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Introduction To Heat Transfer Vinyl

New to Heat Transfer Vinyl?

Did you get a new Cricut, Silhouette, or Siser cutting machine for Christmas? Or did you receive one months, or even years, ago and just haven't taken it out of the box yet? Don't let that gift gather dust! With Expressions Vinyl, we're ready to help beginner crafters become masters of their machines and feel creatively inspired. Read through our blog to learn more about heat transfer vinyl (a.k.a. iron-on vinyl or HTV) and how to craft with this fun material!

Questions We Answer In This Blog:

  • What is Siser EasyWeed?
    • What are the different kinds of EasyWeed?
  • What types of iron-on vinyl are there?
  • What is mirroring, and why is it important?
  • What is multi-use paper?
  • What is a pressing pillow?

What Is Siser EasyWeed?

Siser is our favorite brand of heat transfer vinyl, and they make EasyWeed, which is the perfect vinyl for beginners. Siser EasyWeed is a heat transfer vinyl that lives up to its name: it's easy to weed. It also comes in a large variety of colors, so it's ideal for any project. Watch this short video for an introduction and see how to use it.

EasyWeed comes in many different types:

  • Classic (as seen in the video)
  • Electric
    • shiny, metallic
  • Stretch
    • stretchy, best with athletic gear and fitted clothing
  • Fluorescent
    • neon, bright colors
  • Reflective
    • reflects light, best for safety gear
  • Glow
    • glow in the dark
  • Adhesive
    • for use with Deco Foils

What Types Of Iron-On Vinyl Are There?

Besides Siser EasyWeed and its varieties, there are many other heat transfer vinyl materials for you to use. We carry:

  • Siser Glitter
  • Siser Sparkle
  • Siser Twinkle
  • Siser Holographic
  • Siser Blackboard
  • Siser Brick 600
  • Siser Metal
  • Siser Stripflock Pro
  • EV Puff
  • EV Patterns

Any of these options is sure to make your next project perfect!

What Is Mirroring, And Why Is It Important?

To mirror your vinyl means to cut it backwards. With heat transfer vinyl, you cut through the adhesive layer and the vinyl layer (but not the carrier sheet). Because you cut the vinyl "upside down," or with the carrier sheet down, the vinyl needs to be reflected, or flipped horizontally. If you don't mirror your design, your design will be backwards when the time comes to press it.

You only need to mirror your heat transfer vinyl if it has a carrier sheet on it. Every type of HTV we sell at Expressions Vinyl comes with a carrier sheet.

What Is Multi-Use Paper?

Multi-use paper is helpful because, well, it has multiple uses. The number one purpose for multi-use paper is to protect your vinyl when using a heat press or iron. Because vinyl can melt, we highly recommend covering your HTV with a carrier sheet, multi-use sheet, or a teflon sheet, especially when layering vinyl.

This quick video will also show some other helpful uses for multi-use paper.

What Is A Pressing Pillow?

A pressing pillow, or heat transfer pillow, is a special pillow designed to help you get the best results from your heat transfer project. We recommend using a pressing pillow when working with an item that has a lot of seams, buttons, or zippers, such as a baby onesie, zipper pouch, or hoodies with pockets. Simply place your project on the pillow, or place the pillow in your project, and press like normal. This quick video will explain more of the use and application of pressing pillows and when to use them.

We hope this guide helped you learn more about iron-on vinyl and makes you excited for your first project! We'd love to see what you make, so make sure to tag us on social media so we can see your projects, too! We're on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and even TikTok!

Dec 15th 2022 ExpressionsVinyl.com Creative Team

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