Do You Mirror Iron On Vinyl? (2024)

Posted By TeckWrap Craft On April 18, 2022

Whether you call it iron-on or heat transfer vinyl, you may ask: Do you mirror iron-on vinyl? Yes, you should mirror the design when using heat transfer vinyl. Regardless of the pattern, or type of the heat transfer vinyl, you should always mirror the design.

In the Silhouette or Cricut Design Space, click the design and change the settings to mirror or flip. Why do you have to do this? Read further. In this guide, you’ll learn the step-by-step instructions on how to mirror iron-on vinyl and how to print it on the garment.

What Is Iron On Vinyl?

Iron-on vinyl also known as a heat transfer vinyl (HTV) has a heat-activated adhesive that is used to print on garments or fabrics. HTV is different from adhesive craft vinyl used for crafts like tumblers, mugs, or notebooks. In this guide, we’ll focus on heat transfer vinyl.

Which Side Do You Cut On Iron On Vinyl?

Hold on! Why should you mirror your design when using heat transfer vinyl? You should get familiar with the parts of the heat transfer vinyl.

As seen in the photo above, the shiny side is the carrier sheet. The shiny side faces the cutting mat or faces down on the cutting machine. The cover sheet covers the top of the vinyl. Meanwhile, the dull side is the actual vinyl heat transferred to a garment. The dull side is the heat-sensitive adhesive portion.

Projects To Make With AHeat Transfer Vinyl

Does that make sense? That’s why it’s a must to mirror your design. In case you cut your design without mirroring it, there’s no way around it. You have cut a new design again. So what are the projects you can make with an iron-on vinyl?

• Plain T-shirts
• Tie-dye T-shirt
• Hoodies
• Pins
• Sweatshirts
• Canvas blanks (tote bag, pouch, apron, pillowcases)
• Read this post on Best Fabric for Heat Transfer Vinyl: Garment Printing 101

Once again, iron-on vinyl or HTV is different from adhesive vinyl. HTV is printed on garments or fabrics using a household iron or heat press machine. While adhesive craft vinyl is placed directly on crafts like mugs, tumblers, or wine glasses.

Step By Step Guide On How To Print Heat Transfer Vinyl On AGarment

Now that you’re familiar with the project ideas you can make with a heat transfer vinyl and why you should mirror the design, it’s time to learn the step-by-step instructions on how to print iron-on vinyl on a garment or fabric. Gather the supplies needed and follow these steps:

Supplies Needed

• Cutting machine (Silhouette or Cricut Machine)
• Cutting mat
• Transfer tape (for multi-layered designs)
• Heat-activated vinyl or iron-on vinyl
• Garment of your choice
• Weeding tool
• Ruler or measuring tape
• Heat press machine, EasyPress machine or regular household iron

Step 1: Prepare The Cut File

The first step is to prepare your design or cut file. You can purchase SVG files online or use the available designs on the Cricut Image Library. Make sure the measurement of the design fits well on the garment where you intend to print it.

Step 2: Scale The Design

Step 3: Mirror The Design

After you’ve scaled the design to its right measurement, it’s time to mirror or flip the design. Depending on the cutting machine you’re using, here’s how to mirror a design:

• For Silhouette users: Click the design, or highlight all the designs, click ‘Object’ on the upper portion, and click the option ‘Mirror’, then choose ‘Flip Horizontally’.
• For Cricut Machine users: Selec the design, click ‘Flip’, then choose ‘Flip Horizontally’.

Step 4: Place Heat Transfer On The Cutting Mat

The next step is to place the iron-on vinyl on a cutting mat. Which side goes where as mentioned above, the clear plastic liner sheet or the shiny side must face the cutting mat. The dull side should be the one that will come in contact with the cutting machine’s blade.

Cutting mats have a standard size of 12x12”. So if you need a bigger design for the t-shirt you can cut it into portions. If you have smaller designs, even though it has different colors of vinyl, you can cut them at the same time, just like in the photo seen below.

Step 5: Adjust The Cut Settings

Once you’ve chosen the type of vinyl you’ll use, the force, speed, and cutting settings will automatically change. This is the default recommended settings for that particular type of iron-on vinyl.

Step 6: Test Cut And Get Ready To Cut Iron On Vinyl!

Step 7: Weed Out Excess Vinyl

The next step is to weed out the excess vinyl. Basically, what this means is to remove the excess vinyl of the heat transfer material you don’t want to be transferred to your fabric. Only the design itself should be left sticking to the clear plastic backing.

The next step is to weed out the excess vinyl. Basically, what this means is to remove the excess vinyl of the heat transfer material you don’t want to be transferred to your fabric. Only the design itself should be left sticking to the clear plastic backing.

Step 8: Iron Or Heat Transfer The Vinyl To The Garment

TeckWrap Craft Heat Transfer Vinyl Heat And Time Guide

Do you remove the carrier sheet right away? This depends on the iron-on vinyl that you have. That’s why it’s important to read the product description of the vinyl before buying one. Confirm if the vinyl is cold peel, warm peel, or hot peel. This will be discussed further in the latter part of the article.

Washing Instructions

Now that your masterpiece has come to life, it’s best to know the washing instructions as well to ensure the vinyl decal lasts longer on the garment. As a general rule, avoid wearing, washing, or folding the garment 24 hours after printing the iron-on vinyl. In short, let the print sit for a while.

Let the adhesive cure for 24 hours to ensure the vinyl has adhered properly to the garment. After 24 hours, you can wash or wear it! For the care instructions on garments with iron-on vinyl print, here’s what you should know:

• Wash the shirt inside out
• Use cold water
• Avoid harsh detergents
• You can use fabric softener
• Hang to dry or tumble dry on low heat (avoid high heat when spinning dry)
• Do not iron directly on the print as this may activate the vinyl’s adhesive and may cause the vinyl to peel off

Cold Peel vs Warm Peel vs Hot Peel Heat Transfer Vinyl

As promised earlier, we’ll discuss further cold peel, warm peel, and hot peel. As you may know, there are different brands of vinyl, textures, and patterns. All of which differ in their peeling temperature. Here’s what they meant:

• Cool peel: Remove the carrier sheet after pressing when the whole decal has completely cooled off. It may take 1 minute or longer.
• Warm peel: Remove the carrier sheet after pressing when the whole decal is warm to the touch. This may take 30 seconds.
• Hot peel: Remove the carrier sheet after pressing when the whole decal is still hot. This means you can remove the carrier sheet right after pressing the design.

Tips When Printing Heat Transfer Vinyl

Where To Get Cut files?

As a crafter, one of the challenges is how to create and where to get cut files or your design. If you have graphic designing skills, this wouldn’t be a challenge. If that’s not the case, then you should know where to get cut files. Here are some ways to get cut files:

• Free vectors from the Cricut Design Space
• Free cut files that can be downloaded online
• Purchase designs from reliable sources

How To Avoid Wasting Vinyl?

One problem most vinyl crafters encounter is wasted vinyl. Don’t be one of those crafters who waste and throw all the excess vinyl, so here are some tips to remember:

• Cut iron-on vinyl, using the right amount that fits your design. Leave at least half an inch on each border.
• When weeding excess vinyl, don’t get rid of the designs you think you can use in the future. For instance, a small heart figure can be kept in a scrap collector so you can use it for future projects.
• To avoid wasting vinyl, you need to have a keen eye on where the cut lines are. It helps if you have a tabletop with light, use your tablet as a background (for the sake of having a light source), or use a desk lamp.
• You can bend the decal so you can see clearly where the cut lines are.
• Always use a weeding tool or tweezer when removing excess vinyl.
• When weeding excess vinyl, start by removing the outer part of the design. Move to remove the smaller and more intricate designs later on.
• Always test cut! It will be a waste if you can’t weed the vinyl properly later on.
• Always mirror the design especially if you used heat transfer vinyl. If you’re done cutting the design without mirroring the image, that work will go to waste.

How To Iron Heat Transfer Vinyl On The Shirt

• You can use a heat press machine, EasyPress, or your everyday iron. However, when you’re using a household iron, make sure to turn off the steam settings.
• Position the design properly on the garment. The iron-on vinyl shiny side should be facing upward and the design should not look mirrored.
• Make sure to position the design properly on the shirt. Check if it’s in the right position where you want it to be. Or if you want it in the center, measure all corners to ensure it has the right placement.
• Press the vinyl on a flat surface, preferably a wide sturdy table. Avoid using an ironing board as it may not withstand even gentle pressure.
• You can use additional protection on top of your carrier sheets like a parchment paper or Teflon sheet when pressing the design.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bottom Line

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