Method
Stretch, metallic and holographic HTV
These films get lumped together in craft shops and they should not share one setting. Stretch alone runs from 120°C to 160°C depending on which roll you have.
Stretch
| Film | Temperature | Time | Pressure | Peel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Siser EasyWeed EcoStretch | 120°C (250°F) | 10–15 seconds | Medium | Hot |
| Garment Films Stretch Flex | 150°C (302°F) | 10 seconds | Not listed on the chart | Cool |
| Siser EasyWeed Stretch | 160°C (320°F) | 20 seconds | Firm | Hot or cold |
EcoStretch is listed for cotton, poly-cotton, polyester and Lycra or spandex. A Siser reference chart prints 121°C beside the same 250°F, while the instruction sheet prints 120°C. EasyWeed Stretch is the one that also lists nylon, at a much hotter firm press. If a stretchy polyester shirt shines, try the EcoStretch row only when that is the film you have.
Metallic
| Film | Temperature | Time | Pressure | Peel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garment Films Stretch Metallic | 140°C (284°F) | 7–10 seconds | Not listed on the chart | Warm or cool |
| Siser Metal | 150°C (305°F) | 10–15 seconds | Medium | Cold |
| Garment Films Metallic and Holographic | 140–150°C (284–302°F) | 10–15 seconds | Not listed on the chart | Hot, warm or cool |
Siser Metal’s instruction sheet lists cotton, poly-cotton and polyester. It does not list nylon. Leave a cold-peel carrier until it is actually cold. Warm is not cold.
Holographic
| Film | Temperature | Time | Pressure | Peel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garment Films Holo PU Black | 140°C (284°F) | 8–10 seconds | Not listed on the chart | Cold |
| Garment Films Metallic and Holographic | 140–150°C (284–302°F) | 10–15 seconds | Not listed on the chart | Hot, warm or cool |
| Siser Holographic | 160°C (320°F) | 15–20 seconds | Medium to firm | Cold |
Siser’s tips say to apply hot and peel cold, and that you can rub the garment on a table or a glass window to pull the heat out of the carrier. Their instruction sheet says medium to firm pressure for 15–20 seconds. The tips page says medium pressure for that same time. If the sheet in the box picks one, follow the box.
None of the Garment Films rows above are for nylon or coated fabrics. For babywear and cool-iron clothes, start on the children’s clothing page rather than at 160°C.
How to press it
- Read the name on the roll. EasyWeed Stretch, EcoStretch, Stretch Flex, Metal and Holo PU Black are different rows. The colour family is not the instruction.
- Pre-press and cover. Metallic and holographic films show every scorch and every crease. Cover them.
- Press that row only. EcoStretch is 120°C for 10–15 seconds, medium, hot peel. EasyWeed Stretch is 160°C for 20 seconds, firm, hot or cold. Garment Films Stretch Flex is 150°C for 10 seconds, cool peel.
- Peel cold when told. Siser Metal and Siser Holographic are cold peels. Siser say to let holographic go cold, and that you can cool the carrier against a table or glass. Garment Films Holo PU Black is also a cold peel.
- Test stretch on the real fabric. A film can flex in your hand and still crack on elastane if it was under-pressed. Stretch a scrap after it has cooled.
Common questions
Which stretch film is the cool one?
Siser EasyWeed EcoStretch: 120°C (250°F), medium pressure, 10–15 seconds, hot peel. EasyWeed Stretch is 160°C and firm for 20 seconds. They are both stretch films.
Can I use these on nylon?
EasyWeed Stretch lists nylon. EcoStretch’s instruction sheet does not. Siser Metal does not. Garment Films say the films on their chart are not suitable for nylon, though they do mention Lycra for Stretch Metallic. Lycra and nylon are different fibres.
Why does holographic look different on a black shirt?
Siser say the finish will not look the same on black as on white. That is the film, not a failed press.
Sources
- Siser EasyWeed Stretch — 160°C / 320°F, firm, 20 seconds
- Siser HTV application instructions (PDF) — EcoStretch and Metal
- Siser, working with holographic — 160°C, 15–20 seconds, cold peel
- Garment Films application guidelines (PDF) — Stretch Flex, Stretch Metallic, holographic lines