Best Places To Buy T-Shirt Vinyl

T-shirt vinyl is a popular method for creating unique designs on t-shirts. It involves using a vinyl cutter, such as a Plotter Cutter, to create stencil outlines on heat transfer or vinyl material, which is then heated onto the t-shirt. This technique can produce distressed looks with effects like glitter and varnish textures, resulting in distinctive prints. T-shirt vinyl is ideal for smaller runs as it avoids additional setup charges and is perfect for quick text printing with limited colour choices. Various online platforms, such as eBay and specialist websites, offer t-shirt vinyl supplies and tools. Additionally, local shops in London provide t-shirt printing services using vinyl cutting, with some offering same-day and next-day services.

Online

There are many online options for purchasing t-shirt vinyl.

Amazon

Amazon offers a wide range of t-shirt vinyl products, with over 4,000 results for "t-shirt vinyl" on their website. They offer free delivery on orders over $35 and have a range of vinyl types, including HTV heat transfer vinyl, glitter vinyl, and vinyl sheets.

Aviva Wholesale

Aviva Wholesale offers Ultra Flex Regular Colors 20” wide Heat Transfer Vinyl for T-Shirt and Apparel - HTV. They provide free shipping on orders over $99 and sell other items such as t-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, and vinyl cutting machines.

Heat Transfer Warehouse

The Heat Transfer Warehouse offers a range of heat transfer vinyl products, including Siser EasyWeed Heat Transfer Vinyl in 12" width and sheet form, and ThermoFlex Plus 15" Heat Transfer Vinyl. They also offer a deal of the week, currently offering 15% off accessories.

Heat Transfer Vinyl & T-Shirt Warehouse

The Heat Transfer Vinyl & T-Shirt Warehouse offers a premium heat transfer vinyl collection, as well as permanent sign vinyl, decal materials, and a sublimation collection. They provide free shipping on orders over $100 in the USA and have a phone number and address listed on their website.

Transfer Express

Transfer Express offers T-Shirt Pro HTV, a no-fuss, easy-to-weed heat transfer vinyl. It features a low-tack carrier, making it ideal for larger designs, and can be applied with a heat press, standard home iron, or Cricut EasyPress.

Expressions Vinyl

Expressions Vinyl offers a range of heat transfer vinyl products, including sheets, rolls, and cutters. They carry well-known brands such as Cricut, Silhouette, and Siser, and provide how-to videos, a blog, and project ideas for those who are new to using heat transfer vinyl.

In-store

If you're looking to buy t-shirt vinyl in-store, there are a few options to consider. Firstly, you can try craft stores or specialty vinyl and heat transfer warehouses. These stores typically stock a wide range of vinyl products, including heat transfer vinyl, cutters, and heat presses. Some popular craft stores include Hobby Lobby and Michaels. You can also find online retailers like Heat Transfer Warehouse and Aviva Wholesale, which offer a variety of heat transfer vinyl options and may have physical stores in your area.

Another option is to visit local t-shirt printing businesses. These businesses often sell heat transfer vinyl to the public, and they may also provide additional services like custom printing and vinyl application. You can search for "t-shirt printing" or "custom apparel" in your local area to find nearby options.

Additionally, some hardware stores, such as Home Depot or Lowe's, may carry heat transfer vinyl in their craft or home decorating sections. This option may be more limited in terms of variety, but it's worth checking if convenience is a priority.

Lastly, depending on your location, you may be able to find t-shirt vinyl at wholesale stores or markets. These stores often cater to small businesses and offer bulk quantities of products at discounted prices. By visiting these stores, you may be able to purchase heat transfer vinyl at competitive prices.

When visiting any of these stores, it's a good idea to call ahead or check their websites to confirm that they have t-shirt vinyl in stock and to compare prices and product options.

Vinyl cutting

Buying T-Shirt Vinyl

When buying T-shirt vinyl, it's important to consider the type of fabric you'll be applying it to, as different types of vinyl are suitable for different fabrics. For example, if you're using a sublimation printer, you'll need to use a T-shirt with a high polyester content, preferably 100%. On the other hand, if you want to apply vinyl to a black cotton T-shirt, you'll need to use white vinyl.

You can buy T-shirt vinyl from various online retailers, such as eBay, The Vinyl Corporation, and Sign Vinyl and Digital Media. These suppliers offer a wide range of vinyl options, including different colours, finishes, and special effects such as glitter, metallic, and fluorescent vinyl.

The Vinyl Cutting Process

The first step in the vinyl cutting process is to create your design. This can be done by hand or by using a digital design program such as Adobe Illustrator. Once you have your design, you'll need to transfer the digital file to a vinyl cutter computer.

The vinyl cutter will then cut out your design from a sheet of vinyl. It's important to load the vinyl into the cutter correctly and to set the origin point of the blade near the bottom-right of the vinyl to minimise waste.

After the design has been cut out, you'll need to remove the excess vinyl, leaving only your design on the backing paper. This process is known as weeding, and it can be done using tools such as tweezers and a sharp knife.

Finally, you can apply the vinyl design to your T-shirt using a heat press. Make sure to set the heat press to the correct temperature and apply pressure for the recommended amount of time.

Care Instructions for Vinyl-Cut T-Shirts

To care for a T-shirt with a vinyl design, it's recommended to turn the garment inside out before washing. Machine wash using cold water and a mild detergent, and dry at a normal setting.

Heat transfer

To execute the heat transfer method, you will need a few key materials and tools:

• T-shirt: It is important to select a T-shirt made from the correct fabric, such as 100% cotton, 100% polyester, or a blend of these materials.
• Heat transfer vinyl: This is a special type of vinyl designed specifically for heat transfer applications. It comes in various colours and finishes, such as matte or glossy. You can purchase heat transfer vinyl online from websites like eBay, The Vinyl Corporation, or specialist websites like Signmakingandsupplies.co.uk.
• Heat source: A heat press machine is recommended for the best results. However, for smaller projects, a standard domestic iron may also work.
• Application tape: This tape is used to transfer the design from the vinyl to the T-shirt.
• Design: You will need to create or select a design that you want to transfer onto the T-shirt. This can be done using computer software or by hand.

Once you have gathered the necessary materials, follow these steps to execute the heat transfer process:

• Prepare your design: Ensure your design is in a mirror image format and printed on the correct type of paper, such as heat transfer paper.
• Cut and weed your vinyl: Use a vinyl cutter or a craft knife to carefully cut out your design from the heat transfer vinyl. Remove any unnecessary parts of the vinyl, leaving only your desired design.
• Apply application tape: Place the application tape over your design to create a transfer sheet. This will help you apply your design to the T-shirt smoothly.
• Prepare your T-shirt: Ensure your T-shirt is clean and free of any wrinkles or creases.
• Position your design: Place the transfer sheet onto the desired location on the T-shirt, taking care to centre it correctly.
• Apply heat: Use your heat press or iron to apply heat to the transfer sheet, following the recommended temperature and timing settings for your specific vinyl.
• Remove the application tape: Once the design has been transferred, slowly peel back the application tape to reveal your printed design.
• Allow it to cool: Let the T-shirt cool down completely before handling or wearing it.

By following these steps and using the correct materials, you can successfully utilise the heat transfer method to create custom T-shirts with your desired designs.

Bulk orders

If you are looking to buy t-shirt vinyl in bulk, there are several online stores that offer wholesale prices and a wide range of products. Here are some options to consider:

Amazon

Amazon offers a vast selection of t-shirt vinyl in bulk, with various colours, patterns, and bundles available. Some popular options include:

• HTV Heat Transfer Vinyl Bundle: This bundle includes 47 packs of 12" x 10" iron-on vinyl in 33 assorted colours, along with HTV accessories, tweezers, and a heat press machine.
• HTVRONT HTV Heat Transfer Vinyl: Available in white, this vinyl comes in rolls of 12" x 8ft, 12" x 15ft, or 12" x 20ft, and is compatible with all cutting machines.
• CAREGY HTV Heat Transfer Vinyl: This bundle includes 80 packs of 12" x 10" iron-on vinyl in 53 assorted colours, suitable for all cutter machines or heat press machines.
• XSEINO HTV Heat Transfer Vinyl: Perfect for Cricut, Silhouette Cameo, or heat press machines, this bundle includes 13 packs of 12"x10" iron-on vinyl in 9 assorted colours.

Aviva Wholesale

Aviva Wholesale offers wholesale and retail items for custom apparel businesses, including heat transfer vinyl. They carry a wide range of brands, such as Gildan, Bella Canvas, Laviva, LAT Apparel, Next Level, Silhouette, and Mimaki. Aviva Wholesale provides free shipping on orders over $99.

ShirtSpace

ShirtSpace is a great option for wholesale blank apparel suitable for heat transfer vinyl (HTV) projects. They offer a variety of styles and materials, including T-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, tank tops, and more. Some recommended T-shirt options for HTV include Bella+Canvas 3001C, Gildan G500, G500L, and G500B. ShirtSpace also provides free shipping on orders over $79.

AllDayShirts

AllDayShirts offers wholesale blank T-shirts from top brands such as Gildan, Bella + Canvas, Next Level, Hanes, Comfort Colors, Champion, and American Apparel. They have a wide range of styles, colours, and sizes to choose from, making it easy to find the perfect T-shirt for your project. AllDayShirts offers free shipping on orders over $55.

Frequently asked questions