If you research the market, you’ll learn that there is a wide range of companies that manufacture different types of vinyl and they also use various heat transfer methods for applying it to different materials. One thing that all of these companies will promise you is that the vinyl that they’ve transferred will last long.
But, will it really last as long as the manufacturers claim? Fortunately for all individuals that are searching for an answer to this particular question, our article below can help! Here is everything that you should know about HTV, including how long it’ll last, the benefits, and as well as what it’s most commonly used for:
1. What is HTV?
Before we take a look at some other information that you might want to know, it’s important that we mentioned what it actually is. HTV or as it’s also commonly referred to as heat transfer vinyl is a special type of polymer. In most situations, it’s utilized for making various designs on textiles and its two main purposes are purely promotional and decorative. Some of the items that it could be put on include clothes and accessories such as bags and caps.
It could easily be trimmed and set on top of a piece of clothing by using a hot iron or a heat press, which is why a lot of individuals also refer to the procedure as iron-on transfers. It is available in a wide array of sizes, which either come in large rolls or sheets. Though they could be manufactured in one color, you’ll probably find more colorful options, including ones that are patterned, glittery, and there are also some options that glow in the dark!
2. So, How Long Will It Last?
It’s true, HTV can last for years. But, this is only true if you learn how you can maintain it properly. Why? Well, there are several reasons. Firstly, vinyl is an extremely strong material and it is capable of resisting your habits when talking about washing clothes. Second, the material won’t shrink or warp when exposed to liquids or higher temperatures. But, its durability will rely on the glue used at the back of this, meaning that it could weaken over time. So, if you care for it in the right way, it could easily last for more than 60 washes!
3. What Can I Do to Make it Last Longer?
Whether you’re planning on printing HTV by yourself or if you simply want to learn what you could do to make your favorite shirt last for a longer time, there are some tips that you could follow. Keep in mind, the longevity of the print will depend on how you take care of it, hence, to guarantee that it lasts for a very long time and that it doesn’t deteriorate quickly, you can choose to remember the subsequent tips:
– Let is Settle – if you purchased heat transfer vinyl sheets from HTVRONT with the hopes of printing your own vinyl for clothes, one of the most important things that you could do is to let it settle before you opt for wearing, washing, or ironing it. By doing so, you’ll allow the sticky backing to dry quickly, which will bond it to the material better, hence, the clothes you’ll create will last for a longer time.
– Learn How to Wash it – another quite important thing that you must do is to learn how to wash garments that feature HTV. When you clean it, you’ll have to turn the items inside out, and by doing so, you’ll basically be creating a protective layer, so, while it’s tumbling in the machine, it won’t get destroyed. Also, it won’t get rubbed by other items in the drum, thus, you could ensure that it’s protected.
– The Temperature Needs to Be Right – according to the experts from HTVRONT, a company that specializes in manufacturing a wide range of heat transfer vinyl sheets, it’s important that you utilize colder water when you wash the clothing. In fact, the temperature of the water shouldn’t go over 170F and if it does go over it, it could cause the images to break or peel, something that you’ll want to entirely avoid.
– Don’t Soak or Iron it – one of the biggest mistakes that you could make is to soak or iron HTV clothes. Both of these things will loosen the adhesive backing, and although it might not peel or come off immediately, it will after a couple of times of doing this. If you need to soak it to, for instance, get out a dirty spot, do so before cleaning it, and when it comes to ironing ensure that you turn it inside out and avoid the area where the vinyl is.
– Bleach And Softener Can Damage it – bleach and fabric softener won’t only damage the materials if used excessively, but it’ll also damage the image it features. Because of this, it might be suitable if you choose to wash it with other garments that shouldn’t be exposed to these substances, mostly because it’ll make sure that the print remains intact. So, if possible, try avoiding bleach and softener whenever you can.
Can I Fix it if it Starts Peeling?
No article on this topic would be complete without mentioning the fact that you could actually fix the print if it starts coming off after a period of time. Your first step needs to be to take your iron and set the heat to the highest. Next, you’ll want to locate the area where it started peeling, and from there, utilize the corner of the device to push on that area. You should keep repeating this step until you see that it’s attached to the fabrics again.
Conclusion
No matter why you opted for reading this article, heat transfer vinyl will last for a really long time. But, to ensure this, you must also ensure that you take care of it properly since if not, you could end up damaging the print, which is something that you’ll, of course, want to entirely avoid.
Since you’re now well aware of what HTV is, how long it prevails, as well as what you could do to make it last even longer, you shouldn’t waste any more time. Instead, if you’re planning on making HTV clothes, you should start looking for a company that’ll provide you with the sheets and materials you require!
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