Heat Transfer Vinyl on Burlap Tutorial: The Easiest Way Do It!

It's that time of a year when when burlap becomes a popular choice for crafters!  Question is what type of vinyl is best for burlap?

When it comes to burlap - and I work with it a lot - the easiest way to put vinyl designs on burlap is with heat transfer vinyl and a heat press.

How to Put Heat Transfer Vinyl on Burlap

Not having a heat press is NOT a deal breaker...but you do need heat transfer vinyl and I'm stickin' to it. 

Go ahead and cut your HTV design like your normally would. Don't forget to mirror your design in Silhouette Studio. If you need an HTV refresher, check out the Silhouette 101 tutorial here.

While it's cutting heat up your iron or heat press according to the HTV manufacturer's directions (usually between 305-325 degrees).  You need a lot of heat and a lot of pressure which is why a heat press is ideal.  If you're using an iron, try to either iron on a small portable, collapsible board on the floor or put something firm under the ironing board cover so you can really get a nice firm base.

Press your piece of burlap so it's nice and flat.

(Optional step) Fold your burlap piece in half to find the exact center and press again.

I was working with a 12x18" burlap garden flag.  Put your heat transfer vinyl onto the burlap exactly where you want it to be.

If you are working with an iron put a thin sheet or cloth between the iron and the HTV and press down really hard for one minute not moving the iron while your press.  If the iron isn't large enough to cover the entire design, repeat in another section until the entire design has been pressed onto the burlap.  If you have a heat press keep it closed on your burlap and HTV for about 20 seconds.

When you remove the burlap from the heat peel up the HTV carrier sheet carefully.  Now put the Teflon sheet or cloth sheet  back over the HTV and press again for another 20-30 seconds.

Finally flip the burlap over or inside out (if you're working on a pillow) and press from the backside to really pull the HTV adhesive into the burlap. You are looking for the burlap to sort of melt into the fibers of the burlap as you can see what done here.

There's no need to seal the burlap or the HTV.

That's it!

I was so excited about the burlap flag, I also slapped some HTV on this blank burlap pillow cover.

So the key to putting HTV on burlap is a high pressure and heat between 305-325...and if you can, a good heat press!  Check out my handy dandy guide to figuring out if a heat press is worth the investment for you!

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Thanks for coming to class today at Silhouette School.  If you like what you see, I'd love for you to pin it!