How to Make a Custom T-Shirt Using HTV and Laser: DIY Tutorial

[@MakerExperiment]

● SUPPLIES USED T-shirts: amzn.to/3MtiIz8 Heat Press Nation for Heat Press and HTV rb.gy/uy17k Specific Heat Press Link: rb.gy/e5z03 Siser HTV: rb.gy/8ir74 Enduramark Mat (SAVE 10% Code: MakerMAT10) enduramark.com/collections/engravable-plastics/products/enduramark-sticky-mat

[@plclrk3]

The best thing to do is a bit of both. Engrave the intricate pieces and use cut lines to weed the easy large parts. You mentioned cutting a box on the dragon design, you could have done the engrave you did, add and cut the box and a quick weed of the excess around the sides. I use my laser to etch small graphics for samples on hats and small chest pocket prints, its great for samples and one offs but not something to use in high production. Great video.

[@MakerExperiment]

That’s a very good point. I’ll have to try that next time.

[@dawncasares7835]

Thank you for the settings! Since yours is 60 that is a good starting point for ours.

[@MakerExperiment]

You’re welcome!

[@mmorrissey9899]

Have to say that your presentation style is one which should be used as a standard for even many of the “big” guys making presentations. Nicely edited and none of the hyperbole so common in other videos.

[@MakerExperiment]

I appreciate it! Thanks for watching.

[@mikesmith7989]

Thanks for this video. Been wanting to cut vinyl on my laser and haven't had any luck finding a good video. This is what I needed to see. Can't wait to give it a try. Thanks again

[@MakerExperiment]

Just make sure it’s laser safe.

[@mikesmith7989]

@@MakerExperiment I get most of my vinyl from Stahl's and had them send the SDS for that material. Thanks again for all your informative videos

[@marniharris3421]

Have been using the glitter and the holographic vinyl but cut with my cutter. Just got a sticky mat and when I get the nerve will try it on the laser. Thanks Trevor.

[@MakerExperiment]

I can’t wait to see what you come up with.

[@darlenepino1056]

I love the dragon. Thank you. For HTV, do not wash using fabric softener, and turn tee shirt inside out and it will last a lot longer. Most HTV is easier to get off the mat by flipping the whole thing over on a table and remove the mat from the vinyl (vinyl flat on a table) Great video. I subscribed.

[@MakerExperiment]

Thank you for the tips and for subscribing!

[@TheLouisianaHobbyGuy]

*Looks like a fun project!* _Now I just need a heat press..._ 🤪

[@MakerExperiment]

You can also use an iron.

[@TheLouisianaHobbyGuy]

@@MakerExperiment Good idea!

[@benjaminpastrana9662]

awesome 🙌🙌🙌

[@MakerExperiment]

Thank you.

[@jamesjacob2264]

Thanks for sharing, it was really great video I'm concerned if a 10w sculpfun s9🤭 may work well on the vinyls for same idea as you did. And what about the dragon print? Did it wear off after running it on machine wash?

[@MakerExperiment]

So far it’s held up. Part of the issue was I didn’t wait for it to cool down before I peeled it. I didn’t read instructions 😂. I’m sure your 10w machine can get through it. Engraving may take a long time.

[@jamesjacob2264]

@@MakerExperiment thanks alot😎✌✌

[@dcuccia]

Hi, thanks for the great tutorial. The sticky mat looks great, but it's a little pricey. I have shared access to a laser, and trying to keep the budget close to the HTV and t-shirt costs. What would you recommend as a lower cost alternative? Would taping down to an acrylic sheet work reasonably well?

[@MakerExperiment]

If you’re going to be doing a lot of t-shirts, you may want to just use a vinyl cutter as you won’t be as limited on types of vinyl. If it’s few and far between, you can tape it to the bed or possibly even use magnets.

[@dcuccia]

@@MakerExperiment thanks! Just five shirts for now, so I'll give those a shot!

[@MakerExperiment]

@dcuccia best of luck!

[@1441engraving]

Thanks for making this video. I found out a number of months ago that this could be done. I’ve had limited time to test my HTV and when I had, my laser was blowing right through the carrier. 🤷🏻‍♂️ Much more testing needs to be done but I’m almost certain that my 130w laser may be too powerful for this application. Time will tell! I may make a video as well if I can get it right!

[@MakerExperiment]

My guess is you’ll have to run it at really lower power and fast speeds.

[@PandorusFightStick]

did the residues wash off the dragon t-shirt? what vinyl was this like it

[@MakerExperiment]

The vinyl was a HTV from Siser. I don’t remember the specific kind but if you search their site I think it was a metal category one that’s laser safe. The residue did wash off.

[@rommycougar]

Thats awesome, how much is the laser unit 😊? Would you assist in setting up the software especially for vinyl engraving for tshirts?

[@MakerExperiment]

The laser I use starts at $9,995 or something like that. I do offer coaching and trainings for people that want 1:1 help if that’s something you’re interested in. I will say that it’s a pretty tricky thing to dial in.

[@rommycougar]

@@MakerExperiment it’s an awesome and it makes working with vinyl much more easier, however buying a unit is somehow expensive for me currently 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@altered14]

I have done this with HTV to a screen printing screen for screen printing small batches.

[@MakerExperiment]

I’ve never thought of that.

[@AdiMarta-em9fy]

Thank you for making this video. As always very well done. I’m interested in a heat press and I was curious what press do you have. Unfortunately the link doesn’t work, at least not for me ☹️ Safari doesn’t open it. Can you please repost the links for the heat press and Siser HTV?

[@MakerExperiment]

That’s weird because it worked for me. Here’s the affiliate link to Heat Press Nation. shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=1137072&u=2671558&m=77504&urllink=&afftrack= The specific vinyl is called Siser Glitter HTV and Siser Holographic HTV. The heat press is the HPN Signature PRO 15" x 15" Auto-Open Heat Press with SurePressure.

[@wycohibito]

Did the dragon residue wash off? When I've done sometime similar in the past it didn't but that was a different product.

[@MakerExperiment]

I haven’t washed it yet but my kid got it wet and some of it already came off. Not sure if it all will.

[@wycohibito]

@@MakerExperiment thanks for answering. That's good to know too.

[@benjaminpastrana9662]

can I do the dragon effect with the xTools M1?

[@MakerExperiment]

You can definitely try it and see what happens.

[@staceyljensen13]

I have a 40 watt epilog laser and when I did 20 speed 2 power and 500 frequency, it cut through the transfer layer too making it impossible to weed. What do you recommend?

[@MakerExperiment]

There’s a couple things you can try. You can try lowering the power to 1. You can speed the machine up to maybe 25-30. Frequency I probably wouldn’t mess with yet. Every machine is a little different.

[@brianlofton2489]

Thanks for showing this, yeah, NO WAY I'd want to weed out the dragon. 1. The initial 3-5 second press is to get the moisture out of the garment so the HTV sticks best. Yes, it also irons it flat too! 2. To make weeding easier, turn on your heat press, press the to heat platen to the empty bottom platen for about 5-8 seconds, then place your HTV with the carrier side down and allow the HTV to warm up a bit, then weeding will be easier. OR you can spend hundreds of dollars for a warming table 🤪 3. Heat Press Nation (HPN) sells quality heat presses (unlike Amazon). To check your Heat press for temperature accuracy, HPN sells temperature test strips to for heat presses. 4. HTV - the matte side is the heat activated glue, so once you burn through the glue any HTV left there *should NOT stick... meaning you may not have to burn as deep as you did on the dragon! I suggest to run a test pattern with HTV varying your laser settings, then pressing to see what's necessary to just burn the glue off (which may be different depending on the specific HTV you're using, Easy weed vs glitter vs StripFlockPro vs Holo vs the NEW PUFF metallics etc.! Not to mention using other brands)

[@prayingkoala]

What is a kiss cut?

[@MakerExperiment]

On heat transfer vinyl it’s a cut that goes through the vinyl but not through the transfer layer.

[@prayingkoala]

@ thank you! Great video! I really love the dragon! Beautiful.

[@MakerExperiment]

@prayingkoala thank you for watching!

[@mikesmith7989]

Im cutting on a Thunder 80 watt laser. Tried cutting my vinyl but not having good results. Can you please explain the part about changing your frequency. Thanks

[@MakerExperiment]

That’s only an option if you have an RF tube laser. If you have a glass tube laser, it’s not possible. Have you tried doing a material test grid of various settings?

[@mikesmith7989]

@@MakerExperiment thanks for reply. That helps. I will give it a shot lowering power and adjusting speed. Once again thank you for all videos. Very helpful.

[@MakerExperiment]

@@mikesmith7989 you’re welcome!

[@Scott300300300]

They look good and it is great you can do this. But you can't make money with this because it is time intensive and the method is too sensitive to problems imo. Excellent video and I enjoy your content

[@MakerExperiment]

I’ve seen people make money doing this. I don’t think it’s any more time intensive than using a cricut and people make money with that all the time. While I agree it’s not a largely scalable business model, you could make some fun money with it.

[@junkpilenolonger-vq8qn]

Dragon Nice

[@MakerExperiment]

Thank you!

[@janesfavsvideos]

[@jessehavok4181]

Seriously? You couldn't give them a wash and let us know how it turned out? Somebody owes me 22 minutes.

[@MakerExperiment]

They’re still holding up.