see in shops offering custom designs.
PROS:
Clamshells take up less space, great for if you have a limited workspace.
Normally cheaper than swing away presses.
CONS:
Some people find the heat source being directly above them an issue when placing their design – fear of being burned due to working directly under the hotplate.
Cannot press other items like hats, plates or mugs
TIPS:
Get a 15″ x 15″ or larger hot plate to ensure you have the maximum pressing area to handle XL++ T-Shirts and larger customized apparel.
To avoid getting burned, remove the red rubber mat from under the press, lay down your design on the mat and then place under the heat source when you are ready to press!
Check out the professional and more expensive models as they have pull out drawers for laying down your design away from the heat source.
Higher price models also offer automatic open functions that release the press from the item when the timer is done – a great time saver when you are working on a batch of designs or interacting with clients.
Like the clam shell heat press above the swing away press is a single function press i.e. you can only press flat items such as shirts. ?The difference is that instead of being a simple open and shut, the hot place can swing away from the bottom plate before and after you press.
PROS:
Less burn risk as the heat source is not directly above where you lay your design.
CONS:
Usually swing away presses have smaller hotplates – like 9″ x 12″.
Swing away presses require more space due to the swiveling hot plate.
Swing away presses have more moving parts and the pull down handles have been known to break on cheaper models.
TIPS:
Swing away presses are effectively the same as multi function heat presses BUT without the extra parts – consider what you want to offer in terms of products and don’t limit yourself to flat items if you may expand your offerings later on!
Multi-function presses are the most versatile heat press option. ?Sold as 5 in 1, 6 in 1, even 8 in 1 options you have the ability to change out the heat source to press everything from plates, to hats and mugs.
Each part is removable to give you the flexibility to apply HTV or do sublimation on plates and cups.
PROS:
The most flexible heat press option!
The ability to press non-flat items using the attachments.
CONS:
You have to let the press cool down completely before exchanging attachments.
Cheaper presses seem to have issues with the reliability of interchanging attachments.
Heat plates, like swing away heat presses are usually smaller 9″ x 12″ or “12” x “15” – look for the larger heat plate to allow for pressing larger items like XL+ shirts, pillows and sheets.
Requires more room in your craft space due to the swiveling heat source.
TIPS:
Plan your production runs to save time waiting for the press to cool so you can change attachments!
One of the most commonly asked questions is how can I apply HTV with an iron?
Not everyone has or wants a heat press. ?For casual designers an iron will work BUTbe prepared to apply a lot of pressure to get good lasting results!
Siser created the video below as a guide on how to apply heat transfer vinyl using an iron.
Look to protect your designs too whether you use an iron or a heat press – invest in some teflon sheets to cover your design as you press, especially when you are doing layered designs.
If you are interested in a faster and more professional result look into heat presses if you plan to sell or press any number of shirts.
The most common and basic heat press option. ?The press is simply a hinged hotplate that can press flat items like T-Shirts, shorts, pillows, onesies, bags and most other apparel. ?This it the most common type of press you will see in shops offering custom designs.
Like the clam shell heat press above the swing away press is a single function press i.e. you can only press flat items such as shirts. ?The difference is that instead of being a simple open and shut, the hot place can swing away from the bottom plate before and after you press.
Multi-function presses are the most versatile heat press option. ?Sold as 5 in 1, 6 in 1, even 8 in 1 options you have the ability to change out the heat source to press everything from plates, to hats and mugs.
One of the most commonly asked questions is how can I apply HTV with an iron?