DIY Kentucky Derby Can Koozie
A day at the races is most often accompanied by a drink or two, or three…or more (we won’t judge!) Luckily, your beverage can beat the Kentucky heat with a can koozie. No need to use a plain ol’ koozie when it only takes a few minutes to customize one. Keep reading to learn how!
Custom Koozie Supplies
- Foam Can Koozie (Here’s how to decorate Neoprene Can Koozies)
- EasyWeed® Heat Transfer Vinyl
- Craft Cutter (like the Cricut Explore Air)
- Siser Weeder
- Scissors
- Heat Press or Home Iron
- Heat Transfer Cover Sheet or Parchment Paper
How to Design a Can Koozie Cut File
I whipped up this fun saying in Cricut Design Space using the fonts (from top to bottom) Perpetua Titling, Spumante Bold, Rockwell Extra Bold, and NewsGoth. After typing each line I centered them by going to Align > Center Horizontally. In order to retain the alignment, attach or weld the text together.
When you’re satisfied with your design, make sure it will fit on your koozie by adjusting the size. I found a good standard size is typically 3″. Next, send the HTV through the cutter. If this is your first time working with heat transfer vinyl make sure you read How to Cut Siser HTV with the Cricut .
When the Cricut is finished, trim the design and weed out all the HTV that you won’t be applying.
How to Heat Press A Polyurethane Foam Can Koozie
Since I’m using EasyWeed, the press is set to 305°F. Want to use a different type of Siser HTV? Follow the time and temperature instructions on the Siser App for the HTV of your choice.
Don’t forget to adjust the pressure to account for the thick koozie material. You’ll know the pressure is too high if you have to force the top platen to lock down. Too much pressure can actually squish the adhesive out from under the HTV and pool along the sides. If you can see clear adhesive around your vinyl after pressing, it can lead to peeling so you’ll want to dial your pressure back.
Place the sticky side of the clear carrier face down for heat application.
Use the buttons to adjust your time and temperature. Manually adjust the pressure with the knob on top of the press.
After centering the HTV, cover it with parchment paper, and press the koozie for 10-15 seconds. If you’re using a home iron, put it on the Cotton setting and press for 15-20 seconds.
EasyWeed is a hot or cold peel, so if you press a koozie for yourself go ahead and peel the carrier immediately. However, if you’re making a whole bunch for your Derby crew you can peel the carriers cold so you don’t have to slow down your heat press flow.
And that’s all there is to it! A quick and easy craft to add a personal touch to your Derby experience. Like this post? Pin the image below to save it for later!
More of a wine drinker? We got you covered! Check out this DIY Wine Tote.
are you using Foam or Neoprene with your heat press for the koozies?
This is a foam koozie, but neoprene can be used as well!
How do you keep the vinyl from peeling off when wet? Summer and koozies mean pool time but my vinyl always comes clean off when the koozies are wet.
Hi Isabel! Consistent exposure to chlorine will eventually cause the HTV to become brittle and crack. However, if the heat transfer vinyl is peeling off then it likely needed more pressure during application. You can create a custom heat transfer pillow to fit inside a koozie or cut a mouse pad to size to create even pressure across the vinyl while applying it.
do you need the stretch easy weed for the koozie?
Hi Kellie! No, you can use regular EasyWeed® on koozies as well.
Can you use the holographic htv on neoprene coozies? I am struggling! Using an iron as I don’t have a heat press.
Hi Janet! Yes, Holographic can be applied to koozies, but since it’s a more rigid HTV it will not stretch with the neoprene. 320°F is the recommended temperature on a heat press, so you may need to use a setting higher than cotton on your iron if it’s available. Otherwise, you can press longer to make up for the lower temp. Remember though that Holographic is a cold peel. If you remove the plastic carrier before it’s cool, you’ll likely experience lifting HTV.
How well would this work on a black koozie with white letters? I am planning a party and reeeally want black koozies, but everywhere I have tried to order from is just SO expensive! I am probably in over my head but I thought about trying to make the koozies myself to save some money. Would the white look bad against the black? And does the fact that I’m using an iron versus a heat press make a difference?
Hi Laurel! White will stand out well on black. I’d suggest using EasyWeed® for best results with your home iron. The application process differs a little from heat press to home iron so I’d recommend watching this video. Also you may want to check out 24hourwristbands.com for koozies.
Go to CraftHTV.com – website in Jonesville, MI They have the neoprene koozies for $.45 cents each – very reasonable. They have a bunch of colors to choose from. I was in there today and bought 20 of all different colors. They are mostly online and he told me they always have them in stock
How long and temp do you press sublimated koozies for?
Hi Patricia! If the koozie did not come with reccomended application settings, please refer to the suggested settings from the sublimation paper or sublimation markers you’re using.
I am using stretch vinyl. I am doing 100. Can I still let cool with stretch vinyl? What temp on koozie.
Hi Sonyia! EasyWeed® Stretch is a hot or cold peel, so you can heat apply all your koozies and wait until the end to peel the final piece of plastic off. Heat application settings can be found on our website or app. For Stretch we recommend 320°F, 20 seconds, firm pressure when using a heat press.
Thank you for the detailed directions. I made mine using white easyweed. I put my coozie in a can, and it distorted my design. The htv is 100% applied, and it’s not peeling, just kind of puckering. Any ideas? I want to make more, but not if I’m going to give them to someone and they aren’t even going to last one use.
Hi Jill! Some designs will not stretch as well in standard EasyWeed®. I’d suggest using EasyWeed Stretch for future koozie projects.
hi Lily, does thermoflex work as well?
Hi Christine! Thermoflex is not a Siser® brand product, so I’d recommend reaching out to their manufacturer for the best advice.
When heat pressing the koozie, can you do more than one at a time? I have a 15×15 press, and that would be a huge time saver.
Absolutely, Christina! You can press as many at one time as you can fit on your heat press.
Can you press the Siser Metallics on a foam koozie? I’m worried about it not stretching once the can is in. I have a customer requesting gold metallic on a slim can koozie. Not sure the best way to go about it.
Hi Courtney! I would suggest using EasyWeed® Stretch gold on koozies for best results. Metal HTV can still be applied, but you may encounter wrinkling or cracking when the can is in the koozie.
What would your suggested temp be for Siser Glitter HTV on koozies
Thanks!
Hi Jen! Koozies will be fine with the standard temperature setting for the HTV you’re using. So for Glitter: 320°F.
Love the idea! Is there also a pattern for the Koozie?
thank you,
Sandy
Thanks Sandy! Unfortunately, I no longer have access to this cut file, and if you’re referring to a sewing pattern for the koozie- it was purchased from AlphaBroder but I bet there is a sewing pattern out there somewhere. Wish I could be of more help!
What about the old thick foam can koozie? can those be heat pressed? I fear it might melt?
Hi AJ! Do you have a product image or link that you’re referring to? That would help me advise you best. If something like this is what you mean, it will be difficult to get even pressure across the curved surface with a heat press. If you have one to test, I would suggest following these tips.
I am wanting to make a few koozies. I have EasyWeed Extra on hand from a previous project in the color I am wanting to use on the koozies. Would it work on the koozies? Or do I need to purchase regular easyweed or stretch?
Yes, Drenda! You can still use EasyWeed® Extra on koozies if that’s what you have on hand.
I am planning to make some Koozies for our annual family picnic this year. I’m looking at getting a bulk order of the can Koozies on amazon. Can I put vinyl on the Polyurethane Foam Koozies? I’ve done some neoprene but wasn’t sure if I could do the foam.
Yes, you can use Siser® HTV on neoprene or Polyurethane Foam koozies. I would suggest test pressing one of the koozies before decorating just to be sure they’re not heat sensitive.
What would be the temp for foil HTV on a neoprene koozie?
Hi Lindsey! The suggested application settings for Metal HTV can be found here. If you’re referring to EasyWeed® Adhesive and foil, the application settings can also be found on our website. Either will work on a neoprene koozie.
Can you use Siser Glitter on these koozies?
Hi Caitlin! Yes, you can use Siser Glitter HTV on can koozies. However, Glitter does not stretch very well, so I’d recommend breaking up your design or using Sparkle™ HTV for the best looking results when a can is inside the koozie.
how long and what temperature would you use for Polyurethane Foam koozie?
Hi Victoria! I’d base your time, temperature, and pressure on the type of Heat Transfer Vinyl you’re using. Application settings can be found on our website and app.
If you make a mistake after you’ve pressed your koozie – are you out of luck? Any tips to removing htv from the neoprene – to correct shifts in art or unweeded pieces?
Hi Jaime! This video shows our top 3 ways we recommend fixing Heat Transfer Vinyl mistakes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sv8a3wXTpQo&t=1s
Hope that helps :)
Can you layer two easy weed layers on a koozie?
You sure can, Roxi!
can you press vinyl on both sides of the koozie?
Absolutely!