Caring for Garments with Heat Transfer Vinyl

Garments decorated with heat transfer vinyl will withstand washing and drying twenty times and more, if they are cared for properly.  Jim Hingst reviews the right way to wash, dry and iron garments decorated with heat  transfer vinyl.

By Jim Hingst

I am frequently asked how many times you can wash a garment with a heat transfer vinyl applique before it deteriorates.  Durability of this material all depends on the specific type of heat transfer vinyl that you are using and garment care.  If you are washing and drying the garment properly, a high quality heat transfer vinyl applique should last just as long as the garment itself.

The best way to dry a garment with a heat transfer applique is to hang it on a clothesline.

The best way to dry a garment with a heat transfer vinyl applique 
is to hang it on a clothesline.

Nothing shortens the life of a heat transfer vinyl graphic faster than improper washing and drying of the garment. To ensure optimal durability, you should follow the few simple rules that I have listed below.

Washing Garments with Heat Transfers.

Washing garments decorated with heat transfer vinyl graphics involves a little more than separating white garments from colored fabrics:

● To protect the heat transfer applique from abrasion as garments rub together during the wash cycle, turn the garment inside out.

●  Before washing, wait 24 hours after heat transfer vinyl application.

● Wash the garment at low or warm water temperature settings. Refer to the washing instructions on the garment label and the product application guide for the heat transfer material. In the ideal world, like fabrics should be separated and washed together.

● Use a mild detergent. Never use chlorine bleach.

● NOTE: Do not dry clean garments decorated with heat transfer vinyl graphics. It is OK to dry clean flock materials.

Drying Garments with Heat Transfer Vinyl Appliques.

The high heat in driers can cause much more damage to heat applied graphics than washing. To prevent heat damage to appliques, follow these tips:

● To protect the image from abrasion as garments rub against each other, turn it inside out.

● Tumble dry on the low temperature setting. (So clothes can actually tumble as they dry, never overstuff the drier. This practice will also minimize wrinkles.)

● Don’t overdry your clothes. Remove clothes from the dryer while they are slightly damp. Put clothes on hangers for final drying. Better yet, hang your clothes to dry on an old-fashioned clothes line. (Do not hang garments outside in the sun to dry or the UV light will accelerate the fading process.)

Ironing Garments with Heat Transfer Vinyl. 

When ironing a garment decorated with a heat transfer vinyl or polyurethane graphic, turn the garment inside out or cover the graphic with cotton cloth. If a hot iron touches the heat transfer vinyl or polyurethane film, it will melt the film, ruining the graphics!

About Heat Press Machines for Heat Transfer Vinyl

Selling heat transfer vinyl appliques to your existing customer base is a great way to increase your shop’s sales at high profit margins without a lot of effort.  The manufacturing process is not very complicated, so there is not much to learn. What you will need is a good heat press machine. Once you dial in the settings, the difficult part of the job is done.  Hotronix is one of the best brands on the market. Here are  some of their best selling models:  

Hotronix Hover 16x20" Heat Press Auto Open  - Heat Transfer Press Machine 

Features of the Hotronix Hover 16” x 20" Heat Press Machine:

● Heavy-duty professional grade machine with proven performance.

● Opens automatically. This prevents scorching of heat transfer films.

● Opens wide providing safe and easy layout and removal of garments.

● Easy to read digital display.

● Clamshell design saves space.

● Easy to use.

● Made in the U.S.A.

Hotronix Fusion Heat Press 16" x 20"

The Hotronix Fusion 16" x 20" Heat Transfer Press provides the following features:

● Large 16" X 20" heat platen accommodates most garments.

● Modern, easy-to-read digital display for time, temperature and pressure.

● Durable, scratch resistant powder coat finish.

● Easy to operate. Require minimal training.

● Heavy-duty construction for reliable performance.

● Energy-saving sleep mode.

● Made in the U.S.A.

Hotronix Air Fusion 16"x20"

 Hotronix Air Fusion 16"x20" Heat Press Swing-Away Table Top features the following:

● Heavy-duty version of the FUSION® Heat Press is designed for high volume work.

● Powered by an air compressor. Pneumatic regulator which auto-adjusts pressure.

● High-tech power with hands-free auto-swing for superior ease of use.

● Touch screen controller.

● 16"x20".

Hotronix MAXX Cap Heat Press 

Hotronix MAXX Cap Heat Press 3.5" x 6" provides the following features:

● Easy-to-read digital time and temperature display.

● Consistent heat and pressure from edge-to-edge.

● Coated non-stick heat platen.

● Lightweight and portable for mobile heat printing.

● Interchangeable platens available.

ARTICLES ABOUT HEAT TRANSFER FILMS

Printing Heat Transfer Films with Latex Inks

Changing Printer Settings in Roland Versaworks

Tips for Cutting Flock Material

Heat Transfers on Neoprene

Stretching Garments Prior to Heat Pressing

The Differences Between Polyurethane and Vinyl Films

How to Flash Press FlexCut StickyLT  

Laminating Application Tape and Hot Mask Films
Stretching Garments Prior to Heat Pressing
The Differences Between Polyurethane and Vinyl Films
Printing Tatoo with Seiko Fluorescent Inks
Reflective Heat Transfer Films
SEF Heat Transfer Films Instructions
Introducing Tatoo Printable Heat Transfer Films
HotMask Polyester Transfer Tapes
Correcting Plotter Cutting Problems When Cutting H...
Which Films Stick to Coated Fabrics? 
The Difference between FlexCut Sticky and FlexCut ...
Heat Transfer Films Product Application Chart
Rules for Overlaying Heat Transfer Films 
Comparing Heat Transfer Films with Screen Printed ...
Peel Recommendations for Heat Transfer Films
Heat Pressing Appliques on Leather 

Heat Pressing on Dye Sublimated Fabrics

Heat Transfer Films: Hot, Warm or Cold Peel

Processing Printable Heat Transfer Films

Shopping for a Heat Press 

Pressing Heat Transfer Films

Evaluating Heat Transfer Films

Plotter Cutting Heat Transfer Films
Cutting & Weeding Tips for Heat Transfer Films
The Trouble with Shrinking Shirts
Caring for Garments with Heat Transfers

About Jim Hingst: After fourteen years as Business Development Manager at RTape, Jim Hingst retired. He was involved in many facets of the company’s business, including marketing, sales, product development and technical service.

Hingst began his career 42 years ago in the graphic arts field creating and producing advertising and promotional materials for a large test equipment manufacturer.  Working for offset printers, large format screen printers, vinyl film manufacturers, and application tape companies, his experience included estimating, production planning, purchasing and production art, as well as sales and marketing. In his capacity as a salesman, Hingst was recognized with numerous sales achievement awards.

Drawing on his experience in production and as graphics installation subcontractor, Hingst provided the industry with practical advice, publishing more than 150 articles for  publications, such as  Signs Canada, SignCraft,  Signs of the Times, Screen Printing, Sign and Digital Graphics and  Sign Builder Illustrated. He also posted more than 325 stories on his blog (hingstssignpost.blogspot.com). In 2007 Hingst’s book, Vinyl Sign Techniques, was published.

© 2015 Jim Hingst