Posted By TeckWrap Craft On October 31, 2023
HTV vs Adhesive Vinyl
Table of Contents
- Understanding HTV And Adhesive Vinyl
- Pros And Cons Of Heat Transfer Vinyl
- Pros And Cons Of Adhesive Vinyl
- Differences In The Application Process Of HTV And Adhesive Vinyl
- The Different Tools Needed
- To Mirror Or Not To Mirror
- Placement Of Vinyl On The Cutting Mat
- Placing The Vinyl Design On The Substrate
- Similarities Between Adhesive Vinyl And HTV
- The HTV At TeckWrap Craft
- The Adhesive Vinyl At TeckWrap Craft
- Frequently Asked Questions
When it comes to crafting and personalization, the two popular options widely used are Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV) and Adhesive Vinyl. These have distinct characteristics and specific applications. HTV has heat-activated adhesive and is used on fabrics whereas Adhesive Vinyl has pressure-sensitive adhesive and is used to decorate any hard surface that is smooth, clean, and dry. Another difference is that Heat transfer vinyl can be applied with heat and adhesive vinyl is not applied with heat. It's a sticker.
In this blog, we'll compare HTV and Adhesive Vinyl, the two remarkable materials that are used for making amazing crafts. We will help you understand the differences between these so you can decide which one is best for your project.
| Heat Transfer Vinyl | Adhesive Vinyl |
|---|---|
| This vinyl has a shiny smooth side with a transparent carrier sheet and a dull adhesive side. | This is a thin vinyl sheet with a paper backing. |
| HTV works best on fabrics made of cotton, polyester, and cotton blends. | Adhesive Vinyl works best on hard surfaces that are smooth, non-porous, clean, and dry. |
| It has a heat-activated adhesive. | It has a pressure-sensitive adhesive. |
| The design has to be mirrored in the software before the HTV is cut using an automated machine. | There is no need to mirror the design when the Adhesive Vinyl is cut in a machine. |
| When placed on the cutting mat, the dull adhesive side of the HTV should be facing up. | The paper backing of the Adhesive Vinyl faces down when it is placed on the cutting mat. |
| It needs a source of heat to adhere to the substrate such as a heat press or dry iron. | It needs transfer tape to adhere to the substrate with slight pressure applied with a squeegee. |
| HTV is either warm peel or cold peel which tells you how long to wait before removing the carrier sheet after the application of heat. | You can remove the transfer tape from the Adhesive Vinyl once you are sure that your design has adhered to the surface perfectly. |
| You can design fabric items such as t-shirts, canvas shoes, tote bags, onesies, and soft home decor with it. | You can apply it on surfaces such as walls, drinkware, sanded wood, glass, acrylic, scrapbooks, and mirrors. |
Understanding HTV And Adhesive Vinyl
In order to comprehend the difference between Adhesive and Heat Transfer Vinyl, it is important to be fully aware of their structure and working mechanism. Below is a brief description of each:
Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV)
Heat Transfer Vinyl, often referred to as Iron-On is a material with an adhesive backing designed to be applied to fabrics using heat and pressure for a specified duration of time. It is a versatile material that allows the transfer of intricate designs, colorful graphics, and detailed patterns on cotton, polyester, and poly/cotton blends.
HTV comes in numerous amazing colors and finishes to give your garments a unique look. These include Glitter, Metallic, PU, Puff, Glow in the Dark, Reflective, Chameleon Shimmer, Flock, Color Changing, and Pattern Heat Transfer Vinyl. These are commonly used for creating custom apparel like t-shirts, bags, hats, and home decor items such as pillowcases, couch throws, koozies, and more.