Adhesive Vinyl Vs Heat Transfer Vinyl

Heat transfer vinyl is always cut with the glossy carrier side down.

Adhesive vinyl vs heat transfer vinyl.

Pressure sensitive vinyl is always cut with the glossy color side up and the liner side down. Heat transfer vinyl or htv requires heat and pressure to adhere to a surface. Now there is also the easypress mini that will work great for projects like these. Not all vinyl is created equal and often it can be a little overwhelming to decide which vinyl will work best for a specific project let alone how to best cut and apply it.

Both types of vinyl are available in either rolls or sheets usually 12 wide. Heat transfer vinyl is always best for clothing and for fabric items such as tote bags cosmetic pouches drink coolies mousepads and so on. Adhesive vinyl applies more like a sticker whereas you ll need a heat source like an easypress iron or heat press for iron on vinyl. Expressions vinyl has a robust collection of both quality adhesive and heat transfer vinyls.

Htv vs adhesive vinyl. You need either an iron or a heat press to apply htv and need transfer tape to adhere adhesive vinyl. Adhesive vinyl is best for smooth surfaces like glass plastic metal. Iron on vinyl often called heat transfer vinyl or htv has a heat activated back.

The use of heat allows the design to firmly adhere to the substrate making it more durable. Now if you are going to hand wash your mugs you can probably use either adhesive vinyl or heat transfer vinyl and any of the application methods mentioned. Both types come in a variety of colors. Heat transfer vinyl iron on vinyl t shirt vinyl or htv is a similar material with a heat activated adhesive that is designed to work with fabric surfaces or any surface that can stand the heat.

Should you use heat transfer vinyl or adhesive vinyl. I will say my favorite application method for the heat transfer vinyl on a mug was the mini iron. We use htv on clothing blankets hats bags canvas and even glass and some other surfaces we normally use adhesive vinyl on.