Custom Totebag With HTVRONT Auto Heat Press (Beginner Friendly)

Greetings, lovely readers!

I am thrilled to embark on a new craft adventure and expand my creative horizons beyond paper and cardboard. Thanks to the generosity of HTVRONT, who graciously provided me with their remarkable HTVRONT Auto Heat Press, I now have the opportunity to dive headfirst into the captivating realm of Heat Transfer Vinyl. In this instructable, I will be guiding you through the process of utilizing the HTVRONT Auto Heat Press to embellish a delightful canvas tote bag.

Before we delve into the exciting world of HTV, let me disclose that this post is sponsored by HTVRONT. However, I assure you that all opinions shared here are entirely my own, as I am committed to providing genuine and unbiased insights.

Now, before we begin, it's important to note that the HTVRONT Auto Heat Press requires 1500 watts of power. Therefore, ensure that your household power supply meets or exceeds this requirement to avoid any inconveniences along the way.

Watch my unboxing video here

Supplies

In this project, I used:

Canvas totebag
Heat Transfer Vinyl
Cutting pen (you can use a cutting machine)
HTVRONT Auto Heat Press
Teflon Sheet

Step 1: Prepare the Design

I wanted to decorate my own canvas totebag with a simple design, thus I decided to use the heat transfer vinyl for this project. I measured the width of the design that I wanted on the totebag and adjusted the design accordingly. I added lettering to my canvas totebag "Makers Gonna Make" using Gold and Black Heat Transfer Vinyl. Since I didn't have a cutting machine, so I needed to print the design on a paper (don't forget to mirror/reverse the design). Then, I put the paper on the heat transfer vinyl to hand-cut it based on the design on the paper. This is quite tricky, so if you have a cutting machine, that would really help.

When cutting heat transfer vinyl, always make sure the heat transfer vinyl is shiny down when cutting.

Once it is all cut then you need to weed the design which is just removing the excess vinyl we don't want attaching to the totebag.

Step 2: Preheat the Totebag

Introducing the HTVRONT Auto Heat Press easy button and display:

Power button. Will blink after you plug the HTVRONT Auto Heat Press
Temperature button. To set the temperature (see "a" on display screen). Press long to change from default Fahrenheit to Celcius. Max Temperature: 410° F (210 °C)
Timer button. To set the timer (see "b" on display screen )
Plus button. To increase the temperature or timer
Minus button. To decrease the temperature or timer
R button. Wait until it turns to green light to start pressing(red light indicating that the HTVRONT Auto Heat Press still in the process of heating up to the desired temperature).

All we have to do is activate the device by engaging the power button. It will require approximately 6 minutes to reach the default temperature (210° F).

Take a moment to consult the guidelines provided with your HTV packaging to determine the appropriate temperature and duration for pressing the specific vinyl. Proceed to adjust these settings on the machine and allow it to reach the desired temperature.

For most HTV projects, it is advisable to briefly preheat the garment, enabling better adherence of the vinyl, iron out any wrinkles and eliminating any moisture within the fabric. For my totebag, I adjust the temperature to 305° F and the timer was 5 seconds.

Pull the handle on the HTVRONT Auto Heat Press and slide out the tray with the heat pad on it. Set the canvas totebag on the pad, making sure it is laying flat. You can use a lint roller to eliminate any lint, and then smoothly insert the mat before pressing the green R button. Subsequently, the HTVRONT Auto Heat Press will automatically apply pressure to the heating pad, following the pre-set temperature and duration. When the time is up, it will also automatically lift up the press! It's so easy and effortless!

Step 3: Press the Vinyl

Now that the totebag has been warmed up, it's time to introduce the design! Gently press the vinyl down, cover them with the Teflon sheet, and glide them into the press. Once the correct temperature and duration specified on your HTV package have been set (I used 305° F and adjust the timer to 15 seconds), press the start button and allow the magic to unfold!

Next, you should refer to your instructions to determine whether a warm or cold peel is recommended. In the case of a cold peel, wait for the vinyl to cool for a minimum of 30 seconds before delicately removing the carrier sheet. Voila! It looks splendid!

When it comes to storing the HTVRONT Auto Heat Press, simply insert the mat back in and power down and also unplug the machine when not in use.

Step 4: My Experience

As a beginner in Heat Press world, I must say, I was truly astounded by the astonishing ease with which I set up and operated the HTVRONT Auto Heat Press. It was as if I plucked it straight out of the box, plugged it in, and voila! My first project came to life! Very beginner friendly!

Anticipating the creation of more projects in the near future, I can't help but share a few initial impressions:

🌟Incredible value for the price: Remarkably priced at less than $300 USD, this automated heat press offers an affordable solution for both passionate crafters and enterprising small business owners.

🌟Unquestionable craftsmanship: The machine itself exudes a robust construction, boasting top-notch materials. Not a single tremor can be detected, and the slide-out arm glides seamlessly and locks firmly into place.

🌟Expansive heating surface: With its generous 15" x 15" heating plate, this press is more than capable of accommodating heat-transfer vinyl designs, regardless of their size.

🌟Limitless versatility: The inclusion of two customizable modes for adjusting temperature and duration enables you to fine-tune the press's settings to match any heat transfer vinyl application with absolute precision.

🌟Unparalleled safety: The pull-out drawer design, instead of the conventional lift-up arm, mitigates the risk of burns to an exceptional degree, ensuring a secure and worry-free operation.

🌟Consistent pressure: No need to remain standing, exert force, experience slippage, or encounter irregular heating!

The downside of HTVRONT Auto Heat Press

📌Constrained material thickness: The HTVRONT Auto Heat Press is ingeniously engineered to accommodate materials with a maximum thickness of 2.5cm/1 inch. Therefore, if you have aspirations of working with thicker substances like wood for pressing purposes, regrettably, this machine will not possess the capability to oblige.

📌Unchangeable pressure: Regrettably, altering the pressure setting is not an option. The HTVRONT Auto Heat Press possesses an automated pressure adjustment feature that adapts according to the thickness of the material being pressed. This may prove disadvantageous, as iron-on materials do not possess uniform characteristics, necessitating varying degrees of pressure at times.