Can you Overheat HTV? - Mistake to Avoid ( March 2023)

When you first start working with heat transfer vinyl, it’s natural to have some questions regarding a variety of related topics, such as: Can the temperature damage the heat transfer vinyl? Can you overheat HTV? Can too much heat exposure cause HTV not sticking to the shirt?

Heat transfer vinyl is an excellent material. It allows you to design almost any cloth surface. It’s one of the materials that many people buy a Silhouette machine to cut. However, sometimes there are issues caused by operator mistakes, which cause HTV overheating.

Before using HTV, three variables must be considered: temperature, pressure and press time. When you’ve used excessive of any one of these, the glue will overheat and deteriorate. That indicates it will cause adhering troubles in the long term, like vinyl not sticking to shirt.

Now, let’s look at what happens if you overheat the HTV and the difficulties that might arise as a result:

Table of Contents

Increasing the Heat Or Pressing Time When Vinyl won’t Stick to Shirt
Tips to prevent overheating HTV
The Bottom Line

Increasing the Heat Or Pressing Time When Vinyl won’t Stick to Shirt

We often start to question if the HTV is not sticking. Why is my iron on vinyl not sticking or why is the heat transfer vinyl sticky after pressing? We must believe that the pressure and temperature guidelines of HTV makers are based on rigorous testing.

Using a higher heat capacity or a prolonged pressing time will prevent the glue from accomplishing its work in the times to come. It will weaken or possibly evaporate as a result of it.

Repressing from the Garment’s Backside

Several newbies make this error. Flip the t-shirt around and apply pressure for a few moments from the back. However, doing so could cause the HTV to overheat, resulting in the heat transfer vinyl not sticking properly.

Full Time Pressing of Each Layer of a Multi Color Design

By utilizing many colors of HTV on a specific project, you cannot press each one throughout the whole time. When you do, the first color will have been overheated by the moment you go into the third or fourth. You also risk shrinking, which makes it difficult to align the pieces.

Rather, employ a “flash press” for everything except the last layer. That is, press for 1-3 seconds – just long enough to eliminate the carrier. Push at the bottom of the complete time range on the final color.

Trying to Press Various HTV Varieties Around the same temperature

When combining several types of HTV, the temperatures are frequently variable. Glitter HTV, for example, requires a greater temperature than smooth HTV. Press those ones that require a higher temperature first, then reduce the temperature of the iron and heat press for all those who require a lower temperature. If you’re pressing everything in one go, divide the temperature difference.

Slipping Adhesive underneath the HTV

Typically an adhesive “halo” is likely to surround the HTV on a shirt. It is visible around the deeper pink on some shirts. This is caused by the glue becoming overly liquidy while heated. It leaks out rather than remaining between the fabric. Excessive heat or pressing time is frequently the reason for heat transfer vinyl not sticking to the shirt.

HTV Indicates a Stiff Feel

Overheating HTV damages both the material and the adhesive. It becomes stiffer as it becomes larger, especially in large portions.

Ideal temperature for storing vinyl records

It is best to keep the HTV at room temp. The best storage conditions are out of the direct sun in a cool, dry place with temps under 72 degrees but still above 32 degrees.

Condition when vinyl is heated over 80 degrees

The condition is determined by its exposure to extreme temps, relative humidity, and whether or not the direct sun is there. Several things can occur:

If the vinyl is exposed to the sun for an extended period, it may deteriorate.
Direct sun or elevated temperature can activate the stick on the HTV, leaving it weak and far less resistant when placed.
Touch sensitive HTVs may tear or fall off the transparent carrier sheet, making application difficult.

Condition when the vinyl gets exposed to excessive heat during shipments

Temperature exposure during shipment usually has little effect on HTV. It is enclosed in packaging and is not exposed to direct sunlight. Most of the time, it’s simply a short distance from shipment facilities and transport vehicles.

If you observe any of the aforementioned difficulties, consider letting your vinyl return to room temperature to see if it solves the problem.

Tips to prevent overheating HTV

Vinyl rolls should be stored at a regulated temperature and humidity, with a target temperature of 75°F and relative humidity of 50%.
Storage temperatures above 75°F hasten adhesive deterioration and can significantly diminish the bond of the graphics in a year or so.
Storage temperatures above 75°F hasten adhesive deterioration and can significantly diminish the bond of the graphics in a year or so.
Typically, the cost is loss of adhesion, but items intended for the printing industry might have printing faults that render them essentially useless.
Maintain slow operating sheets in the coolest portion of the workshop or warehouse to ensure that things are of satisfactory quality when you eventually locate that small task that is “just perfect” for the partial roll.

The Bottom Line

Generally, things would go great if you simply follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your particular brand of HTV. If you are experiencing any of the concerns listed above, conduct some experimentation on any old t-shirt. Perhaps the temperature indicator on the heat press may be showing an incorrect reading.

Whether you possess one or a hundred vinyl records, you don’t have to worry about them being overheated or catching fire. If you are a serious collector, you should maintain it at room temp and avoid getting them too hot, since this could melt and distort the vinyl and damage the records.

Derrick Flora

Can you Overheat HTV? Mistakes to Avoid