Put a fresh spin on your designs with multiple colors and finishes! Siser® HTV provides all kinds of options for you to layer, however not ALL heat transfer vinyl can be layered. So which materials are layer-friendly? Here's a list:
There are also some HTVs that can be used as a top layer, but not as a bottom (base) layer. Those materials are:
If you ever want to double check if your HTV can be layered, simply go to our website www.siserstore.com, select the "Materials" drop down menu, and choose which HTV you're working with. Once you're on the product page, look for the "layerable" icon which appears as 3 sheets of material stacking on top of each other.
The following tips are helpful whether you mix multiple colors of the same product or multiple colors of multiple products. As long as all products have the layerable icon then you can mix and match them!
1. Close Cut Carriers
When trimming your cut design away from the sheet or roll of HTV it's important to cut closely for a few reasons:
A) Saves as much material possible
B) Allows you to heat apply multiple transfers at one time
Cut back on production time by cutting your carriers closely. Overlapping HTV and carriers will adhere to each other instead of the garment, but if they're trimmed then you can avoid overlapping and apply multiple colors at one time.
C) Reduces the risk of a carrier impression mark on the first layer of HTV
If you're getting carrier marks consistently, check out tip #3. If they're still an issue, lower your pressure.
Carrier marks are hard to photograph but appear more clearly in person.
2. Short Presses
You know how in baking something can be underdone, just right, or baked to the point of burning? Well, applying HTV is kind of like baking. You don't want to over or under do it since peeling can be caused by both a too short press and too long.
A) Prevents Over-Baking HTV
When pressing multiple layers, it's important to remember that the first layer will receive the additional heat of each press afterwards. Say you pressed a 4-color design for the recommended 15 seconds for each layer. The first layer would end up with a total pressing time of ONE MINUTE. That is one burnt cookie.
B) Prevents Shrinking HTV
Over baking HTV leads to shrinking HTV! Short presses reduce the amount of shrinking from HTV and your garment. This is especially important for maintaining proper registration and alignment of your designs.
How about another example? This time showing the right way to press HTV! If you're working with an EasyWeed product, you have the benefit of the 1 second tack.
| Multi-Layer EasyWeed | Multi-Layer Glitter |
| 1. Tan EasyWeed: 1 second tack, hot peel | 1. Gold Glitter: 1-5 second press, warm peel |
| 2. Retro Mint EasyWeed: 1 second tack, hot peel | 2. Mint Glitter: 1-5 second press, warm peel |
| 3. Lilac EasyWeed: 1 second tack, hot peel | 3. Lavender Glitter: 1-5 second press, warm peel |
| 4. Passion Pink EasyWeed: 1 second tack, hot peel | 4. Hot Pink Glitter: 1-5 second press, warm peel |
| 5. Press everything for 10 seconds | 5. Press everything for 10 seconds |
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All presses should be done with a cover sheet of some kind. Check out tip #3 for the reason why!
3. Use A Heat Transfer Cover Sheet
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Siser offers non-stick, reusable cover sheets, but if you don't have one of those you can use parchment paper, multipurpose paper, or a pressing cloth like a clean piece of 100% cotton. The benefits of a cover sheet are... A) Protects Upper Platen B) Protects Garment C) Protects HTV Previously applied heat transfer vinyl without a carrier sheet (like the first layer of a multi-color design) can melt or leave adhesive residue on the pressing platen. The residue on the platen may not be noticeable, but the next press without a cover sheet could adhere a random piece of gunk to the garment. A cover sheet keeps everything clean. Cover sheets also offer a layer of heat protection to prevent heat sensitive items from scorching. |
 *Pro Tip: Use magnets to anchor a heat transfer cover sheet to the top platen. |
D) Alleviates Carrier Marks
Remember those pesky carrier marks we talked about in tip #1? Well, they're easily dealt with if you use this trick. Press the HTV with the carrier for 1-5 seconds, peel the carrier according to the product, then place a cover sheet on top and press for the remaining time. Peeling the carrier early prevents it from embedding in the bottom layer, and pressing with the cover sheet evens out any marks.
4. Glitter is ONLY A Top Layer
Glitter is the star of the show, so it's never on the bottom! It might also have something to do with durability...Ok fine, it's all about durability. The textured surface of Glitter does not provide an even application area for HTV. When HTV is applied on top of the textured Glitter surface the adhesive cannot grab on as easily as it does to fabric, so in the end the HTV is likely to lift after laundering. If you want to use multiple kinds of HTV, ensure your design leaves Glitter only on top (This rule also applies to Holographic).
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Neon Pink Glitter layered on top of white EasyWeed heat transfer vinyl |
If you're determined to layer, then I'd suggest checking out our Sparkle HTV. Sparkle has all of the shine, but none of the texture of Glitter HTV, meaning Sparkle can be layered! |
Confetti Glitter layered on top of black EasyWeed heat transfer vinyl |
5. The Trick to Layering the Less Bulky Way
But what if you want a look that's multicolored and all Glitter? You can do it! Just be mindful of your artwork and check out this Blog Post: How to do the knockout effect in Leonardo®. This method eliminates bulky layers, allowing the garment to move naturally with the body. So, it's not just a good trick for Glitter, but for all HTV layering!
Bonus Tip!
So now that you know the tips and tricks for layering heat transfer vinyl, you might be wondering: How Many EasyWeed Colors Can I Layer? The best HTV projects start with a great design, and this post will help you start designing smarter!
Bookmark this post for later!
Are you a visual learner? Well, you're in luck, you can now watch these tips in the video below...