These are the three most common ways hobby makers put designs on shirts, mugs and tote bags. Each has a different setup and different limits.
Heat transfer vinyl (HTV)
You cut a design from vinyl with a cutting machine, weed away the extra, and press it on. Best for: simple, bold designs with few colours. Works on: cotton, polyester and blends. Watch out for: layering many colours takes time.
Sublimation
Special ink turns to gas under heat and bonds with polyester or polymer coated blanks. Best for: full colour photos and detailed art. Works on: white or light polyester fabrics and sublimation blanks like coated mugs. Watch out for: it does not work well on dark fabric or plain cotton.
Direct to film (DTF)
A design is printed onto film with adhesive powder, then pressed. Best for: full colour on almost any fabric colour. Watch out for: the printer setup is a bigger investment, so many hobbyists buy ready made DTF transfers instead.
Quick picker
- Already own a Cricut and want simple shirts? Start with HTV.
- Want photo mugs and polyester shirts? Try sublimation.
- Want full colour on dark cotton? Order DTF transfers.
TREVOR: add a side by side photo of the same design done with two methods, if you can make one.
