What Are the Different Types of Heat Transfer Vinyl and Which One Will Make Your Project Pop?

Why Everyone’s Asking “What Are the Different Types of Heat Transfer Vinyl?”

Scroll any crafting forum at 2 a.m. and you’ll see the same burning question: what are the different types of heat transfer vinyl that won’t peel, crack, or look dull after three washes? The short answer—there’s way more than the basic “matte” roll hiding in your drawer. The long answer? Grab a coffee, because once you see the full rainbow of options, you’ll rethink every plain T-shirt in your closet.

Standard HTV: The Workhorse Nobody Talks About

Call it “everyday” or “regular,” standard polyurethane HTV is still the go-to for 80 % of projects. It presses at 305 °F for 10–15 s, peels warm, and stretches with cotton or poly blends. But here’s the kicker: thickness varies by brand. Cheaper rolls often measure 120 microns; premium ones sit at 90 microns and feel almost screen-printed. If you’re bulk-producing tees for a local 5 k, standard is your wallet’s BFF—just watch the weeding; tiny letters can be a pain.

Glitter HTV: Sparkle Without the Mess

Let’s be real, nobody wants craft herpes (yep, those stubborn glitter flecks) on the kitchen table. Luckily, modern glitter HTV encapsulates the bling inside a smooth top layer, so it doesn’t shed. It also hides shirt fibers better than metallic, making it forgiving on lower-grade cotton. Pro tip: lower your press to 320 °F and use a teflon sheet; too much direct heat can flatten the sparkle faster than you can say “boring.”

Flock HTV: Velvet Touch, Premium Price

Run your palm across flock and you’ll understand why boutique brands charge double. The fuzzy 350-micron pile adds dimension that screams luxury. It’s thick, though, so layer only on top, not beneath. And—tiny grammar slip incoming—“it press” best with medium pressure for 20 s; peel cold for crisp edges. Limited color palette, but the tactile payoff is huge on hoodies and kids’ blankets.

Reflective HTV: Safety Meets Streetwear

Designed with glass beads embedded in the face film, reflective HTV lights up like a highway sign when hit by headlights. Cyclists love it, but fashion brands are now using it for edgy hood accents. One caveat: it’s rigid. Stretch more than 15 % and the beads crack, killing the glow. Use it on pockets, hats, or small chest logos rather than full-back designs.

Patterned / Printed HTV: Endless Graphics, Zero Sublimation Equipment

Not ready to invest in a $600 sublimation printer? Printed HTV lets you slap full-color cartoons, watercolor florals, or even photographic portraits onto cotton. The carrier sheet holds the print in register, so you cut mirror-image just like solid colors. Wash inside out, skip bleach, and you’ve got 50+ washes before fade shows. Great for one-off gifts; pricey for volume, but the “wow” factor pays for itself.

Stretch HTV: Gym Wear’s Secret Weapon

Spandex, Lycra, performance tees—standard vinyl pops like an old rubber band on these. Enter stretch HTV: thinner (80 microns), higher elasticity, and a semi-matte finish that blends with synthetic fibers. It needs a “low and slow” recipe: 285 °F for 12 s, then cool peel. Ignore the temp recommendation on the roll; every iron runs a tad hotter on the edges.

Metallic & Holographic HTV: Mirror Shine or Oil-Slick Rainbow?

Metallic gives that chrome-gold trophy look, while holographic throws prismatic flashes under club lights. Both contain a heat-sensitive lacquer layer that scorches above 315 °F, turning your gleam into a dull grey patch. Use a heat-press pillow inside shirts to absorb seams, and always hand-press—don’t slide. Oh, and store rolls upright; any crease becomes a permanent lightning bolt.

Glow-in-the-Dark HTV: Because Nighttime Needs Fun Too

Charge under UV or plain sunlight for five minutes and your design glows eerie green for up to two hours. The phosphorescent layer is slightly grainy, so it’s not ideal for ultra-fine text. Blend it with standard white for a hidden message that only appears after dark—killer for sleepover shirts or concert merch.

So, Which Heat Transfer Vinyl Should You Actually Buy?

Ask yourself three quick questions:

1. Is the garment 100 % cotton, a poly blend, or performance stretch?
2. Will the wearer dance, bike, or couch-surf in it?
3. Am I selling, gifting, or wearing till it dies?

Match those answers to the types above and you’ll cut waste, boost durability, and—let’s be honest—avoid that sad moment when a friend asks “Hey, why is your unicorn peeling off?”

Quick Reference Cheat Sheet

Keep this chart taped near your press; future-you will high-five present-you when midnight orders roll in.