How To Heat Press Multiple Colors

The beauty of heat-pressed vinyl doubles when the design is laced with multiple vivid colors. However, for enhanced beauty, the procedure needs to be done to perfection.

Do not fret, heat pressing multiple colors on any shirt is easier than it seems. There are no hard and fast rules, just a couple of simple steps that need to be done.

The article below states the two methods that will help you heat press multiple colors. You can pick either according to your project, and the results will be remarkable.

How To Heat Press Multiple Colors

The two techniques below will help you press multiple colors beautifully on your project.

What You Will Need

For heat pressing multiple colors of vinyl stickers on your project, you will need your heat press machine. Along with that, you need to place the heat-resistant tape, vinyl stickers, and a couple of sheets of parchment paper on the work table.

Adjust The Settings Of Your Heat Press

Turn your heat press on, and wait for it to power on completely. Before we get to the part where you layer different colors on your shirt, you need to make sure that the settings of the machine are perfect. The time and the temperature of the heat press need to be set according to the fabric that will be placed between the two platens. If you are using cotton, then you can press for 10 to 15 seconds easily. For other delicate materials such as nylon or polyester, you need to set the time at 5 seconds. Similarly, the temperature should also be set in accordance with the garment’s nature.

Pre-Press The Garment

Once the temperature and the time of your heat press are set, then you need to take the garment and set it neatly on the lower platen. Then, place the sheet of parchment paper on top of the garment, and pull the top platen down. Give your shirt a pre-press of 4 to 5 seconds.

Heat Pressing Multiple Colors Method 1

Step 1

After the pre-press, open the heat press. Remove the parchment paper and place the vinyl in its place. The first method of heat pressing multiple colors is by placing all of the multi-colored vinyl stickers on the garment. However, make sure, that no stickers are overlapping each other.

Step 2

After placing every sticker in its place, then you need to secure them in their spots with heat-resistant tape. Place the sheet of parchment paper on top and shut the heat press. Press the entire garment for 10 seconds.

Step 3

Lift the top platen once the time is up. If you are heat pressing on cotton, then peel off the transfer sheet immediately. Your multicolored vinyl design will be in its place.

Heat Pressing Multiple Colors Method 2

Step 1

The second method of heat pressing multiple colors is for the design that has colors overlapping one another. For such a design, you do not stack them all at once. Instead, you need to press each color one by one. Start by placing the base color on the shirt, and put some heat-resistant tape on it. Cover everything with parchment paper and shut the heat press. Press the first color for 5 seconds, and then open your heat press.

Step 2

Remove the parchment sheet, and then peel off the carrier sheet of the vinyl. Let the design cool off for a few seconds, then place the second color in its place. Cover it with parchment paper again, and then heat press for 5 seconds. Open your heat-press, once the timer dings, indicating the press time is up. Peel off the carrier sheet of the second color.

Step 3

If you have any more layers of other colors, then repeat the same procedure for every color. Once all the colors have been transferred, then you need to cover the garment with a sheet of parchment paper and give it a final press of 10 seconds. The final press will make sure that the entire design is properly set, especially the color that was pressed the last.

Conclusion

Heat pressing is a simple method that will help you turn a boring shirt into one full of beauty. Especially, when you heat press multiple colors, its attraction multiplies tenfold. The two procedures above will help you achieve those stunning results that you are craving.