HTV, or heat-transfer vinyl, is a material you have to cut (usually with a cutting machine) before pressing it onto a textile. This printing method is more commonly called textile flocking!
The problem lies in the high cost of flocking cutting machines, which ranges from 250 to 500 euros for entry-level models. Unless you intend to make flocking your profession, it can sometimes be hard to commit to that kind of expense for this hobby.
So we're going to look at how to cut and press HTV onto your clothes without a cutting machine! ➡️
How to cut HTV without a machine - The methods:
1 - Scissors ✂️
The first method to cut HTV without a machine is to use scissors. To do this, grab some heat-transfer vinyl and a ballpoint pen, and draw the shape you want to press onto the textile with your pen on the laminated side of the vinyl.
Important: heat-transfer vinyl has two sides, a clear plastic side and a colored side. Figure out and check which is the right side by trying to peel the vinyl off at the edges.
Once you've drawn your design with the pen, take your scissors and cut out the shape you traced.
When the design is cut out, all you have to do is grab your iron and press your design onto the textile of your choice.
This method seems simple, but it's actually tricky, because scissors aren't made for cutting detailed designs. So you'll only be able to make simple designs (such as geometric shapes, unless you're a pro at cutting with scissors 😎).
2 - The scalpel
The second method involves using a scalpel. With this approach, you need to flip the sheet of heat-transfer vinyl so that the colored side faces you. That way, the clear laminated side will be at the back.
🚨Important: when using the scalpel, only the colored part of the vinyl should be cut, the clear laminated part at the back serves as a carrier for application.
Once the design has been cut into the vinyl, you'll need to remove the excess vinyl surrounding your design, this step is called weeding. When you're done, you can press the flocking straight onto the textile.
The scalpel can be a good method to start with, however you'll spend a lot of time cutting out the designs. This little tool offers greater dexterity than scissors and therefore lets you create more complex designs. A former friend of mine used to cut her HTV with a scalpel all the time and she managed to create names in calligraphy flawlessly. ✅
3 - The Craft Cutter (don't confuse it with a utility knife, it's not the same thing)
The Craft Cutter is a game-changing tool for cutting your heat-transfer vinyl.
Its 360-degree rotating blade and precise cutting will let you cut your vinyl into complex designs.
This tool takes a bit of practice to master, but once you've nailed your first design, you're set to make hundreds of them!
Just like with the scalpel, you'll cut only the colored part of the vinyl and the clear laminated part will serve as a carrier for application.
Once it's cut, all you have to do is remove the excess vinyl and press your design.
I'll let you admire this video showing how easy the Craft Cutter is to handle. 🤩
How much does it cost to do flocking without a machine?
Now that you've seen how to cut HTV without a cutting machine, we're going to estimate the cost of making a flocking project, by looking at all the potential expenses to take into account
1 - Heat-transfer vinyl
Heat-transfer vinyls are affordable, however, they're consumables. So you'll have to reorder once you've used up your stock.
A standard roll of HTV (best value for money) costs 7.9 euros for a size of 30 centimeters by 2 meters. With one roll, you'll be able to make at least eight large logos and about fifty small logos.
Let's assume that to start, we'll get two rolls. The price will be roughly 20 euros with shipping. 🚚
2 - Cutting tools or cutting machine
Option 1:
If you opt for a cutting machine, it'll set you back about 300 euros. To find a good-quality machine, we recommend choosing between Cricut machines (easy to use) and Silhouette Cameo machines (great creative freedom)
La fourmi créative is an excellent cutting-machine supplier.
At Paper Transfer, we are an approved reseller of the Silhouette Cameo 5, a high-quality cutting machine with great precision.
If we go with a cutting machine, we'll be at a total of about 320 euros spent for now.
Option 2:
Since today's topic is about cutting HTV without a machine, we're also going to try to estimate the total costs if you want to start flocking without a machine.
Scissors, the craft cutter, or the precision scalpel each cost about fifteen euros.
So the amount spent would be 35 euros for now.
3 - The heat press or the iron
If you're aiming for a professional approach, using a heat press is recommended. However, when you're just starting out, this machine isn't necessary, because an iron can give nearly identical results.👍
So we're not going to count the cost of the press in the expenses.
Note: entry-level heat presses cost about 150 to 200 euros and the price can climb up to 5000 euros and more for professional presses.
The price of an iron is roughly 25 euros.
So the total expenses would be:
💰 Option 1: HTV + cutting machine + iron 340 euros
💰 Option 2: to cut HTV without a machine: 55 euros
Tips for getting started with flocking 🤓:
To learn textile flocking without breaking the bank, we recommend not buying a heat press at first. Start by getting the hang of the customization process using only an iron.
On the other hand, when it comes to cutting the flocking, we strongly recommend buying a cutting machine right from the start if you can afford it. (because cutting HTV is much more tedious without a machine)
That way you'll be able to see whether textile flocking is just a passing whim or whether you're genuinely passionate and want to invest your time in it. At that point, you can think about buying a real cutting machine + a heat press. 😊
So I hope this blog has helped you and, above all, taught you how to cut HTV without a cutting machine!
If you'd like to get into textile customization, discover our collection of professional-grade heat-transfer vinyl. The vinyls will let you create durable and stylish designs on your clothes. 🥳
