If you’re a beginner planning to transfer a design that you've been having to a T-shirt or an entrepreneur planning to start a Tshirt printing business, then you'll need to get the best heat transfer vinyl to help you get the job done.
A heat transfer vinyl (HTV) is a type of vinyl that helps you transfer your designs to various things, including T-shirts, mugs, etc. Also known as iron-on vinyl, the HTV mostly comes in a sheet or a roll.
However, with a vast number of options for heat transfer vinyl in the market, it can be challenging to find the best ones in terms of affordability, efficiency and also comes in a broader range of colors.
To make the HTV search easier for you, we have reviewed the 5 Best options for HTV based on durability, quality ad performance. Furthermore, below you'll find a buying guide with features to consider before choosing a heat transfer vinyl.
Best Heat Transfer Vinyl Reviews
1. YRYM Heat Transfer Vinyl Bundle
- EASY to USE & CUT & TRANSFER ：Our heat transfer vinyl is thick...
- ECO &USING WIDELY：Our strong iron on vinyl is SGS certified...
- SERVICE& MACHINE WASHABLE：Unlike other iron on vinyl with...
- PERFECT GIFT IDEA: Do it yourself personalized customization has...
- GREAT SERVICE:We stand by the quality and versatility of our heat...
The YRYM bundle is the best HTV in the market because it has excellent features that make it easy to cut and weed effortlessly. These features make transferring the project faster and more practical without compromising quality.
This quality heat transfer vinyl is temperature and pressure-sensitive and will transfer well and also allow easy take off. It comes in a pack of 42 sheets, with each sheet having a size of 12 x 10 inches. The sheets come in 27 vibrant colors, ten white and five black.
The dimensions and wide range of colors allow one to create any design easily. Compared to other heat transfer vinyl brands, this one is stickier and more durable, remaining intact even after a lot of washing.
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2. JANDJPACKAGING Heat Transfer Vinyl Bundle
- 2020 UPDATED HTV VINYL -Our heat transfer vinyl sheets is thin...
- EASY & SAFE TO USE - Quickly and easily apply the adhesive backed...
- DURABLE& MACHINE WASHABLE - PU HTV Vinyl bundle is easy to handle...
- VIBRANT COLORS - 12” X 10” 42 pack htv heat transfer vinyl...
- 【GREAT SERVICE】We stand by the quality and versatility of our...
JandJPackaging boasts 32 vibrant colors, five black, five white, and one Teflon sheet, all measuring 12 x 10 inches. It is one of the best heat transfer vinyl for beginners because of its ease of use with a hot iron or heat press machine.
The durability of the sheets is unmatched, such that they will hold up well in the washing machine without being damaged. They are also very thin, making them easy to cut with most cutting machines, including a Cricut machine.
The JandJPackaging cheap heat transfer vinyl also features a white backing to make it easy to layer and differentiate the cutting side. Furthermore, this product is SGS-certified and environmentally friendly, making it perfect for use with children's clothing.
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3. MiPremium PU Glitter Heat Transfer Vinyl
- ►THIN BUT STRONG & HIGHLY DURABLE: MiPremium Polyurethane...
- ►WIDE RANGE OF USE: Our eco-friendly vinyl is suitable for...
- ►EASY TO CUT PRESS & APPLY: Cut through our iron on vinyl with...
- ►PRE CUT SHEETS – READY TO CUT: Our PU Heat Press Vinyl...
- ★★★GET MORE FOR YOUR MONEY★★★ MiPremium glitter...
Are you a fan of glittery designs? Then, the Mipremium PU Glitter heat transfer vinyl will, for sure, blow your mind. It features ten glitter sheets in the color Red, Green, Black, Pink, Gold, Black gold, Cherry, Lavender, Copper and Dark Purple.
Although these may seem quite fancy, the quality and effectiveness of these glitter vinyls are not compromised. They are thin and durable, and weeding is easier compared to other glitter vinyl. It has a film that makes the weeding of the finer and smaller details even easier.
It also features a high degree of elasticity and is durable to withstand washing without fading or cracking. Furthermore, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, which means you can depend on this heat transfer vinyl to get excellent results.
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4. Siser EasyWeed Heat Transfer Vinyl Sheets
- 12 most popular Siser EasyWeed colors on the market
- Easy and Ready-to-cut material designed for custom garment...
- Pressure sensitive carrier allows you to weed small letters and...
- Much thinner than other film materials
- EasyWeed offers excellent durability, even after repeated...
Siser EasyWeed Heat Transfer Vinyl Sheets is a perfect pick for beginners because it offers perhaps the best set for beginners, which includes all the necessities.
It can hold up to twelve sheets measuring 12 inches by 15 inches each. The sheets are available in 12 colors: silver, orange, brown, red, grey, navy, black, lemon, ochre, lime, forest green, and fuchsia.
The Siser Easyweed HTV is lightweight and thin for easy cutting and transferring of the t-shirt designs. You can trust this quality vinyl to efficiently transfer vinyl designs for more extensive details and even smaller and finer details.
The sheets feature a carrier at the back that is highly sensitive to pressure to prevent the finer details or smaller letters from getting ripped. The durability of this vinyl is exceptional, such that washing the shirts won't fade the vinyl.
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5. HTVRONT Glitter Heat Transfer Vinyl Bundle - 15 Pack 12" x 10" HTV Sheets Glitter
- 【Easy to Cut & Weed & Transfer】The glitter htv is easy to cut...
- 【Superior Materials & Durable】Glitter heat transfer vinyl is...
- 【Abundant Color】Our pre-cut 12x10" heat transfer vinyl bundle...
- 【Wide Use & Ideal Gift】This glitter htv heat transfer vinyl...
- 【Great Service】 HTVRONT is a very trustworthy brand. We are...
If you are looking for an excellent glitter heat transfer vinyl to apply to your custom T-shirts and make them pop, consider the HTVRONT Glitter Heat Transfer Vinyl Bundle. With 15 vibrant colors in a 12" x 10" sheet size, this glitter HTV allows you to create eye-catching designs that stand out. Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or running a custom apparel business, this bundle provides everything you need to add extra glam to your projects.
The HTVRONT Glitter HTV is a game-changer for anyone who loves to add sparkle to their creations. It offers vibrant colors, easy application, and a durable finish. Whether you’re making a custom T-shirt for yourself or creating something special for a client, this glitter vinyl takes your designs to the next level.
If you are interested in making beautiful, shiny T-shirts and other clothing items, the HTVRONT Glitter Heat Transfer Vinyl Bundle is perfect for you. The versatility in terms of the range of colors and the relative simplicity of handling makes it an essential tool in the box for anyone into crafting, who wants to put that little extra sparkle into their creations. While not perfect for ultra-fine detail work, it does not get much easier for those loud and proud designs.
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Features To Consider Before Buying a Heat Transfer Vinyl
1. Simplicity of transfer
The best heat transfer vinyl needs to have a fast and effortless transfer. There are many HTV brands that are easy to transfer, but some of them may require a lot of effort.
Investing in the wrong HTV could mess up your transfer process, give you a hard time and complicate this simple process. It is essential to get one that is easy to transfer. Some of the features that make the transferability of HTV easier are heat and pressure sensitivity, thin and a lightweight design.
2. Quality
The quality of heat transfer vinyl really matters since, with the rise of HTV brands in the market, some are of terrible quality. Needless to say, the best heat transfer vinyl should be among the high-quality types of vinyl, especially if you're in business and don't want to incur losses.
Good-quality vinyl means that it is durable, doesn't peel easily, and doesn't fade no matter how many times you wash it. To determine how good an HTV vinyl is, you can check the reviews from the buyers, as they are the best place to know the quality.
The best heat transfer vinyl should be thin because the thinner it is, the easier cutting and t-shirt transfers will be without damage.
3. Color diversity
The best vinyl for shirts needs to come with a wide variety of colors to cater for all your printing needs. Find vinyl packs that come in a wide range of colors because you will have many options to create any design you have in mind.
Apart from ensuring the product has a range of colors, you also need to ensure you pick a set of colors that are vibrant and trendy to meet all your needs for the HTV transfer project.
4. Heat Application
You need to know the heat source you're planning to use, whether a household iron or a heat press. For example, if you plan to use a household iron, we recommend you find the best iron-on vinyl.
However, if you're planning to use a heat press, you can use a wide range of brands. We highly recommend using a heat press for heat application on vinyl because it can be used on most vinyl brands.
5. Compatibility
Compatibility is another crucial factor that shouldn't be ignored. Buying the correct type of vinyl that matches the surface you're transferring is very important.
Ensure you check the label of your T-shirt and the product description of the vinyl before buying. The material should be compatible with what it will be used for.
6. Size Of The Vinyl
The size of the sheets will also depend on what you plan to transfer the vinyl to. The standard recommended size of vinyl sheets for t-shirts is 12 inches by 10 inches.
It is also crucial to be aware of vinyl rolls and sheets. Vinyl sheets are easier to use because they come precut and ready to use, while vinyl rolls give you the flexibility to cut your preferred sizes.
7. Adhesiveness
The most annoying thing about vinyl is its poor adhesiveness, which makes it useless. Finding the types of vinyl that stick well is essential, or else your project will be unsuccessful.
Most people find self-adhesive vinyl easier to use, but it requires a little more effort than vinyl with protective liners. These protections keep the stickiness fresh, so when it's time to use it, you simply peel the lining off.
8. Hot Or Cold Transfer
Different types of vinyl require different transfers. For heat transfer vinyl, it is evident that you need to apply heat on them. There are others that have a cold transfer, which basically means you need cold air.
Determine the kind of transfer that works best for you. Read the product description to find out the kind of transfer needed, either hot or cold transfers.
Also, when you buy vinyl, be sure to read the manual to determine the amount of heat the specific product requires because some may require little heat while others high heat transfers.
9. Quantity
This entirely depends on how big or small your project is. As mentioned above, the heat transfer vinyl may come as vinyl rolls or vinyl sheets. The rolls are meant for bulk projects, while the sheets are for smaller projects.
The number of sheets for iron-on heat transfer vinyl ranges from 20 sheets to up to 50 sheets. It is important to note that the more sheets you get, the more colors you get.
If you're not worried about the colors, consider buying a vinyl roll. Although you'll get only one color, you can complete more projects with it.
The sheets are our recommended choice because they allow you to carry out multi-colored projects at an affordable price. However, it is important to find one that has the quantity and colors that match your needs.
Two Simple Steps on Using Heat Transfer Vinyl
Step 1: Organize the artwork.
You can download pre-made graphics or create your own if you're an advanced user. Most vinyl cutters usually feature software that you can use to quickly and easily set up your image so that it's ready to print and cut.
Step 2: Print and cut
Once you are satisfied with the design you have created or chosen and ensure you have placed it to the right size, it'll be time to get it printed and then cut. Before you can send it to the cutter, try to mirror-image your design. You'll need to follow your heat press machine instructions to determine how to mirror-image the graphic. Also, read up on what cutting settings the vinyl brand recommends for HTV vinyl. Next, load the HTV into the heat press, ensuring the backing faces up. Then, let the heat press on the printing and cutting.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs) on Heat Transfer Vinyl
1. Is Siser HTV better than Cricut?
Yes, Siser HTV is better than Cricut because, with Siser, you get more on a roll than Cricut by an entire foot.
2. How well does heat transfer vinyl hold up?
The durability of heat transfer vinyl is excellent. Depending on the quality and application, it can last a long time and outlast the product without fading, peeling, or cracking.
3. What is the difference between vinyl and heat transfer vinyl?
Adhesive vinyl has a paper backing and becomes sticky when the paper is peeled off. However, heat transfer vinyl doesn't have a paper backing; instead, it has a transparent plastic sheet covering the top side of the vinyl.
4. What is the difference between Everyday Iron-On and Cricut Iron-On Lite?
The Everyday Iron-On is new and enhanced to be more durable and features way more colors, while Circuit Iron-On Lite is the older version of Cricut HTV. However, they're very similar, and you can use them for shirts, jackets, bags, etc. Besides, the everyday Iron-On has longer rolls and so costs a little more per roll.
5. Do you really require transfer tape with iron-ons?
Standard HTV doesn't require transfer tape for application. It usually comes stuck on a plastic pressure-sensitive carrier sheet, and you flip it over and iron it onto your shirts. Nonetheless, printable heat transfer paper does need a heat transfer mask to help transfer. Since this paper needs to be printed, it does not come on a plastic carrier sheet. So you usually apply the heat transfer mask to act as a carrier sheet when you transfer it onto your fabric.
6. How long should I expect the vinyl to last on shirts?
With great care, hand-washing vinyl on shirts can last up to 50 washes. However, even if the vinyl is machine wash-friendly, depending on the quality, it will not survive more than 40 washes.
