Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV) vs Iron On: What are the differences?
Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV) and Iron On transfers… they’re the same thing, right?
Well, not exactly. There are a few key differences between the two that you need to know, and today, we’re going to explain them to you.
Heat transfer vinyl is, as the name suggests, made with vinyl, and it’s best applied to your garments or fabric using a heat press. Iron-on transfers, on the other hand, are made with paper and ink. When heat is applied to the design and the garment, the ink transfers directly onto the garment.
Heat Transfer Vinyl vs Iron On Vinyl: the similarities
There are a few similarities when it comes to heat transfer vs iron-on transfers. Let’s look at these in a bit more detail.
Of course, the first and most obvious similarity is that both are applied to fabric using heat. That’s typically why many people think they’re the same thing.
Both types of transfers also do a great job of applying a colourful and funky design onto your clothes or fabrics to show off to your friends.
Now let’s look at some of the differences.
Heat Transfer Vinyl vs Iron On Vinyl: the differences
Okay, so what are some of the differences with iron on vinyl vs heat transfer vinyl?
As we mentioned earlier, heat transfer vinyl is made using a vinyl material, while iron-on transfers are typically made out of a special type of paper and an ink that is transferrable once it is heated up.
The heat sources that are used to transfer your design from your vinyl or paper to the fabric also differ as well. Iron-on transfers can be done with a conventional household iron, while heat transfer vinyl is best done with a heat press that transfers the entire design to the garment.
Unlike an iron, a heat press is a specially designed machine that applies heat AND pressure to transfer the design from vinyl to fabric.
The other major difference is that iron-on transfers can often be more intricate, and the design can crack, fade or wash away over time, especially when the garment isn’t taken care of properly. On the other hand, heat transfer vinyl designs typically have a much longer life expectancy, especially when taken care of.
This makes heat transfer vinyl much more suitable if you’re looking to get more long-term use out of your garments or products.
The best printing method for you depends on your specific needs
From this article, you can see that while there are some similarities between HTV and iron-on, such as the use of heat to apply the design to the fabric, there are also many differences as well. These include the kind of heat sources used to transfer, as well as the durability of the designs over time.
We hope that this helpful guide can assist you in making the best decisions for your printing needs. Of course, if you need professional custom printing services from the team at PrintLocker, we’ve got you covered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Iron On or HTV better?
The answer to the question of iron-on vs heat transfer vinyl largely depends on what you’re trying to achieve when printing your garments. If you’re looking to print a design that will stand the test of time, then heat transfer vinyl is a much more durable option.
Of course, if you just need something done quickly and easily, and using only the items you already have in your home, then iron-on transfer could be the simpler option for you.
Does heat transfer vinyl last?
Certainly! When you take care of your custom printed garments and wash them the correct way, using the instructions provided, then your heat transfer vinyl print will last a long time and look good as new for many years.
It’s also important to ensure that your HTV print is done correctly using a heat press to ensure the best and most lasting results.
So, does heat transfer vinyl last? Well, that’s up to you!
What are the advantages of heat transfer vinyl?
There are several advantages to using heat transfer vinyl. These include:
– Longer lasting prints
– Huge range of colours
– The ability to layer prints on top of one another
– Easy to apply
– Can be used on a wide range of fabrics
Does heat transfer vinyl last on shirts?
Yes, heat transfer vinyl lasts extremely well on custom t-shirts, custom sweaters, and various other types of clothing. Of course, it’s always important to take care of your custom printed garments and make sure that you’re always washing them according to the Heat Transfer Vinyl Washing Instructions for lasting results.
