How to Use HTVRONT Sublimation HTV

HTVRONT Sublimation Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV) is a fantastic product to work with your crafting projects. This sublimation HTV allows you to transfer vibrant and long-lasting sublimation prints on dark fabrics by combining the qualities of sublimation and HTV. 

The catch with HTVRONT Sublimation HTV is that you’ll be able to sublimate on materials and surfaces that aren’t sublimation-friendly easily. Keep reading to understand how to use HTVRONT Sublimation HTV effectively in your projects.

HTVRONT Sublimation HTV acts as an intermediary layer when transferring sublimation ink designs to dark fabrics. Sublimation alone cannot work on dark materials without having an intermediary layer. This is where HTVRONT sublimation HTV comes in handy. Now let’s learn how to use it in your home and professional projects.

Before starting your sublimation project with HTVRONT Sublimation HTV, there are several supplies and materials you’ll need to have with you. Here’s a list that will guide you:

After gathering your materials and supplies, it’s time to get to work and complete your project. Follow the steps below to start sublimating on dark fabrics and surfaces with ease.

Start by designing your image using design software. Some of the popular design software available include Loklik Ideastudio, Adobe Illustrator, Cricut Design Space, Canva, and Silhouette Studio. Adobe and Canva can be used by anyone to design but most crafters use Cricut and Silhouette because they support different materials and configurations. 

However, we recommend HTVRONT's sister brand Loklik because it’s a better software that supports more than 100 material parameter configurations, which is better than the only 10 options of Cricut. Make sure the size of the image matches the area of the garment you want to design. Now use a sublimation printer to print your created design. You’ll have to mirror the design before printing for extra accuracy. To get high-resolution images, set your color mode to CMYK for more accurate printing.

The next step is to cut the sublimation HTV you purchased from HTVRONT. You can use a scissor to trim the size of your design. However, if you’re dealing with intricate shapes and you want more accurate cuts, we recommend you use a cutting machine like Cricut or Silhouette. 

When cutting your design, ensure the plastic carrier sheet of your HTV is facing downwards, and then adjust the settings of your cutting machine according to the thickness of your HTVRONT Sublimation HTV. Run some test cuts before cutting the actual design so that you limit making mistakes.

After cutting your design, you’ll notice some excesses around the edges interfere with its shape. You need a weeding tool to cut these off to have a perfect design before starting your sublimation process. Consider purchasing a weeding tool kit so that you make your future projects a lot easier.

You have to make sure your fabrics are very clean and dry. Just to be sure and prevent any issues when the ink is transferred, you need to preheat your fabrics. Use an iron-to-iron or a heat press to preheat your garments at medium-high temperatures for about 10 to 15 seconds. The normal temperature for most HTVs is about 300°F ( 150°C ). 

Use a lint roller to remove dust and other particles from your fabric. Preheating and lint rolling your fabrics will remove any moisture and smooth out wrinkles that would prevent proper adhesion of your designs.

Once your fabrics are set and designs are printed, it’s time to start the application process and soon you shall be admiring your project.

Position your weeded HTV design on the part of the fabric you’re customizing. Make sure the vinyl side is facing downwards and the clear carrier sheet facing upwards.

Cover the design with a Teflon sheet or parchment paper to prevent scorching or sticking when heating. Adjust your heat settings to 320°F ( 160°C ) and heat press for about 8 to 15 seconds with medium pressure. 

If you’re using the new HTVRONT Auto Heat Press II you’ll not need to worry about pressure and pressing time because everything is automated. If you’re using an iron, make sure you apply even pressure all over your design for 15 to 20 seconds for the HTV to adhere properly.

This will be a cool peel. So wait for the vinyl to cool down slightly before you start peeling off the carrier sheet carefully.

Once you’ve successfully applied your HTV on the fabric, you need to transfer the sublimation ink design onto it. Position the sublimation print with the ink side facing down over the HTV area of your fabric. 

Use the heat tape to secure the sublimation paper over the HTV for accurate transfer.

Cover the sublimation print with a Teflon sheet or parchment paper to prevent the ink from transferring to your heat press or iron. Adjust your heat settings to around 375°F to 400°F (190°C to 205°C) and press for about 40-60 seconds. If you’re using an iron, apply firm and even pressure for about 60 to 80 seconds thoroughly covering the entire design area.

Now let the fabric cool down and peel away the sublimation paper to reveal the design you’ve transferred.

Now inspect the design to confirm if the transfer was even and vibrant as you intended. If any part of the design looks faded, re-press for about 10 seconds. Let your fabric cool down and the design rest for about 24 hours for the sublimation ink to fully set in your fabric before washing. After 24 hours, wash in cold water and air dry for your designs to be long-lasting. Turn your garment inside out and use a gentle cycle. Also, avoid harsh detergents and high-heating dying because they can damage your design.

You can have a look at this HTVRONT video on YouTube to get more insight on How to Use HTVRONT Sublimation HTV for dark fabrics. Try looking for as much information as possible from crafters on social media platforms to make your sublimation projects a success.

Working with HTV can be challenging sometimes so here are some of the common problems you’ll encounter and how to solve them.

HTV Peeling/Lifting: Your HTV might start peeling or lifting off your fabric, especially at the corners. To solve this issue, ensure your fabric is smooth and dry before re-pressing again for about 10 seconds . You might have to do this a couple of times especially if you’re working with a large and intricate design.

Faded Colors: This is caused when the sublimation ink has not transferred properly or fully. Adjust your heat settings to 365°F (185°C) and press for 30-45 seconds while applying even and firm pressure. Ensure you’ve secured the sublimation paper over the HTV with a heat tape. If the colors still appear faded, increase your pressing time but be careful not to scorch your designs.

Blurry/ Smudged Prints: This happens when the heat press moves once you’ve positioned it. Any slight shift of sublimation paper will cause ghosting or double images that will end up appearing blurry or smudged. Make sure your sublimation paper has been positioned accurately over the HTV. Use medium pressure when pressing because too much pressure can cause the ink to bleed causing smudging.

Warping/ Shrinking HTV: This is because of incorrect heat settings which leads to overheating or underheating of the HTV. You need to stick to the recommended temperature settings which is normally about 300°F for HTV and 365°F for sublimation. Also, avoid overpressing during application.

Carrier Sheet Peeling with HTV: At times, the carrier sheet can be tough to peel off without lifting the HTV. This happens because you don’t give the design ample time to cool off before peeling. Let your HTV cool down slightly before peeling the carrier sheet. If this persists, repress the design for an additional 3 to 5 seconds and try peeling again.

Keep the following tips in mind when doing your HTVRONT Sublimation HTV projects for you to be successful:

• Follow Care Instructions: Once you’ve completed your project, wait for at least 24 hours before washing your fabrics. Follow the care instructions of your fabric and avoid harsh detergents and fabric softeners for longevity.

Here’s a list of frequently asked questions by those who’ve tried using HTVRONT Sublimation HTV in their projects. These questions can prepare you well for your next sublimation project on dark fabrics and surfaces. Let’s have a look at them:

Nothing is stopping you now, start designing that dark fabric you’ve always wanted to design but didn’t know how. Share this information with friends and family, they might find it useful too. Thank you for your time!