Heat-transfer vinyl. A colored vinyl film cut to shape and pressed onto a garment with a heat platen. Simple, sharp, and cost-effective for small runs; less suitable for fine photo detail. is the cut-and-press method: a plotter cuts the design from a colored vinyl roll, the excess is hand-weeded away, and the design is heat-pressed onto the garment. It's unbeatable for names, numbers, and crisp one- or two-color graphics, with strong opacity on nearly any fabric. Its economics run opposite to screen printing: zero setup, but per-piece labor that never goes down.
- Best for
- Names, numbers, and crisp one- or two-color graphics. Personalization is free, so jerseys, spirit wear, and event one-offs live here.
- Watch out
- Every color is a separate cut, weed, and press, so multicolor or fine-detail jobs belong to DTF or screens.
How it works and where it wins
Because every piece is cut individually, personalization is free: a team order with twenty different names and numbers costs the same per shirt as twenty identical ones. That makes Heat-transfer vinyl. A colored vinyl film cut to shape and pressed onto a garment with a heat platen. Simple, sharp, and cost-effective for small runs; less suitable for fine photo detail. the workhorse for jerseys, spirit wear, workwear names, and event one-offs.
The material range is wide (matte, glitter, metallic, flock, reflective, and stretch formulations), so it also covers effects other methods can't produce.
What it asks of the blank
Heat-transfer vinyl. A colored vinyl film cut to shape and pressed onto a garment with a heat platen. Simple, sharp, and cost-effective for small runs; less suitable for fine photo detail. bonds to most fabrics: cotton, poly, blends, and with the right formulation even nylon and leather. The vinyl is fully opaque, so garment color barely matters; white type on a black hoodie is effortless. Smooth, flat surfaces press best, while heavy ribbing, seams, and deep fleece texture under the press area cause incomplete adhesion at the edges.
Two fabric cautions: heat-sensitive synthetics can scorch or take shiny press marks, so performance poly wants low-temperature vinyl formulations, and stretchy athletic knits need stretch-rated Heat-transfer vinyl. A colored vinyl film cut to shape and pressed onto a garment with a heat platen. Simple, sharp, and cost-effective for small runs; less suitable for fine photo detail. or the design cracks when the fabric flexes. For sublimated or bright poly, dye-blocking vinyl prevents the garment dye from staining light-colored vinyl.
Costs and common pitfalls
Material is cheap; labor is the whole cost. Every color in a design is a separate cut, weed, and press cycle, and weeding a detailed design can take many minutes per piece, which is why decorators keep Heat-transfer vinyl. A colored vinyl film cut to shape and pressed onto a garment with a heat platen. Simple, sharp, and cost-effective for small runs; less suitable for fine photo detail. jobs to one or two colors and cap layering at two or three. A multicolor run of any size is a DTF or screen job.
Pitfalls: fine detail and small text that won't weed cleanly, layered designs that feel thick and stiff, peeling from wrong time-temperature-pressure settings, and pressing over seams or zippers. Done right on a sane design, quality Heat-transfer vinyl. A colored vinyl film cut to shape and pressed onto a garment with a heat platen. Simple, sharp, and cost-effective for small runs; less suitable for fine photo detail. outlasts the garment.
Browse Vinyl (HTV) by category
Vinyl presses onto almost any fabric, so this browses the whole catalog by category. Each row previews a category's best, and the Shop all link opens the rest.
T-Shirt 288
Shop all 288 T-Shirt →
17 colors
Bella + Canvas style number 6405
Women’s Relaxed Jersey V-Neck Tee
$8.18
Retail $10.90
Save up to 25%
31 colors
Rabbit Skins style number 3301T
Toddler Cotton Jersey Tee
$4.56
Retail $6.08
Save up to 25%
34 colors
Bella + Canvas style number 3001YCVC
Youth CVC Jersey Tee
$6.63
Retail $8.84
Save up to 25%
Sweatshirt 176
Shop all 176 Sweatshirt →
63 colors
Bella + Canvas style number 3719
Unisex Sponge Fleece Hoodie Sweatshirt
$27.18
Retail $36.23
Save up to 25%
6 colors
Bella + Canvas style number 3719Y
Youth Sponge Fleece Hoodie Sweatshirt
$23.66
Retail $31.54
Save up to 25%
6 colors
Bella + Canvas style number 7505
Women's Crop Raglan Crewneck Sweatshirt
$29.37
Retail $39.16
Save up to 25%
6 colors
Bella + Canvas style number 3719T
Toddler Sponge Fleece Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt
$21.57
Retail $28.75
Save up to 25%
6 colors
Comfort Colors style number 1566L
Women's Garment-Dyed Mid-Length Crewneck Sweatshirt
$25.88
Retail $34.50
Save up to 25%
41 colors
Gildan style number 18000
Unisex Heavy Blend™ Crewneck Sweatshirt
$14.40
Retail $19.20
Save up to 25%
10 colors
Gildan style number 18000B
Youth Heavy Blend™ Crewneck Sweatshirt
$12.60
Retail $16.81
Save up to 25%
29 colors
Gildan style number SF000
Unisex Softstyle® Midweight Crewneck Sweatshirt
$14.37
Retail $20.04
Save up to 28%
15 colors
Gildan style number SF500B
Youth Softstyle® Midweight Hooded Sweatshirt
$16.71
Retail $22.29
Save up to 25%
18 colors
Rabbit Skins style number 3317
Toddler Fleece Crewneck Sweatshirt
$10.97
Retail $14.62
Save up to 25%
31 colors
Rabbit Skins style number 3326
Toddler Pullover Fleece Hoodie
$15.35
Retail $20.45
Save up to 25%
8 colors
Team 365 style number TT31HW
Women's Zone Sonic Heather Performance Quarter-Zip Pullover
$20.09
Retail $26.78
Save up to 25%
42 colors
Bella + Canvas style number 3901
Unisex Sponge Fleece Raglan Crewneck Sweatshirt
$25.64
Retail $34.17
Save up to 25%
4 colors
Bella + Canvas style number 3901Y
Youth Sponge Fleece Crewneck Sweatshirt
$18.68
Retail $24.90
Save up to 25%
Hat 107
Shop all 107 Hat →
4 colors
Richardson style number 112Y
Youth Trucker Snapback Cap
$10.43
Retail $13.90
Save up to 25%
12 colors
Team 365 style number TT801Y
Youth Zone Performance Cap by Yupoong®
$10.43
Retail $13.90
Save up to 25%
8 colors
Team 365 style number TT802Y
Youth Zone Peformance Trucker Cap by Yupoong
$10.43
Retail $13.90
Save up to 25%
20 colors
Richardson style number 111
Garment-Washed Trucker Cap
$10.82
Retail $14.42
Save up to 25%
9 colors
Richardson style number 111P
Garment Washed Printed Trucker Cap
$11.97
Retail $15.96
Save up to 25%
Bag 49
Shop all 49 Bag →
6 colors
Liberty Bags style number 8871
Windward Large Cotton Canvas Classic Resort Tote
$24.50
Retail $32.67
Save up to 25%
4 colors
Liberty Bags style number 7006
Bay View Giant Zippered Tote
$16.11
Retail $21.48
Save up to 25%
6 colors
Liberty Bags style number 8872
Carmel Classic XL Cotton Canvas Resort Tote
$27.71
Retail $36.93
Save up to 25%
10 colors
Independent Trading style number INDDUFBAG
29L Day Tripper Duffel Bag
$25.56
Retail $34.09
Save up to 25%
3 colors
Liberty Bags style number 3906
27" Explorer Large Duffel Bag
$49.13
Retail $65.50
Save up to 25%
Value
1 color
Liberty Bags style number 5778
Clear Stadium 2-Pocket Fanny Pack/Crossbody Bag
$15.80
Retail $21.05
Save up to 25%
Tank Top 43
Shop all 43 Tank Top →
13 colors
Bella + Canvas style number 6003
Women's Jersey Muscle Tank
$6.78
Retail $8.84
Save up to 23%
14 colors
Bella + Canvas style number 6008
Women's Jersey Racerback Tank
$6.63
Retail $8.84
Save up to 25%
34 colors
Comfort Colors style number 9360
Unisex Garment-Dyed Heavyweight Tank Top
$10.02
Retail $13.37
Save up to 25%
25 colors
Bella + Canvas style number 8800
Women's Flowy Racerback Tank
$9.87
Retail $13.16
Save up to 25%
Jacket 33
Shop all 33 Jacket →
4 colors
Independent Trading style number EXP24YWZ
Youth Lightweight Windbreaker Full-Zip Jacket
$24.95
Retail $33.27
Save up to 25%
20 colors
Independent Trading style number EXP54LWZ
Men's Lightweight Windbreaker Full-Zip Jacket
$27.11
Retail $36.15
Save up to 25%
6 colors
Independent Trading style number EXP60PAZ
Women's Poly-Tech Full-Zip Track Jacket
$30.05
Retail $40.06
Save up to 25%
11 colors
Team 365 style number TT73
Unisex Zone Protect Lightweight Jacket
$23.18
Retail $30.90
Save up to 25%
11 colors
Team 365 style number TT73Y
Youth Zone Protect Lightweight Jacket
$22.40
Retail $29.87
Save up to 25%
17 colors
Team 365 style number TT80W
Women's Leader Soft Shell Jacket
$35.15
Retail $46.86
Save up to 25%
1 color
Independent Trading style number EXP100PFZ
Men's Puffer Jacket
$57.63
Retail $76.83
Save up to 25%
1 color
Independent Trading style number EXP200PFZ
Women's Puffer Jacket
$57.63
Retail $76.83
Save up to 25%
4 colors
Independent Trading style number EXP64CRP
Women's Lightweight Quarter-Zip Pullover Crop Windbreaker
$27.77
Retail $37.01
Save up to 25%
3 colors
Independent Trading style number EXP99CNB
Men's Water-Resistant Windbreaker Coach’s Jacket
$39.26
Retail $52.34
Save up to 25%
9 colors
Team 365 style number TT80Y
Youth Leader Soft Shell Jacket
$35.15
Retail $46.86
Save up to 25%
11 colors
Team 365 style number TT90W
Women's Campus Microfleece Jacket
$26.27
Retail $35.02
Save up to 25%
5 colors
Team 365 style number TT70
Unisex Conquest Jacket with Mesh Lining
$38.24
Retail $50.98
Save up to 25%
4 colors
Team 365 style number TT86W
Women's Dominator Waterproof Jacket
$67.20
Retail $89.60
Save up to 25%
Pants 27
Shop all 27 Pants →
3 colors
Bella + Canvas style number 3738Y
Youth Sponge Fleece Sweatpants
$21.77
Retail $29.02
Save up to 25%
7 colors
Comfort Colors style number 1469
Unisex Garment-Dyed Lightweight Sweatpants
$28.95
Retail $38.60
Save up to 25%
9 colors
Gildan style number 18200
Unisex Heavy Blend™ Sweatpants
$16.74
Retail $22.33
Save up to 25%
3 colors
Gildan style number 18200B
Youth Heavy Blend™ Sweatpants
$14.70
Retail $19.61
Save up to 25%
3 colors
Independent Trading style number PRM16PNT
Youth Lightweight Special Blend Sweatpants
$18.17
Retail $24.22
Save up to 25%
3 colors
Gildan style number 18400
Unisex Heavy Blend™ Open-Bottom Sweatpants
$17.84
Retail $23.77
Save up to 25%
4 colors
Bella + Canvas style number 3725
Unisex Sponge Fleece Straight Leg Sweatpants
$29.70
Retail $39.61
Save up to 25%
5 colors
Bella + Canvas style number 3738
Unisex Sponge Fleece Sweatpants
$24.86
Retail $33.14
Save up to 25%
10 colors
Bella + Canvas style number 4737
Unisex 10 oz. Heavyweight Sweatpants
$33.23
Retail $44.31
Save up to 25%
5 colors
Gildan style number 18100
Unisex Heavy Blend™ Pocket Sweatpants
$15.44
Retail $20.58
Save up to 25%
8 colors
Gildan style number SF100
Unisex Softstyle® Midweight Pocket Sweatpants
$23.16
Retail $30.88
Save up to 25%
Polo Shirt 24
Shop all 24 Polo Shirt →
21 colors
Team 365 style number TT21W
Women's Command Snag Protection Polo
$16.22
Retail $21.63
Save up to 25%
5 colors
Team 365 style number TT51HW
Women's Zone Sonic Heather Performance Polo
$15.45
Retail $20.60
Save up to 25%
5 colors
Team 365 style number TT51HY
Youth Zone Sonic Heather Performance Polo
$15.45
Retail $20.60
Save up to 25%
8 colors
Team 365 style number TT51W
Women's Zone Performance Polo
$11.21
Retail $14.93
Save up to 25%
8 colors
Team 365 style number TT51Y
Youth Zone Performance Polo
$11.21
Retail $14.93
Save up to 25%
13 colors
Gildan style number 64800
Unisex Softstyle® Pique Polo
$10.02
Retail $13.37
Save up to 25%
9 colors
Gildan style number 64800L
Women's Softstyle® Pique Polo
$10.23
Retail $13.64
Save up to 25%
21 colors
Team 365 style number TT21
Men's Command Snag Protection Polo
$16.22
Retail $21.63
Save up to 25%
5 colors
Team 365 style number TT21C
Men's Command Snag-Protection Colorblock Polo
$19.31
Retail $25.75
Save up to 25%
Accessories 14
7 colors
Independent Trading style number INDBKTSB
Special Blend Blanket
$34.71
Retail $35.66
Save up to 3%
4 colors
Comfort Colors style number 15BT
Garment-Dyed Fleece Dorm Blanket
$62.09
Retail $82.78
Save up to 25%
7 colors
Gildan style number 18900
Heavy Blend™ Fleece Stadium Blanket
$16.98
Retail $22.64
Save up to 25%
4 colors
Liberty Bags style number FT001SC
Slim Can and Bottle Holder
$1.31
Retail $1.73
Save up to 24%
4 colors
Liberty Bags style number FT007SC
12 oz. Neoprene Slim Can and Bottle Holder
$2.03
Retail $2.70
Save up to 25%
Value
5 colors
Rabbit Skins style number 1110
Premium Jersey Infant Blanket
$10.55
Retail $14.07
Save up to 25%
Shorts 14
2 colors
Bella + Canvas style number 6824GD
Women's Garment-Dyed Shorts
$18.68
Retail $24.90
Save up to 25%
6 colors
Comfort Colors style number 1468
Unisex Garment-Dyed Lightweight Sweat Shorts
$22.25
Retail $29.66
Save up to 25%
14 colors
Independent Trading style number IND20SRT
Men's Midweight Fleece Shorts
$19.92
Retail $26.55
Save up to 25%
9 colors
Independent Trading style number PRM20SRT
Women’s Lightweight California Wave Wash Fleece Shorts
$18.12
Retail $24.16
Save up to 25%
6 colors
Team 365 style number TT11SH
Men's Zone Performance Shorts
$9.50
Retail $12.67
Save up to 25%
5 colors
Team 365 style number TT11SHW
Women's Zone Performance Shorts
$9.50
Retail $12.67
Save up to 25%
5 colors
Team 365 style number TT11SHY
Youth Zone Performance Shorts
$9.50
Retail $12.67
Save up to 25%
5 colors
Bella + Canvas style number 3724
Unisex Sponge Fleece Shorts
$25.01
Retail $33.35
Save up to 25%
1 color
Independent Trading style number PRM50STMW
Unisex Mineral Wash Fleece Shorts
$24.56
Retail $32.73
Save up to 25%
2 colors
Independent Trading style number PRM50STTD
Unisex Tie-Dyed Fleece Shorts
$24.56
Retail $32.73
Save up to 25%
10 colors
Independent Trading style number PRM50STPD
Unisex Pigment-Dyed Fleece Shorts
$23.58
Retail $31.43
Save up to 25%
5 colors
Team 365 style number TT115B
Unisex Zone Performance Reversible Shorts
$13.91
Retail $18.54
Save up to 25%
5 colors
Team 365 style number TT115BY
Youth Zone Performance Reversible Shorts
$13.91
Retail $18.54
Save up to 25%
Other 2
Dress Shirt 1
10 colors
Independent Trading style number EXP50F
Unisex Flannel Shirt
$41.96
Retail $55.94
Save up to 25%