Adhesive Vinyl vs. Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV)

Adhesive Vinyl vs. Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV)

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The material that I use most with my Cricut machine is vinyl. Vinyl is broken down into 2 general categories: Adhesive Vinyl and Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV). Let’s explore the differences and learn which projects you would need each type of vinyl for.

1. Adhesive Vinyl

Adhesive Vinyl is essentially a super sticky sticker. It has a paper backing and will feel sticky when you peel it. You can buy it by the sheet or by the roll in a variety of lengths. You usually get a better deal per square foot if you buy in bulk. There are so many colors and varieties of adhesive vinyl: glitter, metallic, patterned, inkjet printable vinyl, easypsv, chalkboard, glow in the dark, etched glass vinyl, and more. I use black and white Oracle 651 the most so I like to buy those two colors in 12″ x 10 yard rolls. I don’t use colored vinyl as much so I like to buy variety packs of sheets.

Oracle 651

My favorite type of adhesive vinyl is Oracle 651 Vinyl. Many people refer to this type of vinyl as “permanent outdoor grade vinyl” because it’s designed to last 6+ years outdoors. Don’t be confused by this though, it is removable. It’s not dishwasher safe, either. It’s just much harder to take off than other types of vinyl. Oracle 651 vinyl is the same material that people use to make window decals for vehicles or custom wine glasses. It’s meant to withstand the outdoor elements for years. Oracle 651 comes in glossy finish for all colors. Matte finish is available for black and white only.

Oracle 631

If you’re looking for a vinyl that’s easily removable, Oracle 631 is what you would want. This type of vinyl is great for temporary applications on surfaces such as indoor walls or holiday home window decals that you would want to interchange with the seasons.

It’s great to know that there are so many options and color varieties available, but try not to get overwhelmed with all there is to choose from! Most of my vinyl projects are made out of black/white Oracle 651 vinyl.

Transfer Tape

Whenever you use adhesive vinyl (NOT HTV), you also need to use transfer tape. Transfer tape lifts your image off the backing and allows you to move it onto your project.

Products To Sell With Adhesive Vinyl

wine glasses
coffee mugs
travel mugs
water bottles
glass inside of a frame
lanterns
jar labels
wood signs
chalkboards
shadow boxes
ornaments
decorative plates
flower pots
and MORE!

These wine glasses and coffee mugs were made with black Oracle 651 vinyl. If you sell glassware like this, it’s a good idea to put a care card inside stating that the glassware is handwash only. Oracle 651 is not microwave or dishwasher safe.

Don’t like painting? Make wood signs with Oracle 651 instead!

Or try putting vinyl on a chalkboard!

Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV)

Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV) is a material that’s applied with a combination of heat, pressure, and time. It is most used on clothing and fabrics. You can purchase HTV by the sheet or roll just like with adhesive vinyl. It comes in single colors and also has special options such as patterned, glitter, flocked, holographic, glow-in-the-dark, 3D puff and more! Attached to your roll of HTV is a plastic backing called a carrier sheet. You can think of this as it’s transfer tape. Always place the carrier sheet (shiny side) down when cutting, and make sure to mirror your image first.

Applying HTV

HTV can be applied with a heat press, home iron, Cricut EasyPress, and other styles of irons. While in Design Space, mirror your image before cutting. Place your HTV on the cutting mat carrier sheet (shiny side) down. After cutting and weeding, flip the carrier sheet over onto the garment you want to apply it to. Put a Teflon sheet on top of the carrier sheet before heating.

Heat Press

If you plan on using your Cricut for business use, you’ll definitely want to invest in a heat press. Heat presses are best for a lot of reasons.

Accurate Temperature: Heat presses are better than irons because you can precisely set the temperature. This is important because HTV must be applied at an exact temperature (305° F / 150° C for Siser Easyweed HTV). Irons let you set the temperature based on fabric type (cotton, linen, wool, etc.) but they don’t give you a numerical reading. It’s a great idea to buy a digital laser infrared thermometer gun to ensure your heat press is heating correctly.
Even Heat Distribution: You need to have even heat distribution when applying your HTV. You don’t want one part of your machine to be really hot, and another part to have cold spots. One of the most common problems with cheaper heat presses is that they don’t have even heat distribution.
Even Pressure: It’s important to have the correct pressure, (light, medium, or heavy) for your substrate and material. You need to know pressure will be evenly applied evenly and at the right strength. Pushing down with a hand iron will not give you the same pressure that you will get with a heat press. Irons are much smaller than heat presses, so you’ll have to press the garment several times to cover the design. You’ll likely end up with uneven lines in the vinyl from this, too. HTV applied with an iron would not hold up in the wash as well either compared to if it were applied with a heat press.
Digital Timer: HTV needs to be applied for a specific duration of time (10-15 seconds for Siser Easyweed HTV). You don’t want to be fumbling around with a phone timer or trying to count in your head.

Having incorrect temperature, heat distribution, pressure, or time will cause the HTV to peel off your garment.

Clamshell or Swing Away Heat Press?

There are two main types of heat presses: Clamshell or Swing Away.

Clamshell Heat Presses are machines that open and close like a clam. The top platen raises approximately 45 degrees and lowers until you make contact with the bottom platen at which point you snap the press closed. I don’t like this style because you are more likely to get accidentally burned.

Swing Away Heat Presses are designed so that the upper platen swings away from the lower platen, rather than hinging up and down like a clamshell. It’s easier to adjust your garments with the burning hot platen moved out of the way.

Heat presses come in a many different sizes. If you are planning on making shirts, you’ll want to get a heat press of at least 15 by 15 inches.

Products To Sell With Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV)