How to apply HTV on Wood
Once you start using HTV you realize how much easier it is to work with than regular vinyl. I have been experimenting with using HTV on all sorts of projects. Recently, I discovered how to apply HTV on wood. Using regular vinyl on wood is a frustrating experience. Getting regular vinyl to stick to the wood when you pull the transfer tape off is difficult not to mention trying to smooth out bubbles. HTV seemed like an ideal solution.
HTV Works on Nearly Any Surface
Cricut has a handy interactive guide for HTV here. The guide indicated to set my Easy Press to 300 degrees for 40 seconds. It also recommended preheating the wood for 5 seconds. For my project, I had selected glitter HTV and foil HTV. Unfortunately, Cricut did not recommend foil for application on wood. I really had my heart set on using gold foil, so I threw caution to the wind and used it anyway.
Supplies
*Cricut Explore Air
*Cricut Design Space
Design Concept
I wanted to rework an old wood pallet sign I had from another project. Because I had previously stenciled on it, I needed to coat the entire piece with paint, Ceramacoat Ivory provided just the right coverage. I had my heart set on using gold foil Cricut HTV along with red and green glitter HTV. After cutting the design, I laid it out on the wood.
Lessons Learned
I can see why they do not recommend using HTV foil with wood. It was hard to get the foil to adhere and glue seeped out from behind the letters discoloring the paint around the letters. The foil also shrank up, which wasn’t a horrible thing. I think it gives the project a look similar to gold leaf. What do you think?
Where the glue seeped out from under the letters, I simply touched up the paint with a very fine paintbrush. While it didn’t turn exactly how I envisioned it, I am happy with the final product.
Don’t be afraid to experiment. It may not turn out exactly how you planned, but you may be pleasantly surprised.
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