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Printable heat transfer vinyl is adhesive sheets specially designed for stamping on clothing. The reality is that we see these items every day, and you probably have several T-shirts in your closet that have been personalized, thanks to these adhesive sheets.
Heat transfer vinyl is available in endless colors, textures, and finishes to allow users to personalize their T-shirts or any other clothing item as they deem most convenient.
There are various options for heat transfer vinyl on the market today. However, we shall take you through our top picks of the best printable heat transfer vinyl in this roundup and a comprehensive buyer’s guide to help you make a good buying decision.
The Siser EasyWeed Heat Transfer Vinyl is a superb mix of flexibility and diversity. It offers an easy flow when printing and makes your work easier and faster. Also, it gives your fabric an attractive look with the bonus of adhering to nylon.
Furthermore, the Siser EasyWeed comes with a pressure-sensitive carrier. The benefit of this feature is that it enhances cutting detailed logos and patterns. Also, you can easily peel off your design, whether hot or cold. Hence, removing each design as it comes off the press is pretty straightforward.
What’s more, you can stack the heat transfer vinyl together and remove them after finishing the process. This is easier than peeling them directly off the press. Moreover, you can layer the semi-gloss finish quite easily.
In addition, the Siser EasyWeed vinyl doesn’t only adhere to nylon but also cotton, poly/carbon mix, and polyester in a hot or cold peel. The vinyl is ideal for stretching clothing materials since the film material is pretty flexible and thin. So, you don’t have to worry about ruining or cracking your design.
However, the Siser EasyWeed is quite pricey compared to other heat transfer vinyl in its category.
What We Like:
Adheres to a wide range of materials
Comes in a semi-gloss finish
Carriers are pressure-sensitive
Comes in 12 colors
What We Don’t Like:
Quite pricey compared to other heat transfer vinyl in its category
Bottom Line
The Siser EasyWeed Heat Transfer Vinyl is a great option if you need a vinyl that offers both flexibility and diversity. It’s easy to use and comes in 12 colors.
The PrimeCuts USA Heat Transfer Vinyl is an affordable product from a pretty reliable brand. Its affordability and durability in ideal conditions make it one of the best heat transfer vinyl on the market today.
It comes in about 65 colors to meet different demands and needs. Even with its affordable price, PrimeCuts USA will give other pricey heat transfer vinyl in the market a run for their money.
However, even though manufacturers say it’s a permanent material, we don’t expect you to keep it in harsh conditions for extended periods as it may not last. It’s pretty durable, provided you keep it in an ideal environment.
Also, this heat-transfer vinyl is suitable for notebook covers, scrapbook projects, and more! Washing the vinyl won’t ruin the design as it’s water-resistant. So, nothing can stop you from using it for that nice mug design you have in mind.
Furthermore, the bundle is equipped with a variety of design options. There are sheets of metallic gold, matte, metallic silver, and brushed silver. Therefore, you’ll have the perfect textures for specific silhouettes and car stickers.
In addition, the materials used to manufacture the vinyl are environment-friendly and toxic-free. Hence, your kids can have fun with it.
What We Like:
Toxic-free and environment-friendly materials
Water-resistant
Great color options
What We Don’t Like:
May not last in pretty harsh conditions
Bottom Line
The PrimeCuts USA Heat Transfer Vinyl is a good choice for people who need something that’s quite affordable and yet effective. Also, it’s water-resistant!
3. TransOurDream (TRANS-D3-20) – Best Compatibility Pick
The TransOurDream (TRANS-D3-20) Printable Heat Transfer Vinyl is unique for its compatibility with most of the necessary equipment. For instance, it’s compatible with laser and inkjet printers, alongside scissors and cutting machines.
With this printable heat transfer vinyl, you’ll get good-quality prints that are vivid and vibrant. But that’s not all. The vinyl is pretty easy to use and transfer. So, as you’re applying it to a T-shirt, you won’t encounter any problems, and the outcome is something you’ll like!
Also, the TRANS-D3-20 allows washing with cold water in a full-cycle mode without fear of peeling or cracking. And you can wash the printable heat transfer vinyl about 30 times; it’ll still maintain its color!
Furthermore, you can use this vinyl to transfer texts, images, designs, and more to dark T-shirts or fabrics. Also, you can use a pressing iron or a professional heat press to do the transfer.
It also comes with Teflon paper, which helps absorb some of the heat that may cause incorrect peeling of a transfer. You can reuse it several times.
Unfortunately, you can’t wash the vinyl within 48 hours after transfer as it may alter the design. So, you have to exercise some patience before washing and using it.
What We Like:
Compatible with both laser and inkjet printers
Vivid and vibrant print quality
Machine-washable
What We Don’t Like:
Can’t be washed within 48 hours after transfer
Bottom Line
The TransOurDream (TRANS-D3-20) Printable Heat Transfer Vinyl is a superb option if you want a vinyl compatible with the two most common types of printers.
The TransOurDream (TRANS-D6-20) Printable Heat Transfer Vinyl has a high transfer efficiency. In addition, the vinyl is made from materials designed to feel supple and comfortable to the skin, unlike most heat transfer vinyl on the market.
With the TRANS-D6-20, you can make large design prints on T-shirts that are very bright and won’t give the wearer any form of discomfort even when they’re wet. Also, when applied to T-shirts, the design doesn’t peel or crack even after 30 washes.
This printable heat transfer vinyl comes in a pack of 25 sheets of transfer paper and 3 sheets of Teflon paper. As mentioned in the TRANS-D3-20 vinyl, Teflon paper prevents incorrect peeling after transfer; it’s necessary for a clean output.
In addition, using the TransOurDream (TRANS-D6-20) requires an inkjet printer, pigment ink, scissors or cutting machine, a heat press machine, and Teflon paper which comes with it right out of the box.
However, you can’t soak the TRANS-D6-20 in water for an extended period. The vinyl colors may bleed if it stays in the water for too long. Also, you can’t use bleach or alkaline detergents on this vinyl.
What We Like:
Comes with a high transfer efficiency
Pretty comfortable on the skin
Suitable for large design prints
What We Don’t Like:
Color bleeds if left in water for an extended period
Bottom Line
The TransOurDream (TRANS-D6-20) Printable Heat Transfer Vinyl is a good option if high transfer efficiency is a top priority for you. Also, it’s quite comfortable and great for large designs.
The Siser EasySubli is a perfect pack for people who are new to using printable heat transfer vinyl as it’s quite easy to use and apply on clothing materials or other items.
Also, the EasySubli comes in a pack of 10 sheets, each with a dimension of 8.4” x 11”. When you purchase this vinyl, you’ll get 10 sheets of EasySubli Mask, which is necessary for transferring images. Each of these masks has a dimension of 8” x 10” to give you the design you desire.
The Siser EasySubli is the only printable heat transfer vinyl on our list that requires a sublimation printer and ink. This feature makes it easy to use and friendly to newbies.
Moreover, it facilitates the creation of multicolor designs. Hence, you can quickly create both simple and complex color combinations on your T-shirts, sweatshirts, and more!
Another exciting feature of the EasySubli is that, unlike traditional sublimation where you need to heat up to 400°F, the printable heat transfer vinyl only needs about 311°F for a minimum of 15 seconds. Moreover, it isn’t limited to white polyester as you’ll have with traditional sublimation.
However, the downside of Siser EasySubli is that it’s quite pricey compared to other products within its price range.
What We Like:
Beginner-friendly and easy to use
Achieves multicolor designs with speed
Doesn’t require a lot of heat
What We Don’t Like:
Price may punch a hole in your pocket
Bottom Line
The Siser EasySubli Printable Heat Transfer Vinyl is suitable for starters who can afford a heat transfer vinyl that’s convenient and easy to use.
Factors to Consider Before Buying a Printable Heat Transfer Vinyl
Before buying a printable heat transfer vinyl, there are several factors to consider. They’ll help you get the ideal heat transfer vinyl for you. Below are some of them:
Type of Project
In the field of printable heat transfer vinyl, we can differentiate between two types: cut and cut & print. The first is the simplest from the point of view of the process involved.
So, the process begins with a computer, which will be in charge of making the drawing in question. Secondly, the plastic sheet with the stamped drawing is cut out and, finally, it’s ironed on the garment. Hence, you can use the cut printable heat transfer vinyl for simple works such as phrases, badges, or drawings in a single color.
On the other hand, the cut & print heat transfer vinyl involves a much more complex job. Therefore, it’s used primarily in cases where you want to print more than one color or an image. The process is more laborious than in the previous case. In addition, the vinyl to be used will be white or translucent and must have a certain photographic quality.
Hence, when selecting a printable heat transfer vinyl, we must consider the project we have in hand.
Color and Finish
In this comparison of printable heat transfer vinyl, we couldn’t forget a fundamental aspect, such as the choice of color. The good news is that these items are available in virtually every shade, from blues, greens, or yellows to blacks, oranges, or reds. The diversity of options allows for responding to the needs of any user.
Closely related to color is the finish of the product. At this point, the user can choose between printable heat transfer vinyl with matt, glossy, metallic, reflective, metallic, neon finishes, and more!
The possibilities, as you can see, are vast. It all depends on the effect you want to achieve.
Vinyl Material
Another aspect to consider would be the vinyl material. The most common are plastic, polyurethane, or PVC. These manufacturing materials have the qualities to adapt to their purpose: to adhere to a garment through a heat source.
If you’re wondering how much a printable heat transfer vinyl costs, this is one of the details that’ll influence the price the most.
Vinyl Measurement
When choosing one model or another, it’s crucial to assess its measurements. This is a fundamental aspect since you must consider the surface where you want to stamp the sheet. That’s why it’s convenient to know the size of the design to ensure that it fits perfectly on the corresponding sheet.
In the market, printable heat transfer pieces of vinyl are presented in packs that include several sheets or in a rolled format. One of the most common presentations is A4 size, suitable for working on smaller textiles, such as T-shirts or sweaters.
However, if your idea is to print a larger design, vinyl rolls may be the best option. Not surprisingly, their length could reach and even exceed a meter.
Type of Garment or Fabric
Of course, you should keep in mind what the fabric you want to print the vinyl on is like. This is simple since each vinyl model can only be suitable for specific fabrics. For example, one type of vinyl may not work as well on a cotton T-shirt as it does on acrylic, polyester, or leather.
In the same way, there are types of vinyl that are considered versatile because they adapt wonderfully to fabrics and other surfaces such as cups, plates, or any other element of ceramics, glass, or even the bodywork of a vehicle. If you’re not very clear about where you’ll use it, a versatile vinyl will suit you.
Cut the design you want to transfer, place it on the textile vinyl, and wait a few seconds to make sure it’s completely fixed. Afterward, you must wait at least 48 hours to wash it in the washing machine and thus finish the process.
What Can I Use to Cut Heat Transfer Vinyl?
You can cut heat transfer vinyl with the help of regular scissors or a cutting plotter. A cutting plotter is a special device designed to cut vinyl and other materials professionally.
Can I Use the Household Iron on Heat Transfer Vinyl?
Yes, it’s possible to obtain a good result using the iron you have at home. To adhere to the vinyl, place the iron on it and wait a few seconds until the design has transferred to the fabric.
Final Thoughts
By now, you’re probably familiar with the best printable heat transfer vinyl and have all the relevant info you need to make an ideal buying decision. So, to make things easier for you, let’s recap our top 3 picks.
Our overall best is the Siser EasyWeed, which stands out for its superb mix of flexibility and diversity. Also, PrimeCuts USA is pretty affordable and durable. Moreover, if you need a printable heat transfer vinyl that’s compatible with most printers, the TransOurDream (TRANS-D3-20) cuts.
