Why is My Glitter Vinyl Not Working With My Cricut Easy Press
Being able to decorate your own shirt, bag, blanket, hat, etc. is so much fun! It allows you to really express your creative side without being limited to production companies or other artists. But sometimes projects hit road bumps or do not work as planned. Here is a quick guide that should help everyone solve the most common problems with applying HTV!
HTV Peeling Up
Example: I pressed an adorable shirt for a friend, but it is peeling up after just one day!
Solution: The most common reason your HTV is not sticking is due to pressure. You basically want the vinyl's adhesive to melt into the fibers of the shirt. Since the vinyl is so light, it will not do that on its own and depends on your press to push it into your material. Tighten down your pressure knob or really put your body weight into your Easypress/iron. This should help your HTV stick much better!
Solution: Another reason your vinyl may not be sticking is if it cannot lay level on your whole pressing plate. If your project has any buttons, seams, zippers, folds, bindings, straps, etc. it may not allow the plate to reach your HTV. Since the press will stop at the highest point on the plate, you may not actually touch the HTV. If this is the case, use a pressing pillow to help raise up your HTV and lower your seams, snaps, etc.
Craft Perfect Not Sticking
Example: I bought Happy Crafters Craft Perfect, but it will not stick to my shirt.
Solution: Craft Perfect is a great product but it can be picky with Cotton. Make sure that your shirt or material is not 100% cotton. Any type of polyester, poly/cotton blend, spandex, or lycra is ideal for Craft Perfect.
Solution: If you have made sure your shirt is not 100% cotton and it is still not sticking, check your pressure. Craft Perfect needs a lot of pressure to adhere properly. Adjust your pressure dial or knob to a good firm pressure or really put a lot of pressure behind your Easypress/Iron.
HTV Wrinkling After Being Pressed
Example: My shirt has wrinkles and lines in the vinyl after I applied my design to my shirt.
Solution: One of the reasons your shirt has wrinkles in it is if you pressed it for too long. Double check your time settings for your vinyl. If you press your HTV for too long, the vinyl will shrink thus causing stress lines in the HTV.
Solution: Another reason your HTV may have wrinkles in it, is if it was pressed at too high of a temperature. Same with being pressed for too long, too high of a temperature can actually burn and cause the HTV to shrink as well.
HTV Peeling After Washing
Example: My customer washed their new shirt and all the letters are peeling up.
Solution: Be sure to wait 24 hours after applying your vinyl before washing. HTV also does not do well when it is washed with harsh soaps or fabric softeners. You can view a full list of HTV laundering care instructions here: https://www.happycrafters.com/7-tips-for-washing-shirts-with-htv .
Solution: If your HTV is still peeling after following all the care and wash instructions, then it could be a pressure issue when it was applied. You can repress your HTV one more time with a lot more pressure than the first time it was pressed.
Can't Peel Carrier Sheet After Pressing
Example: I pressed my vinyl and the carrier sheet will not release from the HTV
Solution: One possible reason your carrier sheet will not release from your HTV is because it could require a cold peel. Check your HTV's recommended peeling settings. Some vinyl needs to cool down before it will adhere to your material and release from the carrier sheet.
Solution: Your HTV may not have adhered to your shirt. Check that you applied enough pressure or that your heat press can press evenly onto your material. By adding more pressure or a pressing pillow your vinyl should now adhere properly.
HTV Not Weeding Correctly
Example: I cut a really nice design on my cutter and it will not weed cleanly.
Solution: Check your blade. If all your cut and depth settings are correct, you may need a new blade. Blades dull overtime and that time depends on how much you are cutting and the materials that are being cut. A dull blade will snag on the material, not cut all the way through, and or not cut in certain spots.
Solution: Another solution if your blade is new, is to slow down the cutting speed. Some materials like Siser® Easyweed® Stretch and Craft Perfect are stretchy and may get stuck on the blade if it is going too fast.
Extra Tips and Tricks
Example : I am using an Easypress and my vinyl will not stick to my shirt.
Solution: Pressure is key when working with HTV. Since the Easypress is a large hand iron it does not add enough pressure to the vinyl by itself. Put the press on a low table or the floor and really put your body weight onto your press. This will give your vinyl good pressure to melt into the fibers of your shirt.
Example : I am pressing my shirt on my ironing board and the vinyl will not adhere.
Solution: Ironing boards are great for ironing your shirts or jeans, but not good for HTV. Since they are springy and have lots of cushion, they do not actually allow for good application of your vinyl. You need to get a good pressure connection between the press and material.
Example : I have followed the cut settings and it is still not cutting correctly.
Solution: The cut settings are just a rough guideline. If it is not working for you, then try something different. We always recommend making a few test cuts before you cut your final project. Every machine will react just slightly different, so take the cut settings as a quick start guide and adjust them as you see fit.
Example : My vinyl will not stick so I pressed it multiple times and it still will not stick.
Solution: One extra press is usually alright, but if you over press your vinyl it is possible to burn the adhesive right off. If it is heated for too long the adhesive will ooze out of the sides and there will be nothing left to stick the vinyl to the shirt.
Example: I tried applying HTV to a waterproof bag and it will not stick.
Solution: HTV does not always like to stick to material that has a waterproof coating. You can try to remove the coating with some rubbing alcohol in the area you wish to put the vinyl. There is no guarantee that this will work, but it can worth the try!
I hope these tips and tricks helped you out! Have fun creating some awesome T-shirts, bags, and customized gear!
Source: https://www.happycrafters.com/troubleshooting-htv-why-isnt-my-vinyl-sticking-easypress-tips
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