Heat press settings Celsius for UK crafters

Fabric

100% cotton

Cotton is the friendly fabric for cut vinyl and for DTF. It does not take sublimation dye, however light the shirt is.

For names, numbers and one-colour designs, start with standard HTV. Siser EasyWeed, which lists 100% cotton, is 150°C (305°F) for 10–15 seconds, medium pressure, hot or cold peel. Garment Films One Flex, whose chart includes cotton, uses 140°C for 8 seconds as the standard recommendation. Glitter, flock and the speciality films have their own pages.

For a photograph or a full-colour design, use DTF. Xpres describe it for cotton as well as polyester and blends. Their product sheet presses at 160°C for 15 seconds, light to medium, cold peel, then a second 15-second press. Their general guide says 150–160°C for 10–15 seconds and mentions raising the temperature slightly for heavier cotton, without a new number. Garment Films’ FAQ lists a basic DTF range of 140–150°C for 8–10 seconds.

Pre-press cotton. It holds moisture, and a damp patch is a common reason vinyl lifts after a wash that looked fine in the press. Siser’s lift fix, if you do need one, is to cover the design and press again for 5–10 seconds. Wait 24 hours before the first wash, turn the shirt inside out, and skip fabric conditioner. Both Siser and Garment Films say that.

Kids’ cotton vests and pyjamas are still cotton, with extra care around prints, poppers and nightwear rules. That sits on the children’s clothing page. Thick cotton canvas is on the tote bag page.

Common questions

Can I sublimate a white cotton shirt?

No. Xpres state that sublimation only works on light-coloured polyester or polymer-coated items, and will not work on cotton. White cotton stays blank because the dye has nothing polyester to bond with.

Is cotton hotter than polyester for HTV?

Not on the Siser EasyWeed sheet. Cotton, poly-cotton and polyester share 150°C for 10–15 seconds. Polyester is more likely to shine or bleed dye at that heat, which is a different problem.

Sources