Adding HTV to a project is great fun and so easy. I this blog I will explain step by step how to apply HTV with a Cricut Heat Press. This will allow you to make some fantastic projects and personalised gifts.
To add htv vinyl to your project you will need the following items:
Design for the front of your project
An item to use with the HTV
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Choosing the design
To get started choose the design that you wish to use. This can either be designed by yourself or a design that has been purchased from somewhere like design bundles.
Once you have the design head over to design space. Click on new project and that will take you to a new blank canvas.
For this project I’m just going to be adding a picture of a zebra to a baby vest.
Getting Started
Decide on the design that you want to use and download the file to your computer. Head over to design space and click on new project. Click on the upload button on the left hand side of your screen.
This will take you to the next screen where you can click on upload image.
Click on upload image and you will see another screen appear, click on browse to locate the file you wish to upload.
Once you can see the file you wish to use click on the SVG file.
Now the file has been selected click on open.
You will now see your design on the prepare to upload screen. If this is the correct design click on upload.
You should now see your design in recent uploads.
Clicking on the image will put a green box around the file you have just uploaded. Click on add to canvas.
Your image should now be on your canvas.
Getting the size right
Measure the size of your baby vest or item. My vest needed the size of the design to be maximum size 8” high by 6” wide.
To change the size of the design you can do this 2 ways. The first way is to use the sizing handle in the bottom right corner of your design. Click on it and move it until the design is the right size.
The other way is to click on the width and height box at the top of the canvas and alter the size accordingly. The padlock in the middle means that they will both change in proportion unless you click on the padlock and this will allow you to change the height and width to the exact size you require.
If your design has several cut pieces like mine does, head up to the bar across the top and click on select all. This will select all the pieces of your design.
Then head down to the bottom right corner and click on attach to attach all the design together.
Let's get making!
Once your design is the correct size, we are now ready to cut the vinyl. To prepare the vinyl onto the mat you should place the heat transfer vinyl shiny side down and press firmly onto the mat. Load the mat into your Cricut by using the arrow button.
Now the mat is ready head back over to design space and click on the make it button in the top right hand corner. This will take you to the next screen where it will show you the prepared mat and your design on the mat. This is how the maker will cut the design.
As you are using Heat Transfer Vinyl you will need to click on the mirror button, this will reverse your design.
Head over to the continue button in the bottom right corner.
Selecting the materials
Select the material you wish to cut. If you need to search for your materials then click on browse all materials and this will show you all the materials that the cricut can cut.
I personally use premium vinyl as it gives consistent results. Once you have selected your material you have the option to alter the pressure. To get the best cut possible change the pressure from default to more. Change the pressure by just clicking on the box and it will drop down the options.
Once the cut has finished, press the flashing arrow button and release the mat.
To remove the vinyl, flip the mat over and peel the mat away from the back of the vinyl. This will prevent the vinyl from curling up.
Trim around the edges of your design to save excess vinyl for another project and to save time weeding. Begin to weed out all the unneeded vinyl, all you will be left with is your design.
Preparing the vest
Take a lint roller and roll over the vest to remove any bits or fluff. Place the vest on your easy press mat ready for heating up.
Time to press the design onto your vest.
For the final stage we now need to heat press the design onto the baby vest. I used my cricut easy press for this. I heated the heat press up to a temperature of 360 centigrade. Prepare the vest by heat pressing it up for 10 seconds to remove any moisture that may be in the vest. Line up the design in the centre of the vest.
Once you are happy with the placement of the design, apply the heat press and apply pressure onto the socks for 30 seconds.
Carefully start to remove the protective sheet from the vinyl. I like to do this slowly starting in the corner, if the vinyl is lifting up then just pop the protective sheet back down and press the design again and that should do the trick.
I really hope you have a go at adding HTV as it is so easy to do and you can make some great presents.
If you enjoyed this blog and would like to see the video I made then just click on the video below.
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