HTV Safety, Care & Tips:
There are so many Heat Transfer Vinyl-HTV choices on the market so here are a few important things to help you find a good, safe product.
We look for products that provide long lasting vibrant prints, have no harmful Phthalates, have a nice Low Hand & last well in the wash.
1. HTV Safety Standards are key in deciding which HTV to use. Our rule of thumb is 'If it's safe for Babies it's safe for All' so don't let the allure of cheap prices cause you to skip this point. CPSIA Safety Standards HTV Vinyl without certification can release harmful chemicals during washing & drying known to cause mild skin irritation & rashes in children & worse. Uncertified HTV can also emit toxins when heated, which waft right into your face while pressing them!
2. Another point to consider is how thick is the HTV? Thicker HTV is more likely to crack & ruin your design prematurely, especially in the dryer. Some products state they have a Low Hand meaning it's hard to feel once pressed on & it makes it longer lasting because of it.
3. A Matte finish is very popular with high end clothing brands & tends to be more pliable & a better quality than many of the Gloss HTV but there is a place for Metallic & Glitter HTV so don't rule it out, just be aware that it may not last quite as long.
Which Fabrics work best with HTV Vinyl?
4. The Fabric you use with your HTV plays a huge roll in the long term life expectancy of your design. High percentages of Cotton cause the garment to shrink so the design cracks. A cotton/poly blend doesn't shrink as much and 100% Poly barely shrinks at all. Avoid the shrinkage, avoid the cracks.
If you must use 100% Cotton, at least buy it preshrunk or pre-wash it. Price can't be the only factor if you're trying to create a long term business with a reputation for quality products or would simply like the gifts you give to last longer than a couple washes.
How to Care for Heat Transfer HTV:
5. Care Instructions: Wait 24 hours to wash. Turn garment inside out & wash on warm or cold with mild detergent. Use NO Bleach & NO Fabric Softener! Dry on normal or damp dry setting but hanging to dry helps the print last even longer & reduces garment shrinkage which causes HTV to crack. Do NOT dry clean & Do NOT iron the front of the design. We include a 'Care Card' with our clothes so customers can keep our printed clothes looking great, long term.
NOTE: All HTV manufacturers have their own specs for temperature, time & fabric compatibility so always follow them for best results. Use only compatible brand HTV Transfer Mask with your HTV since they're designed to work together with matching times & temperatures.
EZ-Tip: Label any left over HTV with specs for each Brand & seal it in a clean, dry bin or bag to avoid lint, dust & heat. Lay sheets flat & rolls standing.
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