EasyWeed Stretch: Not Just for Performance Wear?
If you have asked this question, or even thought about asking it, don’t worry you’re not alone! The name EasyWeed Stretch can cause you to correlate the HTV with only “stretchy” fabrics, like Lycra or Spandex. I am here to tell you that this notion isn’t true!
Let me use this terrible example of how sometimes product names can be deceiving:
Duct Tape.
Am I right?! Has anyone honestly used Duct Tape strictly for ducts? Don’t lie… I can say a majority of my “fix it” projects around my house are remedied with Duct Tape. Stuff similar to this:
Technically, these are just examples I found on the internet (cool hat, cat!), but you get the idea- ZERO DUCTS! This sort of applies with EasyWeed Stretch. Not everything you apply Stretch to needs to actually be stretchy.
Ok, ok…you caught me. I cater more towards performance wear with our application video for EasyWeed Stretch.…. but let’s go beyond that!
EasyWeed™ Stretch is one of seven in the EasyWeed family. It is the thinnest of the entire group of heat transfer vinyl. It closely compares to the standard EasyWeed, but has a softer feel and a matte finish. Stretch also shares some advantages of the other family members: Pressure Sensitive Carrier, Hot/Cold Peel, Layerable, etc.
Since I’ve joined up with Siser NA, I have customized quite a few of my own t-shirts and I noticed that most of the time I gravitate toward EasyWeed™ Stretch for my designs. Whether it’s the soft feel or maybe the “screen print” look of the matte finish, it’s the Siser HTV I default to. I personally, have a bias towards cotton fabric. 85% of my wardrobe is cotton t-shirts involving a band logo or a movie reference. I am a man of simplicity and comfort, and EasyWeed Stretch compliments my lifestyle nicely.
As for the fabrics we recommend EasyWeed Stretch on, they are: 100% Cotton, 100% Uncoated Polyester, Poly/Cotton Blends, Lycra®/Spandex, and Leather. That leaves you with a plethora of decorating options with Stretch.
Here’s some examples of possibilities with EasyWeed Stretch HTV:
It is rather common to look past EasyWeed Stretch because our regular EasyWeed offers a wider variety of color options. However, if you’re looking to achieve the most lightweight and softest feel out of all of our heat transfer vinyl options, you’re going to want to try out EasyWeed Stretch!
Now for the gratuitous selfie photo with the EasyWeed Stretch Pizza Box page and Stretch Armstrong. #Because
If you have any questions about this post, please feel free to leave them in the comment section or contact us at info@siserna.com
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Hi Joe:
We are introducing a t shirt company and want to consider using your easy weed stretch.
Can you recommend any companies (preferably) in Northern NJ or NYC vicinity that can do the vinyl cutting of our designs that we provide? We do not want to initially invest in the vinyl cutting equipment, but would prefer to test out your product to see if our customers would like.
Hopefully, you have some recommendations.
Thank you
Hi Bobby! Thanks for your interest in Siser® HTV. Please email Joe directly at Joseph.Piazza@SiserNA.com to discuss your business and recommendations.
Has there been any issues with the Easyweed Stretch peeling off of the garments?
Hi Jennifer! Typically, if EasyWeed® Stretch peels from a shirt it’s due to not enough pressure during the application process. This video explains how to adjust your pressure and use heat transfer pillows for best results. Since Stretch is so thin, it requires firm pressure. Additionally, you’ll want to avoid liquid fabric softeners but that goes for all HTV.
how can you tell the difference between the stretch and the regular iron on when it is still on the roll?
Hi Robin! If you can separate a bit of the HTV from the the carrier and pull on it, you’ll notice that EasyWeed® Stretch has noticeably more give and rebound than regular EasyWeed®.
Can I use Siser EasyWeed Stretch on a silicone swim cap? If not, what do you recommend and what would be the application technique?
Thank you!
Hi Leanna! Chlorine shortens the longevity of HTV, causing it to become brittle and crack. To decorate swim caps with the best results, I’d suggest looking into screen-printing inks.
Is this good for towels?
Hi Krista! If the towel is a spandex blend, then EasyWeed® Stretch would be a good choice. For terry cloth and other high pile towels, I’d suggest sticking with standard EasyWeed® or another thicker HTV. On a towel with fluffy fibers, it can be difficult to apply the proper amount of firm pressure Stretch needs to stick properly.
Can you layer stretch over itself? Say I cutout a shape then layer the other colors over the original shape?
Hi Paul! Yes, you can layer EasyWeed® Stretch with itself and other EasyWeed products like Electric and Extra.
Hi guys! What temperature do you use for the stretch vinyl on 100% ring spun cotton. I did the recommended 305 degrees with the cricut easy press 2 for 15 seconds with really firm pressure and all of the letters peeled off after washing inside out with no fabric softener. :( A friend told me they do 350 on their heat press for 8-10 seconds and it didn’t peel. Do you use a higher temp when the shirt is all cotton? I also have a traditional heat press and am wondering if I should try the 350 degrees?
Hi Crystal! Sorry you’re having troubles! For Siser® HTV and a heat press we recommend- Temp: 305°F, Pressure: Firm, Time: 10-15 seconds. With a Cricut EasyPress, Siser products perform best with a higher temperature- Temp: 335°F, Pressure: Firm, Time: 10-15 seconds. It is rare that we recommend pressing above 320°F because the HTV can become dry and brittle if over-pressed. Hope this helps!
Hi,
I have a Geo knight air operated heat press. What psi should I press the easyweed stretch with? Thank you for replying!
Hi Chris! We recommend using firm pressure for EasyWeed® Stretch HTV which is considered to be anywhere between 7-9 bars of pressure or 70-90 PSI.
Hi regular easyweed is getting wrinkled on my hoodies that shrink about 5% after being washed. Will easyweed strech fix this problem?
Hi Elvin! Pre-pressing garments for 3-5 seconds before applying HTV will pre-shrink the garment slightly and help avoid future wrinkling. Additionally, you can always re-press the wrinkled HTV (with a cover sheet on top) for 1-5 seconds to smooth it out again.
I have some poly/spandex blend face masks that I want to decorate. Should I use regular easy weed or the stretch easy weed?
Hi Renee! EasyWeed® Stretch will work best on poly/spandex blend face masks.
Hello, would the easy weed stretch work for a denim jacket?
Would there be any trouble with it being able to stick to the material?
Hi Brianna! As long as you’re able to apply firm pressure on EasyWeed® Stretch (you may need the help of a heat transfer pillow or folded towel if you’re applying near a seam or stitching) it should stick to denim as denim is made primarily of cotton.
Hi, can you use EasyWeed Stretch on Rayon material? The specific shirt I’m considering is 95% Rayon, 5% Spandex.
You sure can, Stephanie!
I have gotten so many different answers for my question that I can’t tell which one is correct…
What is the temperature and length of pressing to put stretch on.
Hi Jason! Our settings for EasyWeed® Stretch are 320°F, firm pressure, 20 seconds, and peel carrier hot or cold.