So, you may know that heat transfer vinyl (HTV) is one of the most versatile decoration methods around. You may also know that HTV comes in all sorts of styles and finishes, ranging from sparkly (like Glitter) to shiny (like Holographic) to fuzzy (like StripFlock® Pro).
But perhaps the biggest strength of HTV is combining different materials for jaw-dropping effects that simply can’t be done by any other decoration method. I’m not talking about layering 2 or even 3 different materials— I’m talking about using FOUR different HTVs to create what we like to call the Car Show Effect!
Sound riveting? Just wait 'til you see it for yourself! Read along to learn how to recreate this unique look using the power of Siser® HTV!
What is the Car Show Effect?
The Car Show Effect is a shiny, 3-dimensional, multi-layered look! This effect utilizes 4 different HTVs to give a design texture, sheen, and depth all in one.
So, what are the 4 HTVs? Let’s break it down:
HTV 1: StripFlock Pro
Thick and layerable, StripFlock Pro makes the perfect base for this effect. At 410 microns, StripFlock Pro instantly raises the design off the shirt for that dimensional look. Plus, just about any other material can be layered on top, so it works great for multi-material designs!
HTV 2: Easy® Puff Metallic
To add even MORE dimension, Easy Puff Metallic is the perfect choice! It expands after heat application, making designs appear as if they’re “popping” off the garment. But why Metallic and not regular Easy Puff? That’s because Easy Puff Metallic doesn’t puff up until the second press, which is crucial for this effect. More on that later.
HTV 3: EasyWeed® Electric
Because Easy Puff Metallic is currently only available in a limited palette of colors, EasyWeed Electric is the ideal way to get that metallic shine in a wider spectrum of hues! EasyWeed Electric is thin enough to layer right on top of Easy Puff Metallic without flattening it.
HTV 4: Holographic
With its smooth, mirror-like finish, Holographic HTV is a top choice for creating eye-catching accents. Changing color depending on how the light hits it, Holographic gives the Car Show Effect that extra “pizzaz” to guarantee that your garment won’t go unseen!
Okay, now you know what the Car Show effect IS, but how is it actually made? Don’t worry, I won’t leave you hanging! Let’s start with transforming your cut file into a 4-layer design.
NOTE: The process below can be done in any design software that can create offsets and insets. For this tutorial, we’ll be using the powerful Leonardo® Design Studio!
Making the SVG
Step 1
First, you’ll need to open your SVG design in Leonardo Design Studio as “Editable Artwork”. Once it’s on your artboard, simply click and drag while holding down the “Alt” Key (PC) or “Option” Key (Mac) to duplicate your design.
Step 2
Now that you have a copy of your design, you’ll need to offset it to be slightly larger than the original. Select the copy, then click the Build Contours Tool.
Step 3
In the window that pops up, select “Editable Contour (Cut Only)”. You’ll want to increase the Offset Amount just a bit to get an offset that’s slightly larger than the original. For this SVG, I used an offset of 0.070 in, but yours may vary depending on the size of the design.
TIP: You can also choose your Corner Style to have sharp or rounded corners.
TIP: Change the Contour Color so you can easily see the offset.
Step 4
Click “Apply”. You should now see the offset outlined around the copied design!
Step 5
Click and drag the duplicated design while holding down the “Alt” key (PC) or “Option” key (Mac) to create another copy. Repeat one more time so that you now have 3 copies of your design with the offset.
TIP: You can also select your shape, then click EDIT > Copy and EDIT > Paste to create a duplicate of your design right on top of the original.
Step 6
Select the “inset” of the second and third design and delete them, leaving behind just the offset.
Step 7
Select the fourth design (with the inset and offset both still attached). Hover over the Weld Tool and select “Remove Front”. This will “knock out” the inset, creating a true outline.
Step 8
Rearrange the layers in the order they will be applied for simplicity. The order should be:
- Offset (StripFlock Pro)
- Inset (Easy Puff Metallic)
- Offset (EasyWeed Electric)
- Outline (Holographic)
Congratulations! You’ve just gave your design the Car Show Effect treatment! Go ahead and cut out your layers with the appropriate materials so we can get ready for the fun part… application!
Application
With all 4 of your layers cut and weeded, it’s time to make the Car Show Effect a reality! The order of application is crucial here, so let’s break it down step by step.
Step 1
Set your heat press to 310°F (155°C). Since each of our materials has a different recommended temperature, we’ll use this as a good middle ground.
Step 2
Place your garment on the lower heat press platen, making sure any collars or thick seams are hanging off the edge to prevent uneven pressure. Pre-press the garment for a few seconds to remove any wrinkles or moisture.
Step 3
Align the first layer (StripFlock Pro) onto the garment as desired and cover with a cover sheet, like parchment paper.
For this project, we’re only going to press for 5–7 seconds as we have multiple layers to apply. After pressing, wait a few seconds before peeling the carrier warm.
Step 4
Take the Easy Puff Metallic layer and arrange it on top of the StripFlock Pro. Try and get it centered on the base layer as much as possible. Cover with a cover sheet again and press for another 5–7 seconds.
Go ahead and peel the carrier hot afterwards!
Because Easy Puff Metallic requires 2 presses to “puff up”, we can continue layering HTV without worrying about flattening it.
Step 5
Place the EasyWeed Electric directly on top, completely covering the Easy Puff Metallic. You may see some edges of the StripFlock Pro sticking out, but that’s okay! We’ll cover it up in the next step.
Use a cover sheet and press for another 5-7 seconds, then peel the carrier hot.
Step 6
It’s time for the final layer! Arrange the Holographic outline so that it “hugs” the previous layers. It should slightly overlap the layers underneath, covering any stray StripFlock Pro that may be showing.
Cover with a cover sheet once again and press for a full 15 seconds. This time, gently remove the garment from the heat press and allow it to COOL COMPLETELY before peeling the carrier!
Voilà! You’ve just recreated Kortez’s famous Car Show Effect! For the best results, we recommend washing the garment with cold water and tumble-drying on low. (Or better yet, hang it to dry!)
TIP: Notice some slight peeling after a wash? Don’t panic! Simply re-press the design (with some parchment paper on top) for a few seconds to adhere it back down.
And the award for coolest design goes to… YOU!
That wasn’t so hard, was it? The Car Show Effect is a prime example of how HTV can be used to achieve mind-boggling effects that simply aren’t possible with DTF, screen printing, or other decoration methods. If you want to see the Car Show Effect application process in action, check out our Siser After Dark class on YouTube below!
So, what do you think of the Car Show Effect? Are you ready to mix and match HTVs to have your designs stand out amongst the crowd? Does this give you other ideas for experimenting with various materials? Let me know in the comments!