Make easy Heat Transfer Vinyl shirts with Stalhs Ultra week and Glitter Flake vinyl with your Silhouette Cameo or Cricut. This is a simple project for beginners and I walk you through the process step by step. People buy cutting machines to learn how to make t-shirts.Â
In this tutorial, I walk you through the process of making a heat transfer vinyl or iron-on vinyl t-shirt using the Stahls brand of heat transfer products.
Stahl’s Ultra Weed Heat Transfer is the perfect go-to vinyl for all of your basic needs when it comes to making t-shirts.
In fact, I was able to test out and review four different types of heat transfer vinyl from them, and I must say I was impressed with the overall ease of use and quality.
Stahls Heat Transfer Vinyl
Before I break down the process of making a heat transfer (iron-on) vinyl t-shirt, let me first explain the four types of heat transfer vinyl most people will work with when it comes to making shirts.
Ultra Weed Heat Transfer Vinyl
This vinyl is the go-to vinyl just like I mentioned before. It comes in 37 different colors which is a lot to choose from when making shirts of any kind of type.
The reason I refer to this vinyl as the “go-to” vinyl is because it is so simple and easy to use when it comes to weeding.
If you are a new maker to the heat transfer shirt game, weeding is simply the removal of the vinyl (after it has been cut) that you don’t want or need for your design.
Essteissnally the negative part or piece of the project.
Ultra Weed Heat Transfer Vinyl weeds so nicely it is like butter. I just don’t know how to explain any better than that, but that is the truth. In fact, in my video below, I believe I say it several times and even once like “buttah”. Just bring real here.
This vinyl adheres to fabric or your t-shirt within 12 seconds, at a low temperature of just 260-300 degrees. Apply medium pressure and peel the transfer sheet hot.
This is great because if you are a beginner a household iron will get the job done. And this vinyl will give you great quality every time.
You do not need a heat press for this vinyl. But if you are in the market one Stahls sells the cutest pink crafters heat press you ever did see.
It’s definitely on my list for my next purchase.
Premium Plus Heat Transfer Vinyl
The Premium Plus Vinyl is very similar to the Ultra Weed. Just like the Ultra Weed, it comes in just almost as many colors at 36 choices for all of your t-shirt making needs. This vinyl is thick to the touch than the Ultra Weed but not by much.
Currently, there are also 8 limited edition colors to add to as well. This vinyl has a little bit of stretch to it which is a nice feature when it comes to making t-shirts.
Once you get into making several, you learn to appreciate that little give and stretch feature.
Just like the Ultra weed, the Premium Plus vinyl adheres to the shirt or fabric at 12 seconds at 280-300 degrees, and medium pressure. You can then peel the transfer sheet either warm or cold peel.
Glitter Flake Heat Transfer Vinyl
I’ve worked with my fair share of glitter vinyl, but the Stahls Glitter Flake vinyl is pretty amazing. They have amazing colors and after trying it for the first time I couldn’t get over the gorgeous sparkle it provides.
I found my self stumbling my words because ideas were pouring in of all the shirts I wanted to make with Glitter Flake heat transfer vinyl.
Working with its amazing, and it comes in a variety of 56 colors! Give me all the glitter.
This vinyl also requires a medium pressure and again only needs 302 degrees to transfer to your shirt. You can also peel away the transfer sheet while it is still hot.
*Tip: Peeling the transfer sheet hot, or a hot peel is simply when you just finished pressing your design onto your shirt, and now you are ready to remove the top plastic sheet. Some vinyl brands require you wait until the vinyl has cooled down before removing. Hot-peeling is a great feature because you can save time, reveal your design that much faster, or begin applying your next layer sooner.Â
Flock Heat Transfer Vinyl
Flock heat transfer vinyl is one of the neatest heat transfer vinyl types to work with. I have only used it a handful of times,
Flocking or Flock heat transfer vinyl is used to create fuzzy or almost velvety like texture on the fabric surface it is applied.
You can also you Flock heat transfer vinyl to make rhinestone shirt transfers. It is also great for towels or beanies.
Stahls Flock Heat Transfer Vinyl comes in 22 different colors and requires 18 seconds for transferring onto the fabric or shirt with 330 degrees of heat at medium pressure. Due to the thickness of this vinyl, it is best to cold peel this vinyl, or peel it once it has been cooled.
Using Stahls Heat Transfer Vinyl
I gotta say that I was absolutely delighted when the sweet folks over at Stahls wanted to send me a box of their heat transfer vinyl for a review.
I unboxed and used it right out of the box for the first time in a Facebook Live. And after using it for the first time, I was really impressed with the results.
I only recommend products I love and use myself. After using it Live, and doing a little more research on their website, it packs a great punch to a well-known competitor. It’s also very reasonably priced and mostly comes in a 15″ inch wide roll as a standard.
Below is the Live video of myself unboxing and making a heat transfer vinyl shirt.
How to Make A Heat Transfer Vinyl Shirt
Once you have all the materials you will need to set up an area to create. The dining room table or your craft table is a great place. I made this in front of my Dreambox cabinet as it has all my supplies within the craft storage cabinet at an arms reach.
You CAN GET $100 OFF your own DREAMBOX using code: CRAFTYLIFE at Checkout!
You can also check out my Dreambox Setup in this video to see how I have it set up! I absolutely love the Dreambox setup. It really makes crafting so much more fun!
- Stahls Ultra Weed Heat Transfer Vinyl
- Stahls Premium Plus Heat Transfer Vinyl
- Stahls Glitter Flake Heat Transfer Vinyl
- T-shirt or fabric to put your design
- Iron, heat press, or an easy press
- A surface safe for pressing on (cushion or padded board)
- Heat Transfer design (you can grab this one free from the Resource Library)
Making A Heat Transfer Shirt
Once you download the design open it in your software. Then make sure you mirror the image before you begin cutting the vinyl
IMPORTANT! If you aren’t sure how to upload a design to your software check out this tutorial for Cricut and this tutorial for the Silhouette Cameo.
As you cut each piece, press the vinyl onto your shirt being sure to line up the design as you go through the project.
Once the project is complete, admire your work and wear your new custom t-shirt proudly!
Comments & Reviews
what were the measurements for each color for the rainbow. If im doing 3 colors on a large shirt what would be the size of each one?
The Silhouette Cameo 4 is only 12 inches wide. Which HTV do you recommend? I’m new to this, and saw a lot that are 15 or 20 inches. Thanks!
The latest models do come in wider options. I personally have the 12 inches wide one and find it to be great for many projects. I think the wider options would be if you are planning to do larger projects or decals for cars, walls or even big banners for businesses. Hope this helps.