Fiberglass vs Puff HTV: Which Material is Better
Which One Should You Choose For Your Next DIY Project
HTV, or heat transfer vinyl, is a product that can be used to create custom graphics for many different purposes. There are two main types of HTVs: puff htv and fiberglass HTV. Puff HTV has an adhesive backing which allows it to stick to the surface being printed on without any additional adhesives needed. Fiberglass HTV requires an applicator to apply pressure in order for it adhere properly. Which material should you use?
Another difference between fiberglass and puff HTVs is the thickness. Fiberglass tends to be thinner than puff, but it can also stretch more while maintaining its shape. Puff HTV has a thicker layer of vinyl that will hold up better over time without stretching or wearing down at all. For most applications these differences are negligible which makes either material perfectly suitable for printing on textiles with an inkjet printer.
Also, puff HTV can be cut with a laser cutter to create intricate designs and shapes that would not be possible using the fiberglass material.
Fiberglass is similar to puff in many ways, but it has some distinct advantages when used for printing on textiles. It does stretch slightly more than the other variety which means you need to make sure your design fits properly before cutting or lasing; otherwise there may be tears along the edges of where each piece was sewn together. Fiberglass also tends to have a shinier surface after being adhered onto fabric instead of just staying flat like most standard inkjet prints do. That shiny finish might look good if you’re going for an almost metallic appearance, but it’s usually something people want to avoid.
Finally, the thickness of fiberglass HTV is a great benefit for this type. It can be used on fabrics that are thicker without any additional measures needing to be taken beforehand. The material being printed onto doesn’t have to have a certain weight or thickness in order for it to work properly because the vinyl itself will conform well enough so all designs come out looking seamless and polished afterward. Puff HTV does not stretch as much which means thinner pieces may show through where you’ve sewn seams together if they aren’t thick enough before printing takes place. For most applications these differences are negligible which makes either material perfectly suitable for printing on textiles with an inkjet printer.