Tips & Tricks on Using HTV on Fleece

The holidays are just around the corner, and it’s an exciting season for craft enthusiasts like us. With your adorable craft ideas, you get to customize not just your experience but also those of your loved ones.

And if it is personalization that you want, what better way to do it than with Heat Transfer Vinyl. There are tons of stuff out there that goes well with this material, but if you’re looking for something special, then this one’s definitely for you-FLEECE!

So let us not wait any further. Let’s plunge into whatever fun HTV on fleece will bring to us.

 Clearing the air…Can you iron fleece material?

Yeah, I know! You’re probably second-guessing about applying high temperature on fleece since the fabric itself is a bit susceptible to heat. Well, cast your doubts aside because we are happy to tell you that fleece can be ironed. But it will require a little taste of your patience since you need to keep the heat setting low to avoid melting or worse-burning. But other than that, fleece is a workable material.

So does that mean you can also put HTV on fleece?

Venturing into something new can sometimes be a stressful and scary experience—especially the part of not knowing how can hold us back from pursuing our creative guts. In applying HTV on the fleece, the main point of worry lies in whether or not this polyester-made material can withstand the intense heat needed to adhere to the designs on the fabric.

The answer to this is…drum roll please… YES!                     

You can definitely put HTV on fleece. However, you need to be mindful of few minor precautions. One of which is to use fleece products that are low pile. Choosing garments with longer fiber strands will likely result in uneven press and make the design appear wrinkled. Plus, Heat Transfer Vinyl will unlikely attach to it if it has a longer pile of fibers. So, finding the right kind of fleece garment is a huge part of the success equation.

               Don’t worry. You will learn more tips as you plunge deeper into our comprehensive guide in using HTV on fleece.

 

What’s the best HTV for fleece?

We’ve made it clear that there are few bumps that we don’t want to encounter on our way. That is why we must learn the best type of HTV for this project. Although you can use almost any kind of HTV on fleece, it is best to avoid using thinner vinyl materials because it could lead to unpredictable results.

For a greater chance of achieving outstanding outcomes, we recommend using thicker and textured vinyl products such as Flock and Glitter HTV. Both the Flock HTV, which is fuzzy and textured, and Glitter HTV, also lightly textured, adheres easily to the fleece, plus the fact that they look perfect against the surface of the fleece makes the two your best option.

What temperatures can you put HTV on fleece?

One of the precautions that you need to be aware of is the application of heat. We don’t want high heat to melt or burn the fleece. Just like in any HTV pressing process, it is important to follow the recommended temperature settings. Preheating the fabric before pressing is also recommended to obtain the best result.

Flock HTV

A higher temperature setting is required for flock HTV to adhere successfully. Here’s the complete heat application setting for it.

• Temperature: 320°F/160°C
• Pressure: Medium
• Time: 15-20 seconds
• Peel: Cold or Hot Depending on your HTV Vinyl

Glitter HTV

           If you want to breathe another level of sparkle into your project, then using glitter HTV is the perfect material for you.

• Temperature: 320°F/160°C
• Pressure: Firm
• Time: 10-15 seconds
• Peel: Hot or Cold depending on your HTV Vinyl.

Here are other valuable tips that you also need to know before pressing your designs on fleece.

           One thing that few crafters often take for granted is the right peel timing. Removing the carrier sheet at the right time can be a deal-breaker here, especially for Flock and glitter HTVs. The best thing to do is always do it slowly rather than excitedly peeling it off.

Fleece’s susceptibility to heat can be bothersome. Any mishandling or misstep can result in melting or discoloration of the fabric. If you want to be certain, I suggest you perform a test press on an unnoticeable spot. In this way, you get to find out how the fleece will hold against the recommended heat setting.

How do you transfer HTV on fleece?

While heat press is the ideal tool for adhering Heat Transfer Vinyl on fleece, a home iron can also be a fitting candidate for the job.

Using home iron requires a careful way of pressing the design. Let these hacks help us work with the delicate fiber that fleece is.

Tips for HTV on Fleece with an Iron

• Only work on solid surfaces that can go against intense pressure. Add a layer of cloth such as towels to protect the surface from heating up.
• Preheat the fabric for about 15-20 seconds. 
• You’re lucky if your home iron already has a built-in heat setting for fleece, but if there’s none, the closest and safest alternative is polyester. Others have tried the cotton setting and said it worked just fine. 
• Once you’ve set the fleece, place your design on your desired spot. 
• If you’re hesitant that heat will destroy the fabric, you can add a thin cloth over the fleece.
• Press only on the portion of your HTV. Avoid staying on one spot for too long and refrain from sliding your iron over the design.
• If you’re using flock HTV, let it cool down for at least a minute before peeling off the carrier sheet. Removing it too soon imposed the risk of pulling up the design with it. 

 

If you have a heat press, here are the steps that will guide you on successfully pressing the HTV on fleece.

Tips for HTV on Fleece with a Heat Press

1. Preheat the fabric for about 15-20 seconds. 
2. Set the equipment based on the recommended heat guide.
3. Position your garment on the press. If you are working on a fleece jacket with metal or plastic zippers, unzip it and let it hang off the press. 
4. Add over a cover sheet like a Teflon sheet or parchment paper.
5. Press the HTV for 10-15 seconds for Glitter HTV under frim pressure while 15-20 seconds for Flock HTV under medium pressure. 
6. Once done, let the carrier sheet cool for a little while before slowly removing it. 
7. To make sure it fully adheres, you can press it again for at least 10 seconds. Just add a cover sheet over the design again before pressing. 

 

Applying HTV to any project is almost a universal process. However, there are still factors to consider depending on what medium you are using. So to avoid failure, you need not just rely on the recommended steps, but you need to focus and stay observant of the ongoing process. Once you think something seems wrong, stop immediately and review your procedure so, in this way, you can avoid a complete disaster.

But sometimes, no matter how careful you are, mistakes are bound to happen. Don’t worry! We’ve all been there! Good thing there are measures that you can still take to turn around a disaster. So here are some simple techniques to remove an unwanted HTV from most surfaces, including fleece.

 

How do you remove HTV from fleece?

There are several options that you can choose here: chemical-free and chemical-based methods. If you’re someone who likes to avoid using chemicals as much as possible, then you can check this one out. For this method, you will need a tweezer and a hot iron.

 

1. Re-heat the HTV with an iron. Set your iron to a temperature setting that’s suitable for fleece. You need to make sure that the heat is just right and can be tolerated by the fabric.
2. Put the garment right over the surface of the iron. Ensure that the backside of where the vinyl adheres is the side touching the hot surface. Tightly pull the fabric using one hand so the fabric will lay flat on the plate. 
3. Using the tweezer, gently pick away the HTV starting from the corner. Once you notice that the HTV is coming off easily, continue picking till the vinyl completely peels off. 

Now, if the vinyl is still not peeling off, you can try applying vinyl-removing solvents. Simply spray from both sides of the garment where the HTV is pressed. Let it settle for at least a minute or two, then continue removing the remaining HTV from the fabric. After successfully removing the HTV design on the material, wash the garment inside out, let it dry and wait for at least a day before pressing your design again.

If you’re concerned about the risk of fleece being burned, you can try applying vinyl-removing agents that do not need preheating to fix the problem. All you need to do is apply few drops on the backside of the HTV, let it settle for few minutes then pull off the HTV from the garment. You can check online stores for a comprehensive list of products to help you reverse an unfortunate mishap.

Can you use HTV on a fleece blanket?

Of course! We’ve already emphasized the limitless opportunity to craft great things with Heat Transfer Vinyl, and a fleece blanket is no exception. The same procedures above apply to fleece blankets, so you don’t need to worry about learning more stuff. With winter fast approaching, there’s no better way to express our love and care than comfy and heartwarming personalized fleece blankets.

So go! Have fun; seize this fantastic way to create memorable and personalized gifts. Let the world marvel with your artistic prowess.