What is the difference between vinyl and HTV? (2023)

What is the difference between vinyl and HTV?

Adhesive Vinyl can come in all kinds of colors and finishes, but it will always have a paper backing and be sticky to the touch when that backing is peeled off. Heat Transfer Vinyl, on the other hand, does not have a paper backing. Instead, HTV, has a clear plastic carrier sheet that covers the top of the vinyl.

Heat transfer vinyl is, of course, made out of vinyl. However, iron-on transfers include paper and transferrable ink. When you apply heat to your custom HTV design, the entire design transfers onto your desired item. With an iron-on transfer, it's the ink that sticks to your piece.

Unlike Heat Transfer vinyl, printable transfer paper, Transfer Papers permits full-color designs in just a single layer. Transfer vinyl, on the other hand, has zero multiple layers of vinyl i.e., user can only use in a single press.

Permanent vinyl or adhesive vinyl is not the best vinyl choice for fabric surfaces or garments. But the question is, “Can you iron on permanent vinyl?” Yes, you can iron on permanent vinyl. You can use a regular iron or heat press on permanent vinyl to fabrics.

How to tell HTV/ iron-on from adhesive vinyl! - YouTube

When to use Heat Transfer Vinyl and when to use Adhesive Vinyl!

You can use iron-on vinyl on a variety of base materials, including fabric, metal, paper, and even wood. To apply iron-on to your project, you'll press it with a heat source, like a household iron or a Cricut EasyPress.

Cricut vinyl is another strong vinyl that can be used outside and on cars.

Premium vinyl is adhesive vinyl, like a sticker, it is either permanent or removable. Thus, it is best used for smooth surfaces but is not advisable to be used on fabrics or any piece of clothing. Premium vinyl may initially adhere to the clothing, but it won't hold up when washed and may peel off.

Heat transfer vinyl is a specialty vinyl material that is used to decorate or personalize T-shirts, garments, and other fabric items. HTV contains a heat-activated adhesive backing, which allows the vinyl to permanently transfer to your garment when heat pressed with sufficient time, temperature, and pressure.

Is Cricut iron-on the same as heat transfer vinyl?

Cricut Iron-on is basically their version of Heat Transfer Vinyl. Instead of it having a sticker-like adhesive, Iron-on adhesive backing activates with heat and pressure.

Siser Easyweed is 0.09 mm thick and works well with cotton or linen-blend fabrics, making it the top choice for t-shirt vinyl.

Not Enough Pressure

First things first, the most common reason your HTV may not be sticking to your shirt, sweater or whatever else you're applying it to may be because you're not using enough pressure. And pressure is important. Without it, your HTV projects may not be as long lasting as you would like.

Sticking problems during application

This usually happens due to a lack of pressure at the time of pressing. We usually adjust the time and temperature correctly but increase the pressing time if the HTV doesn't stick. Instead, we should increase the pressure.

Solution: Another reason your HTV may have wrinkles in it, is if it was pressed at too high of a temperature. Same with being pressed for too long, too high of a temperature can actually burn and cause the HTV to shrink as well.

To check which one you have after they are removed from their original packaging, flip the vinyl! If you see green squares, that's permanent. Gray is removable.

It doesn't feel sticky. It's not gonna feel sticky until you heat it up. Heat Transfer Vinyl, can basically go on anything that can withstand the heat; So obviously it can go on tshirts. It is recommended for cotton, cotton polyester blends or just polyester.

Once cut, weed away the unwanted vinyl areas to just leave your design on the carrier sheet. Take the sheet, flip it over to the correct view and place on your project ready to be heat pressed, no additional transfer tape is required on HTV.

HOW LONG WILL HEAT TRANSFERS LAST? With proper care of your garment (wash inside out on a cool wash, dry inside out on a washing line and iron inside out - no tumble drying or dry cleaning) the manufacturer recommends around 50 washes for the vinyl heat transfers, which do eventually crack and fade.

Permanent vinyl is well-suited for use on surfaces that will see a lot of washing or weathering, but it may damage surfaces if you try to remove it. Removable vinyl is best for indoor wall decals and other temporary applications.

What surfaces can you use HTV on?

After making your iron-on shirts, launder them carefully to ensure they last as long as possible. The good news is that shirts made with Cricut's Everyday Iron-On vinyl should last up to 50 washes.

However, there are some things you need to keep in mind. Using parchment paper for heat press works perfectly fine with fabric surfaces and vinyl. There's really no difference between this paper and Teflon.

When working with heat transfer vinyl, the shiny side of the material always goes face down for cutting. This shiny side is called the “carrier.” It covers the face (the colored side that will face out on the garment) of the HTV and holds the cut pieces in alignment during cutting and applying.

Easy to weed and durable, Oracal 651 is ideal for use on tumblers, window decals, car decals, signs, stencils, scrapbooking, or any other permanent application with a semi-smooth surface.