No matter which fabric is used as a base, HTV transfers have a way of bringing allure to the garment. However, the beauty of HTV can only be guaranteed if you apply it correctly; otherwise, you will end up with an awful disappointment.
So, if you want to ace every project, then learning how to apply HTV with a heat press is a must. The procedure is not as complex as many novices believe it to be, you just need to be mindful of a few small things. However, that also does not mean you can pop your garment between the platens and expect a great outcome.
Every single time I got terrific results from the HTV application, I made sure to strictly follow a couple of steps. To make matters easy for you, I have jotted down the entire step-by-step procedure of applying HTV with the help of a heat press in the article below.
How To Apply HTV With Heat Press
With the aid of the following steps, you will be able to learn how to apply HTV with your heat press conveniently.
What You Will Need
For the seamless application of an HTV design onto your garment, you are going to collect a few items beforehand. You need your HTV design, a clean garment for application, some heat-resistant tape, a sheet of parchment paper of Teflon sheet, and of course, your heat press.
Process Of Applying HTV With Heat Press
Prepping The Garment
Before you start following the steps of applying HTV, make sure that you have picked the right size of design according to your garment. No matter which type of garment you pick for the HTV application, it is critical for you to prep it for the transfer. Prepping the garment means you need to press it for 4-5 seconds. Therefore, plug your heat press into a power outlet, and turn it on. Place your garment on the lower platen, cover it with a parchment sheet and then push the upper platen down on it. You do not have to worry about setting the right temperature at this step, as pre-press only lasts for 4-5 seconds. The purpose of this step is to get rid of any moisture and creases from the garment and create a neat and smooth surface for the HTV application. Moreover, this step also allows users to know whether the pressure of the heat press is right or not.
Adjusting The Settings Of The Heat Press
Once you have prepped your garment for HTV transfer, now you need to adjust the time and temperature of your heat press. If the pressure of the heat press is not accurate for your project, then you need to adjust that too. Make sure to set the temperature according to the nature of your garment. For instance, if it is polyester, then you can set your heat press at 270°F and press the garment for a maximum of 15 seconds. However, if you are applying HTV on cotton, then you can set the temperature as high as 315°F and can even press for longer than a minute.
Placing The HTV
Once all of the settings of your heat press are fixed, you need to place the HTV design on the garment. As removing HTV after it has been transferred is extremely tedious, it is critical that you must place it correctly and in the right spot. Also, make sure that you place the design face down, so that the carrier sheet is facing the top platen.
Pressing The HTV Design
Now that your HTV design is in its designated spot, cover it with the protective sheet. If the sheet moves, or it’s your first time applying HTV, then you can even use some heat-resistant tape to stick the HTV and parchment sheet securely in their places. After the parchment paper is secure, then push the top platen down till you hear the clicking sound, indicating it is sitting flat on top of your project.
Peeling The Sheet
If your heat press comes with a timer indicator, then you do not need to stand right next to the heat press and watch the timer. However, if your machine lacks this feature, then it is best if you stay close to your heat press so that you can open it immediately when the time is up. Lift the top platen of the heat press once the time of the press is over. Then remove the tape and lift the parchment sheet off the garment. Put it aside, and then remove your garment from the heat press. Place it on a table and then peel the carrier sheet off the fabric. Lo and behold, you have applied the HTV design to your garment flawlessly.
What To Keep In Mind While Applying HTV?
When you are working with a heat press and HTV, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. The first is to always make sure that you use a garment which supports the HTV application. Many synthetic fabrics such as acrylics do not support HTV, so steer clear of them. In addition to that, you should never press HTV without the barrier of a protective sheet. Furthermore, you also need to keep the nature of your garment in mind when it is time to peel off the carrier sheet. If you are pressing on polyester or cotton, you need to peel the carrier sheet immediately as they are hot peel. However, if you are pressing on wool, then you need to wait for the project to cool down and then peel off the carrier sheet.
Conclusion
Learning how to apply HTV with a heat press without any error is a skill that comes with practice and knowing the right procedure. When you follow the proper guidelines, the design applies beautifully. Therefore, instead of jeopardizing your project, follow the procedure that has been shared in the article above.
I’m Henry Collins and living my happy life. I’m a professional businessman and I own and run 6 Heat Pressing Services stores where I provide my clients with custom Designs on hats, mugs, T-Shirts and a lot more using Heat Press Machine. Been using a heat press for the last 4 years and people love my work. As I’ve got enough information on Heat Press I decided to make a blog on it and share my knowledge with the world. I hope, the world will appreciate it.