Iron-on vinyl always gives beautiful and lustrous results. This raises the question if a design of multiple layers of iron-on vinyl can be created with a heat press or not.
A person can only heat press a single layer of iron-on vinyl is a myth that I busted by following a couple of simple guidelines. The guidelines make sure that the end product is always a success and not the other way around.
To help you get the same perfect results that I get every time, I have listed the entire process of layering iron-on vinyl with a heat press down below.
How To Layer Iron-On Vinyl With Heat Press
Follow the below-stated steps to create a stunning project with multiple layers of iron-on vinyl.
What You Will Need
For layering iron-on vinyl, you are going to need a clean fabric for the transfer. You will also need a sheet of parchment paper, your heat-press, heat-resistant tape, and a couple of designs of iron-on vinyl. You are also going to require a sheet of strip flock vinyl, as it prevents shrinkage which happens with heat pressing multiple layers.
Place all of your items on the work table, so that you can do the task without any interruptions. If all of your iron-on vinyl designs have been cut and weeded, then you are good to go. If not, then you need to cut every vinyl layer and weed out the extra to make it fully ready for the transfer.
Setting The Time And Temperature
The first step is to turn your heat press on. Once the heat press has powered on, then you will need to adjust the two critical settings, i.e., the time and temperature. Normally, for iron-on vinyl, high temperature is used. They are also heat-pressed for a longer period. However, that is not the case when you are using layers. For layered transfer, you will need to keep the time of every press low, such as 5 to 6 seconds per layer. The temperature should be between 300°F to 320°F.
Pre-Press The Garment
After your heat-press has reached pre-set temperature, then you need to lift the top platen and reveal the base where you will be working. Take your shirt and place it on the bottom platen. Shut the top platen for 4 to 5 seconds. This will give your garment a pre-press that will get rid of creases, and all the moisture. It prepares the surface of the fabric for the layers of vinyl.
Transfer The Strip Flock Vinyl
After the pre-press is done, lift the top platen, and place the strip flock vinyl on the shirt. Make sure to place the strip flock where you want to transfer the design, as it provides a base for the entire transfer. Stick it to its spot with the help of some heat-resistant tape. Place a sheet of parchment paper on top of the strip flock vinyl and shut the top platen. Press the strip flock vinyl for 5 seconds, and then open the heat press.
Heat Pressing The First Layer
After transferring the strip flock vinyl, take the first layer of vinyl that you wish to transfer. Place it carefully on the strip flock, and then tape it with heat-resistant tape. Make sure to only apply the tape to the edges. Cover it with parchment paper and shut the top platen. Press your first layer of iron-on vinyl for approximately 6 seconds.
Lift the top platen, when you hear the beeping sound indicating that the time is up. Remove the sheet of parchment paper and the tape. Then peel off the transfer sheet from the iron-on vinyl. This type of vinyl transfer is a hot peel, so make sure to peel the backing sheet immediately.
Heat Pressing The Second Layer
Once you are satisfied that the initial iron-on vinyl has been transferred perfectly, then take the second layer and place it in its intended position. Cover the entire surface with parchment paper and shut the top platen again. Open your heat-press by lifting the top platen when you hear the beep of the timer. Reveal the second layer, by peeling off its transfer sheet.
Transferring The Rest Of The Layers
Repeat this same procedure for all of your layers till you have heat-pressed every single layer of iron-on vinyl onto your garment. Once you have transferred every layer properly, then take the parchment paper and place it on the project one last time. Shut the top platen and set the timer to 10 seconds for a final press. The final press makes sure that if any layer of iron-on vinyl has not been properly set, it sticks to the garment perfectly.
Conclusion
When you are working with layers of iron-on vinyl, there are a few conditions that you need to follow to achieve the best results every time. If neglected, your project can go south very quickly. Therefore, read every step stated above carefully and create beautiful projects with layers of iron-on vinyl.
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.