5 Tips for layering Siser HTV
Put a fresh spin on your designs with multiple colours and finishes!
Siser® HTV provides all kinds of options for you to layer, however not ALL heat transfer vinyl can be layered. If you want to check if your HTV can be layered, reach out and we will check while Siser continue to update their AU site.
1. Close Cut Carriers
When trimming cut your design away from the sheet or roll of HTV it’s important to cut closely for a few reasons:
*Saves as much material possible
*Allows you to heat apply multiple transfers at one time
Cut back on production time by cutting your carriers closely. Overlapping HTV and carriers will adhere to each other instead of the garment, but if they’re trimmed then you can avoid overlapping and apply multiple colors at one time.
*Reduces the risk of a carrier impression mark on the first layer of HTV
If you’re getting carrier marks consistently, check out tip
#3. If they’re still an issue, lower your pressure
2. Short Presses
You know how in baking something can be under done, just right, or baked to the point of burning? Well applying HTV is kind of like baking. You don’t want to over or under do it since peeling can be caused by both a too short press and too long. When pressing multiple layers its important to remember that the first layer will receive the additional heat of each press afterwards. Say you pressed a 4 colour design for the recommended 15 seconds for each layer. The first layer would end up with a total pressing time of ONE MINUTE. That is one burnt cookie.
Use the 15 seconds only for the LAST/TOP layer so to finally fix the design.
*Prevent Over Baking HTV
All presses should be done with a cover sheet of some kind. Check out tip #3 for the reason why!
*Prevent Shrinking HTV
Over baking HTV leads to shrinking HTV! Short presses reduce the amount of shrinking from HTV and your garment. This is especially important for maintaining proper registration and alignment of your designs.
3. Use A Heat Transfer Cover Sheet
Siser offers non stick, reusable cover sheets, but if you don’t have one of those you can use parchment paper, multipurpose paper, or a pressing cloth like a clean piece of 100% cotton. The benefit of a cover sheet is that it:
*Prevents Shrinking HTV
*Protects Garment
*Protects HTV
Previously applied heat transfer vinyl without a carrier sheet (like the first layer of a multi-colour design) can melt or leave adhesive residue on the pressing platen. The residue on the platen may not be noticeable, but the next press without a cover sheet could adhere a random piece of gunk to the garment. A cover sheet keeps everything clean. Cover sheets also offer a layer of heat protection to prevent heat sensitive items from scorching.
*Alleviates Carrier Marks
Remember those pesky carrier marks we talked about in tip #1? Well they’re easily dealt with if you use this trick. Press the HTV with the carrier for 1-5 seconds, peel the carrier according to the product, then place a cover sheet on top and press for the remaining time. Peeling the carrier early prevents it from embedding in the bottom layer, and pressing with the cover sheet evens out any marks.
4. Glitter is ONLY A Top Layer
Glitter is the star of the show, so it’s never on the bottom! It might also have something to do with durability… Ok fine, it’s all about durability. The textured surface of Glitter does not provide an applicable area for HTV, It can cause the material to peel off after washing. So if you want to use multiple kinds of HTV, ensure your design leaves Glitter only on top. This rule also applies to Holographic.
5. Laundring suggestions
Take care of your work and wait 24 hours before the first wash. The glue needs time to set and become washing and abrasion resistant.
Check the recommended washing temperature of each one of the products you used and proceed with the lowest suggested one. For example, if you combined PS Electric (suggested washing temperature 60°) and Glitter (suggested washing temperature 40°), you’ll need to set your washing machine to max 40° cycle.
