What is heat transfer vinyl?

Heat transfer vinyl is a vinyl used to decorate bags, apparel, and other soft goods, applying the design with heat and pressure. Using vinyl heat transfer is an easy and quick way to customize your wardrobe and home with little mess and very little equipment.

You can create your own heat transfer vinyl designs, or there are tons of options online for you to choose from. Once you've decided what your design will be, you can easily cut your heat transfer vinyl using a Cricut or Silhouette machine.

Afer you're done with cutting, weed your design using a weeding hook and prepare to press it on your favorite garment using a heat press machine.

Your design will print on heat transfer vinyl and will be held in place with a glossy sheet until you're ready to apply it. If you're using heat transfer vinyl for shirts, for example, you'll peel the glossy sheet away and place the heat transfer paper on the shirt to transfer the design.

Different kinds of heat transfer vinyl

As you start looking for the best heat transfer vinyl, you'll notice there are a few different kinds. Here's a breakdown of a few different kinds and what they're used for:

Flock HTV

Flock heat transfer vinyl creates a matte, faux-suede look, so it's perfect for softer apparel where you don't want too shiny of an effect.

Glitter HTV

On the other end of the spectrum is glitter heat transfer vinyl, which lets you create super sparkly designs on your apparel or bag.

Puffy HTV

Puffy or puff heat transfer vinyl creates a 3D look to your design, meaning it's lifted off the surface of your shirt or bag a little bit. This creates a fun and dimensional effect and is a great way to add a personal touch to your items.

Another type of vinyl is brick HTV, which is a thicker, leathery type vinyl that also gives dimension to your items. If you don't want the full thickness of puffy foam, brick HTV might be a good option.

Brick HTV gives your garment a leathery look and feel, making it a popular choice for people looking for a leather alternative. We also carry a variety of colors for you to choose from, so you can customize your vinyl and your garment to your style and preference.

Reflective heat transfer vinyl

As the name suggests, reflective HTV will reflect light off the vinyl. This is perfect for first responders like EMT or police, but really is great for anyone who wants to make sure they're visible. Think running vests, children's uniforms, or other items that can help you stay safe in darker or less visible areas.