Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV) is a type of polymer used to create designs on fabrics and shoes. Vinyl is versatile as it comes in different colors and weights. This makes it ideal for commercial fabric decoration.
Recently, vinyl has become a popular craft material for making DIY t-shirts and decorating projects. Vinyl is applied to fabric using a sheet or roll with an adhesive backing. The backing is cut, fed, and placed on the cloth using a heat application. The majority of vinyl is single-colored, but there are options for glitter, patterned, reflective, 3D, and glow-in-the-dark cuts.
As vinyl printing has become a popular method for creating custom shirts and apparel, it is frustrating to see the design peel off after just one wash. This can leave you with an unwearable shirt and a wasted investment. But why does this happen, and what can be done to prevent it? In this blog post, we’ll dive into the reasons behind vinyl peeling and provide you with tips and tricks to ensure your vinyl prints stay looking great wash after wash
If you have just started using vinyl for your t-shirt DIY projects, it’s vital to learn about several of its characteristics. These include the right way to apply it, the fabric on which to use it, and the correct temperature.
If the vinyl is peeling off your shirt after washing, it’s likely because you missed something in the application process.
Here are some reasons why your vinyl is peeling off the shirt and how to fix it.
1. Wrong Application Method
Every vinyl has its standard application method. If your vinyl peels off after washing, you might have gotten the application method wrong. The application method refers to the time, temperature, and pressure to get the vinyl to stick on a shirt correctly. The vinyl will come off if you get any of these factors wrong.
When considering time, ensure you give the heat press or the iron enough time. Remember, the vinyl’s adhesive is heat activated. If you don’t give it enough time, parts of the vinyl will be loose, and the rest will peel off after washing. Even though enough heat is necessary for this process to work, too much heat, on the other hand, will burn the adhesive and give the same results.
The application temperature is another essential factor when making vinyl designs. Getting the correct temperature can be difficult if you’re using an iron. For best results, try using a heat press because it allows you to accurately adjust the time and temperature.
The final application method factor to consider if your vinyl is peeling after washing is the pressure. Pressure problems arise if you use an iron instead of a heat press. It’s hard to apply the right amount of pressure with an iron evenly. Your arm will tire before pressing the vinyl correctly if the design is large. If you must use an iron, ensure you see the fabric’s weave through the vinyl after pressing.
Also, avoid using a cardboard, iron board, or any hard surface preventing you from applying enough pressure on the vinyl.
2. Wrong Type of Fabric
Another reason vinyl peels after washing a shirt is using the wrong vinyl for a specific fabric. Remember, vinyl uses a heat-activated adhesive. The fabric composition is critical to ensuring the adhesive sticks well.
For home DIY projects, check the t-shirt tag to learn what fabric the shirt is made of. Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV) works best on 100% cotton shirts. They are firm and absorb heat evenly, allowing the adhesive to stick correctly. For delicate fabrics like polyester, nylon, and silk, it’s best to use regular heat-transfer vinyl. Delicate materials require lower temperatures and pressure when applying the vinyl. If your shirt is made of polyester, the vinyl may be peeling because the temperature was too high and burned the vinyl adhesive.
For denim shirts, use HTV on smooth and flat surfaces. If the shirt’s fabric is uneven, the adhesive will be loose, leading to peeling after washing.
3. Uneven Fabric Surface
Another common culprit of vinyl peeling after washing is uneven fabric. Collars, thick hems, and zippers prevent pressure from distributing evenly, especially whe using an iron. If you’re working with textured fabric, invest in a heat press, as it’s easy to set accurate time and pressure to ensure the vinyl sticks. If a heat press isn’t a viable alternative, try using a heat press pillow.
If you’re unfamiliar with a heat press pillow, it’s a pillow you place between the two sides of the shirt when creating a vinyl design. They are made of foam which is malleable. This allows it to absorb uneven surfaces like buttons, zippers, and thick hems into the mold so your pressure can let the vinyl lay flat.
Heat press pillows are affordable and available in various stores and are an excellent tool to ensure your vinyl designs are perfect. If you can access a heat press pillow but still wish to use an iron for the vinyl design, use a lower surface and avoid cardboard or iron boards. If you’re dealing with removable items like buttons, you can try removing them and then sewing them on after applying the design.
4. Vinyl Layering Inconsistencies
Like failing to pair vinyl with a suitable fabric, layering inconsistencies can cause peeling after washing. An excellent example is applying HTV on specialty vinyl. If you’re working with glitter, reflective, 3D, or other special vinyl, u
applying another layer will cause it to peel.
Specialty vinyl is meant for display. They are smooth and don’t hold the HTV adhesive well. For best results, use the HTV and specialty vinyl for different designs. For example, you can place glitter vinyl as a pattern on the main decal, so the designs aren’t overlapping.
Remember to adhere to the fabric choice even when working with vinyl layers. As noted, delicate fabrics like nylon and polyester don’t absorb heat well. Using these types of fabric to layer different vinyl designs will lead to peeling after washing.
The best thing is to find the correct vinyl type for a specific fabric type and to use a heat press to set the right application time and pressure.
5. Peeling The Carrier Hot or Cold
Peeling the vinyl hot or cold is another crucial step in the correct design application. Some vinyl types require pulling the carrier immediately after ironing or pressing, while others need a few minutes to cool off. Using the incorrect method may lead to premature vinyl peeling, especially after a wash.
If you try peeling a carrier immediately after pressing while it’s meant to cool off, it will curl and wrinkle, then stick to the sheet. If this happens, place the carrier sheet on a flat surface and wait for it to cool. After, start peeling the carrier from the opposite direction to avoid ruining the design.
Usually, the vinyl manufacturer will include hot or cold peeling instructions on the packaging. These instructions will also cover temperature, time, and recommended pressure. If the packaging doesn’t have hot or cold peeling instructions, try doing a test before creating the main design.
To test, cut two pieces of scrap material and two pieces of vinyl. Press the HTV on both fabric pieces. Peel one carrier cold and the other hot and see which works well.
6. Your Press Is Not Working Properly
Like other machines, the heat press can sometimes be faulty. This mostly happens when the press’s elements won’t heat to the right temperature. Consequently, the heat applied to the adhesive isn’t accurate, leading to peeling after a wash. In other instances, the press overheats and burns off the sticky adhesive.
If the fault is minor, try powering off and unplugging the machine for a few minutes. After a few minutes, turn it on, then press a sample vinyl to see if it’s working. If the fault is significant, like having hot and cold spots on the platen, it’s best to have a technician repair it. Overall, investing in a temperature gun is essential to ensure you set the press at the right temperature.
7. Waterproof Coating
Durable water-repellent coating is another reason vinyl may peel off your shirt after a wash. This coating is typically found on raincoats but works for materials like cotton, canvas, and leather. While this coat is helpful in water absorption prevention, it also prevents vinyl glue from sticking to the shirt’s fibers.
If you suspect your shirt has a waterproof coating try rubbing alcohol on the area, you want to apply the vinyl design. The alcohol will loosen the shirt’s fibers and allow the adhesive to sip through. You should clean the area a few times to remove all the coating. Remember to use a cotton ball while cleaning the area.
Please note that alcohol may not work for all fabric types. If the waterproof coating is on a leather or denim shirt, it may not come off completely. This means that your vinyl will still not be secure and will start to peel after a few washes.
8. Pre-washing With Fabric Softener
Pre-washing a shirt with fabric softener before applying vinyl can cause it to peel off. Fabric softener sticks to the fibers of the shirt. This prevents the adhesive from sticking evenly. Additionally, fabric softener particles can redistribute heat on the shirt, interfering with the heat application process.
In most cases, people pre-wash shirts to prevent them from shrinking during the vinyl application. This is unnecessary. If the shirt doesn’t have visible folds or crease lines, then shrinking won’t interfere with the vinyl application. Avoid adding fabric softener if you have to pre-wash your shirt before your project. Also, ensure they are completely dry. Another alternative is to work with preshrunk shirts.
Conclusion
Many people see vinyl peeling from their shirts after washing. However, you may extend the life of your vinyl prints by knowing why this happens and taking the required precautions, like using a proper vinyl printer/heat press, the correct type of fiber/vinyl, and following the proper application method.
By following these rules, you can ensure that your bespoke shirts will continue to look beautiful and will last for a long time.
So, the next time you make a custom vinyl shirt, keep these suggestions in mind and take the necessary precautions to ensure it lasts for years.
