How to Create Custom Halloween Towels Using Cricut and a Heat Press

How To Use HTV With a Heat Press (Halloween Towels) (Cricut)

Hey guys,

It's Jen from I Create Crafts, ready with another fun and quick project that would look great on your stove, as a gift or to sell at a craft fair. In this video I will show you the quick way of applying HTV (heat transfer vinyl) to a simple dishtowel. The dishtowels that are used in this project were purchased from Target and are great for this sort of craft. Below are the SVG files I used, along with all the supplies you will need to create these cute Halloween Dish Towels. You can watch the full video here.

Let's get started!

Supplies

Contain my affiliates (helps me create these how-to videos)

Source Your Designs and Customize

I bought these SVG files from designbundles.net.

Figure out what size suits you and customize the size (for each design) by first clicking on the 'Unlock' button and then entering the dimensions you need. 4 by 4 works well for me.

'Attach' All Parts of Each Design

It is extremely important to 'attach' all parts of a design. Otherwise, everything will cut out separately and you will go crazy trying to put everything together. Select a design and click on the 'Attach' button on the bottom right of the screen. Do this for each design.

Then hit the 'Make It' button on the top right corner.

Align the Designs on the Mat and Mirror Them

Move the designs around a little so that you have some space between them. This will make it easier for you to cut them out.

Next click on the 'Mirror' button. This is especially important since we will be using the heat transfer method.

Then click on the 'Continue' button on the bottom right of the screen.

Select the Material Settings and Print the Designs

This is what my screen shows after I click on the 'Continue' button. I use the Cricut Maker; so your screen will be the same if you use it too. In any case, select the settings according to what you are using.

I chose 'Heat Transfer (non-Cricut)'. This is because I am not particularly sticky about Cricut HTV (heat transfer vinyl). I buy whichever HTV brand is on sale. So, this time around, I am using non-Cricut HTV.

Weed Out the Designs

Weed out the designs carefully, using the weeding tool.

I highly recommend investing in this Light Pad Drawing A4 Tracing Light Table. It is optional, but it makes weeding a lot easier and crafting a lot more fun!

Preheat the Heat Press and Heat Up the Towels

Preheat the heat press at 384 degrees for about 20 seconds.

Next place one towel on the heat press and press it down for some time. This will take away any unnecessary wrinkles and also get the vinyl to stick better.

Tip: Match the ends of the towels well, to maintain perfect symmetry.

You Can Use an Iron As Well.

You can always use an iron, but you need to be extremely careful about the heat settings and pressure required. I started out using the regular iron, but found it challenging. So, I shifted to the Cricut Easy Press, which wasn't effective either (though many people are fine with it). I sold it for a profit (had initially bought it on a deal), put in some more from my craft sales and bought myself this heat press. Totally in love with it!

It is a 15 by 15 size. You can buy a smaller heat press too. As for me, I knew I would be doing t-shirts too, so I would need a 15 by 15 size.