Introduction: Custom Hat Using Heat Transfer Vinyl

By Hacker Lab
About: MADE, the latest innovation of its parent company Hacker Lab, is where dreams become a reality. For over a decade, Hacker Lab has supported countless individuals to “BUILD CODE UNITE”. At MADE, we live by the …

In this tutorial, we will be walking you through how to use Made Studio's hat heat press to customize a baseball cap with heat transfer vinyl.

Supplies

Tools used in this tutorial:

  • Cricut Maker 3
  • Cricut Sticky Mat
  • Laptop
  • Vinyl Weeding Tool
  • Vevor Hat Heat Press
  • Scissors

Materials used in this tutorial:

  • Heat Transfer Vinyl
  • Blank White Baseball Cap

Step 1: Download and Setup Cricut Design Space Software

Go to https://help.cricut.com/hc/en-us/articles/360009428814-Downloading-and-Installing-Design-Space to download Cricut Design Space.

Step 2: Open a New Project

Step 3: Click "Upload" in Your New Project Canvas

Step 4: Click "browse" and Select the Image That You Are Printing

TIP: This type of transfer does not work very well with thin, small, and fine details. Choose an image or design that is large, block, and easy to read.

Step 5: Select "Simple" After Uploading Image

Step 6: Use Selection Tool to Remove Background of Image

Step 7: Select "Cut Image" and Click Upload

Step 8: Select the Image and Click "Add to Canvas", Resize Image As Necessary

Step 9: Click "make It" in Top Right Corner

Step 10: Follow Steps As Instructed in Cricut Design Space

Step 11: Stick Heat Transfer Vinyl Onto Sticky Mat Shiny Side Down

Step 12: Load and Run Cut Program

TIP: Before unloading the mat, use a weeding tool to check if the vinyl cut all the way through.

Step 13: Cut Out the Section of the Vinyl Using Scissors

Step 14: Fold Baseball Cap Back and Place on Top of Hat Press Stand

Step 15: Preheat the Hat Press to 350 Farenheit

TIP: Use a temperature gun to confirm the temperature of the heat press, it may not always match the display.

Step 16: Place Vinyl Cut Out on to Hat

TIP: Use sublimation tape to secure edges of the vinyl down.

Step 17: Use Hat Press to Press for 5-8 Seconds

TIP: Rub the press back and forth on the hat to insure even heating. Apply as much pressure as possible.

Step 18: Let Hat Completely Cool Before Peeling Plastic Off

TIP: It is normal for some parts of the vinyl to lift up. Use a pair of tweezers to keep those piece in place while peeling.

Step 19: Cut Out Small Sheet of Parchment Paper and Place Over Hat

Step 20: Use the Press to Heat the Cap Again for 5-10 Seconds

Step 21: While Hat Is Still Warm, Use Fingers to Gently Press Vinyl Onto Hat to Secure

Step 22: Done!