What is HTV? Heat transfer vinyl is one of my favorite crafting materials to work with. It’s a type of vinyl with a heat-activated adhesive on the back, which means when you apply heat, it bonds to a variety of surfaces—yes, even wood! But which materials work best with HTV, and how do you choose the right type for your project? Let’s dive in and find out!
I recently spoke at the Cricut Mountain Make-a-thon about my love for the material and its applications. I thought I would share a bit of that talk with you here, just in case you were not at the event. You will be surprised by the number of surfaces you can use this material on. It is time to think outside of the t-shirt!
I want to encourage you not to get discouraged. Perhaps you have had a failure with heat transfer vinyl in the past and think you really can't use it successfully. I am here to tell you that you can! I was in the same boat a year ago, but I have become a huge fan of the material. What changed my mind? The Cricut EasyPress has made heat transfer vinyl projects super simple for me. You can see all about my experience with that machine here. Then read on to find out more about how to use iron-on products on a wide range of materials.
What is HTV?
First, what exactly is the material we are discussing? Iron-on or heat-transfer vinyl (HTV) is a special material that can be applied to a variety of fabrics and other materials using heat. New to iron-on? With Cricut, you’ll be amazed at how fun and easy it is to create custom T-shirts, accessories, décor, and more. You can see the full range of iron-on products from Cricut by clicking here. We will discuss each one in more detail below. There are other brands, of course, but I have had great success with Cricut, so I am using it as an example here.
Which type of HTV is right for your material?
Now that you know what HTV is, you may be ready to dive in and use this material. But it is so confusing! What material do you buy for your material? Here is a simple chart to help you pick the right material for your craft project.
Having trouble reading the chart above? You can also print the HTV material use guide for free by signing up for the newsletter below. Simply enter your information, and the PDF will be sent directly to your inbox. Look for the box below with an image of the sheet you want to print. If you already receive the newsletter, please re-enter your information; you will not be signed up for anything further. Once you sign up, check your inbox and print your sheet!
Remember that this file is for personal use only. You can also contact me if you have any issues with your download.
For Use on Any Material
The following iron-on products from Cricut are good for any material:
These are super versatile and come in a huge variety of colors. You can add them to a variety of materials. You can also layer them up to 3 times to create unique designs of your own. Remember, however, that these do not have any stretch. We will get to the materials that stretch in a few minutes. You will also want to hand-wash any projects that you add foil to for maximum life.
Adding Sparkle
Add glitter and holographic sparkle to all materials except silk, nylon, and jersey mesh. These are the perfect way to add accents and a touch of special detail. You will want to remember that holographic is not recommended for items that require frequent washing. Plus, you do not want to layer any other type on top of glitter.
SportFlex Iron-On
Need a little stretch with your iron-on? SportFlex is here! This is great for use on polyester and nylon fabrics. Think workout shirts, swimsuits, workout gear, yoga pants, leggings, maternity shirts, and more. Be sure to layer only with itself to maintain that stretch. It is currently available in a wide variety of colors and is ideal for use anywhere you need stretch. You can learn more about this product in my post here.
Patterned Iron-On
Add style to your designs with a wide selection of patterned iron-on. This type of heat transfer vinyl can be added to cotton and cotton/poly blends. However, you do not want to layer on top of it. You can use the knockout method to add colorful accents if you wish. In other words, knock out words from a shape and cut the words from a different type of iron-on. Then the two will not be layered when you add them to your shirt or other project.
Free HTV Cheat Sheet
Get your FREE Printable HTV Cheat Sheet now! This guide has sizing and position recommendations for infant through adult shirts as well as a handy HTV use guide. Print this double sided guide and put it by any heat press you own!
Projects to Make
So, as you can see, there is an iron-on product for just about any fabric. But did you know that you can branch beyond just fabric? Oh yes! Experiment with heat-transfer vinyl on wood, paper, and more! Seriously, the possibilities are endless with this material. Are you ready to jump in and make some projects? First, visit our start guide for the basics, then use the links below.
- DIY Storage Box with HTV on Burlap
- Kiss the Cook Apron with HTV
- Wooden Box Centerpiece with Iron-on
- Farmhouse Wreath with Iron-on on Painted Wood
- Gender Reveal Ideas with Heat Transfer Vinyl
- Craft Apron with Glitter and Foil Iron-on
- Adding Iron-on to Leather
- Camp Shirts with a Variety of Iron-on Products
- Clothespin Picture Frame with an Iron-on Design
- Mini Garden Sign with HTV on Wood
- Reverse Canvas with Iron-on
- Hoop Wreath with Iron-on Banner
- Superhero Shirts with Patterned Iron-on
- Adding Heat Transfer Vinyl to Bows
- 60 more iron-on crafts!
And that is just the tip of the iceberg! We would love to see your heat transfer vinyl projects as well! Share them with us in our Facebook group here!
How many iron-on projects can you make? Now that you know what HTV is, there are many options available to you. Be sure to download and print our easy reference sheet, then order the materials for your first HTV project. You will be so glad you did!
