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The best heat transfer vinyl is going to be made of high-quality material, come in a variety of colors, and easily, and reliably transfer onto your project.
With so many bundles of heat transfer vinyl, also known as HTV, it’s hard to know which is the best one for your needs. I’ve done the research for you to find the 10 best heat transfer vinyls for sale today.
Each of the below recommendations will work on a variety of fabrics and surfaces and with a variety of vinyl cutters and heat press machines.
Best Heat Transfer Vinyls
Here are our top 10 heat transfer vinyl reviews.
1. Firefly Craft Heat Transfer Vinyl Bundle
Best Overall
Firefly Craft’s heat transfer vinyl bundle is our pick for the best heat transfer vinyl. It comes in 15 rolls of the most popular HTV colors. Each sheet is 12″ x 20″, which works well with most projects. The vinyl is designed to work with the most popular vinyl cutters, such as the Cricut Explore Air, Silhouette Cameo, and US Cutter.
- 21 different bundle options to choose from
- Easy weeding – it really stretches!
- Great for all kinds of projects – shirts, hats, boards, leather, bedding, mugs, and thicker materials.
2. Siser EasyWeed Heat Transfer Vinyl
Editor’s Choice
Siser is probably the most well-known heat transfer vinyl manufacturer – and for good reason. Their EasyWeed HTV is great because it applies at very low temperatures, so you won’t risk burning your project or melting the adhesive. It peels easily, regardless if it’s cold or hot, leaving little residue behind. It’s highly durable and will last through many washes.
- 11.8″ x 5′ rolls
- Available in 42 different colors
- Works with any vinyl cutter
3. ImPRESSED Vinyl HTV 20 Pack Bundle
Best Value
This heat transfer vinyl bundle for ImPRESSED Vinyl comes with a nice assortment of easy-to-use vinyl that’s already been cut into helpful square sheets. What’s great is that this vinyl is meant to last. The manufacturer guarantees that it will last even after 50 washes. Not many other companies make that kind of promise.
- Comes with 20 12″ x 10″ iron-on sheets
- 8 color bundle options to choose from
- SGS certified eco-friendly
4. Outee Heat Transfer Vinyl Roll
The Outee Heat Transfer Vinyl roll is easy to cut, precise heat transfer vinyl. It cuts really well, even if you’re not using a vinyl cutter. It’s also really easy to transfer onto any of your clothing. We recommend using this one mainly for clothing, and not so much for thicker fabrics and things like mugs.
- 5 deep, bold, solid color choices.
- Each roll is 12″ x 10′
- Applies in as little as 15 seconds.
5. unuaST Heat Transfer Vinyl
unuaST is an extremely affordable heat transfer vinyl that works great with most materials – even thicker ones. In fact, we recommend using this if you’re going to be working with mugs. It’s very easy to cut and doesn’t fade, peel, or crack with washes.
- Comes in 12 colors
- 12″ x 10″ sheets
- Works with all vinyl cutters
6. JandJPackaging HTV Bundle
The JandJPackaging heat transfer vinyl bundle has 25 sheets of extremely vibrant colors. I recommend using this vinyl for decals, specifically on athletic mesh fabrics. It’s priced very affordable, so you can mess up and easily get some more.
- 12 colors
- 12″ x 10″ sheets
- Easy to weed and cut
7. HTVRONT Heat Transfer Vinyl Bundle
The heat transfer bundle from HTVRONT is a smaller heat transfer bundle compared to the others we reviewed. It’s great if you are looking to heat press only a few items at a time, or if you want to sample the vinyl before spending a lot of money on it.
- 10 colors
- 12″ x 10″ sheets
- Easily iron-on or heat press
8. Somolux HTV Iron on Vinyl Roll
If you’re looking to iron on a lot of vinyl of just one color, then the Somolux HTV Iron on Vinyl Roll is for you. Each roll measures at 12″ by 12′ of solid color. It applies well, transfers easily to most surfaces, and is very reasonably priced.
- 13 color options
- Glossy iron on vinyl
- Eco-friendly
9. CAREGY Heat Transfer Vinyl
Caregy is another reputable heat transfer vinyl manufacturer. Their heat transfer vinyl is great for shirts, but can also handle thicker materials. It’s highly-rated and well-reviewed because it works well, every time.
- 21 colors
- 26 sheets
- 12″ x 10″
10. Vinyl Frog Chameleon Heat Transfer Vinyl Sheets
Vinyl Frog makes our funnest heat transfer vinyl sheets on our list. These chameleon gradient colors provide an amazing color spectrum when viewed at different angles. They help your heat press projects come to life.
- 6 colors
- 12″ x 12″ sheets
- Thin, but strong and very durable
Heat Transfer Vinyl Buyer’s Guide
So, you’ve decided to start crafting with heat transfer vinyl (or you’re thinking about it, at least). Congratulations! Customization of various materials – garments, tote bags, and even mugs and plates – with heat transfer vinyl and heat press machines offers endless opportunities for creating unique items. With a little creativity, knowledge, and the right tools, you can even create your own business selling hand-crafted items.
But, before you plug in your heat press and vinyl cutter, it’s a wise idea to develop an understanding of heat transfer vinyl so that learn how to use it properly so that you can achieve the best results possible.
What is Heat Transfer Vinyl
Heat transfer vinyl (simply referred to as HTV in the crafting world), is a specialized type of vinyl that is specifically used to embellish fabrics. With a vinyl cutter, HTV can be cut into various designs, and then it’s weeded and adhered to textiles using either a heat press or a hot iron.
HTV features a special adhesive backing that is made out of plastic, which is weeded (torn away) from the material after it has been cut and before it is affixed to a fabric. One side of the material is the carrier side; it’s glossy in appearance and it keeps the pieces of the HTV in place while they are being applied to a garment in order to ensure that it remains properly aligned. When applying the cut vinyl to a garment, the carrier side should be facing up.
Types of Heat Transfer Vinyl
HTV is available in both rolls and pre-cut sheets of varying sizes. There are a myriad of colors, textures, patterns, and finishes available, too. If you’re planning on using the same type of HTV to create multiple designs, than purchasing a roll is likely more economical. When you’re just learning how to use HTV or you only want to create a small amount of designs from a specific color or pattern, than pre-cut sheets may be a better option.
In addition to rolls and pre-cut sheets, as well as the wide range of styles, there are also a variety of different types of heat transfer vinyl. Some of the more common types of HTV include:
- Standard HTV
- Performance wear HTV (stretchy)
- Glitter HTV
- Shiny/holographic HTV
- Metallic HTV
- Pearlescent/shimmery HTV
- Glow-in-the-dark HTV
- Flock HTV
Each type of heat transfer vinyl has a recommended temperature, pressure, and time for pressing setting. To ensure proper application, it’s important to note those settings and adjust your heat transfer machine accordingly. Additionally, it’s important that you conduct a few test cuts and modify the settings on your vinyl cutting machine to ensure the best results.
HTV Terms
Like most things in the crafting world, there are certain terms that are associated with HTV. These terms describe properties of the material, tools that are used to work with it, as well as strategies that are involved with using it. Essential terms that you should be familiar with include:
- The removal of excess vinyl material after a design has been cut into HTV
- A tool that is used to remove excess vinyl; it’s shaped like a hook and made of stainless steel.
- Vinyl cutter. A machine that features a sharp blade that cuts designs into the material.
- Heat press. The machine that attaches cut and weeded HTV to fabric; it utilizes heat, pressure, and time to adhere the vinyl to the substrate.
- Heat transfer cover sheets. Sheets that are made of heatproof material, such as Teflon, and protect the material from being burned while the vinyl is being applied by a heat press machine.
There are so many things to learn about HVT. Take the time to familiarize yourself with this incredible material and you’ll discover a world of endless crafting possibilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the questions we often hear about heat transfer vinyl.
Does the quality of heat transfer vinyl matter?
Yes, the higher the quality of heat transfer vinyl, the easier it will apply and the longer it will last. You truly get what you pay for. Buying a higher quality HTV means you won’t have to reapply it anytime soon.
What is the best heat transfer vinyl for shirts?
The best heat transfer vinyl for shirts is the Firefly Craft Heat Transfer Vinyl Bundle. It is easy to apply and remains on the shirt no matter how many times you wash it.
What is the best heat transfer vinyl for mugs?
UnuaST makes the best heat transfer vinyl for mugs. It applies easily and doesn’t crack, peel, or fade when washed.
What is the best heat transfer vinyl for leather?
The best heat transfer vinyl for leather is the Firefly Craft Heat Transfer Vinyl Bundle. Leather requires high-quality heat transfer vinyl in order for it to permanently stick. The Firefly Craft HTV Bundle is just that.
What is the best heat transfer vinyl for hats?
ImPRESSED Vinyl makes the best heat transfer vinyl for hats. Because it is cold peeled, it doesn’t peel off when you’re done initially ironing it on the hat. This creates a lasting bond between vinyl and hat.
What is the best heat transfer vinyl for pillow cases?
Outee makes the best heat transfer vinyl for pillow cases. It is designed to work with the same fabrics that pillow cases are made of – cotton, polyester, and cotton/poly blends.
What is the best heat transfer vinyl for thicker pile materials?
Caregy makes the best heat transfer vinyl for thicker materials. Because it’s so thin, yet heavy duty, heat easily transfers right through the vinyl and thoroughly applies the adhesive, making it easily stick to thicker fabrics.
What is the best heat transfer vinyl for fleece?
The Siser EasyWeed Heat Transfer Vinyl is the best heat transfer vinyl for fleece fabric. Because Siser EasyWeed applies at a low temperature, there’s no risk in damaging your fleece fabric.
What is the best gloss finish heat transfer vinyl?
The Siser EasyWeed Heat Transfer Vinyl is the best gloss finish vinyl. It applies easily and looks great even after many washes.
Is heat transfer vinyl and iron on vinyl the same thing?
Yes, they are the same thing. However, iron on vinyl can be used with an iron, heat press, or an EasyPress machine, whereas heat transfer vinyl typically only works with a heat press.
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