Printing heat transfer paper is one of those things that you just can’t live without in your life, especially if you are into graphic design or the printing business. It has become an essential part of any printer’s toolkit as it allows us to create amazing designs on our favorite fabrics such as T-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, etc. The process involves transferring images from specially designed papers onto fabric using heat and pressure. This method is also known as direct thermal printing because there is no need to apply anything like toner or ink directly onto the surface of the material. In this post, we’ll be discussing some of the top 10 Best Printable Heat Transfer Paper available today.
Our Top Pick:
Best Printable Heat Transfer Paper- Buying Guide
1. AVERY Printable Heat Transfer Paper
If you want to engage in the t-shirt printing field, you require the right t-shirt transfer paper which will allow you to get high-resolution prints with vibrant colors. Avery Heat transfer paper offers its customers a wide range of products including personalized t-shirts, pillowcases, hats, face masks, aprons, bags, tank tops, and more.
This product comes in 8.5 inches by 11 inches size. You can choose between three different types of transfers: matte finish, glossy finish, and metallic finish. It’s also ideal in dark and black color, which is 100% cotton.
The price of this item is also attractive. If you’re looking for something affordable yet effective, then this might be what you’ve been searching for!
Features
- Customizable
You can easily format and customize these items according to your needs. All you have to do is upload your own artwork files and select the desired layout.
- Easy to Use
It only takes about five minutes to complete all the steps required to make your custom printed apparel. Just follow the instructions carefully and you won’t go wrong.
- High-Resolution Printing
Avery Printable Heat Transfer Paper provides excellent results when used with their compatible inkjet printers. They offer both photo-quality and screen-printing options so you don’t have to worry about getting low-resolution prints.
Pros
- Affordable
- compatible with inkjet printers
- Easy to use
- High-quality printing
Cons
- Durability is questionable
2. Silhouette America Heat-Print-DK
Silhouette Heat-Print DK is another great option for people who love designing their own clothing but lack experience in doing so. With this product, you can simply cut out shapes from plain white sheets of paper and place them over your chosen image. Then, press down firmly until they stick together. Afterward, remove the backing sheet and iron the transferred shape onto your garment.
What’s more? Five 8.5×11 inch sizes are offered at reasonable prices. These include regular, light gray, medium gray, dark gray, and black. So, whether you prefer pastel shades or bold hues, you can find exactly what you need here.
Features
- Smooth and matte surface
It doesn’t leave behind any residue after being applied. So, you don’t have to wash off the excess ink before applying it to your garments.
- Easy to use
With this product, you don’t even have to know how to draw or paint since everything is done automatically for you. Simply pick up the template provided and start cutting out the pieces you desire.
- Adheres to most fabrics
Unlike other brands, Silhouette Heat-Transfer does not fade away once exposed to sunlight. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about fading while wearing your new clothes.
Pros
- Perfect for beginners
- Great value for money
- Easy to apply
- Appears vibrant after applied
Cons
- Color fades faster
3. Cricut Printable Vinyl
Made by Cricut, this vinyl is perfect for creating customized gifts, home decor, party favors, and much more. Its main advantage lies in its ability to produce sharp and vivid images. Moreover, it features a smooth surface that makes it easy to adhere to almost every type of fabric. it works well with many kinds of materials including leather, canvas, plastic, wood, glass, metal, ceramic, stone, and marble.
Cricut Printable Vinyl is sold in 8.5 inches x 11 inches dimensions. There are four different styles available; each having a distinct look and feel. Choose among Matte Finish, Glossy Finish, Metallic Finish, and Black & White. Each style includes two layers of adhesive tape. When choosing the correct combination, you should consider the kind of project you plan to work on.
Features
- Versatile
Can be used with print and inkjet printers, meaning it’s suitable for various projects.
- Customizable
Choose from six pre-designed templates or create your own patterns.
- Easily removable
Simply peel back the protective layer and pull out the patterned piece.
- Long-lasting
Once removed, the pattern remains intact for years.
Pros
- Excellent durability
- Creates beautiful effects
- Simple to use
- Excellent adhesion properties
Cons
- Not suitable for large scale projects
- Doesn’t last long
4. EK Success Brands Jolee’s Boutique Transfer Paper
This is tailored for employing colored fabrics such as cotton, polyester, linen, silk, rayon, etc. It comes in a pack of 5 sheets which measures 8.5″ X 11″. The ironing temperature ranges between 150°F – 300°F. This product has been tested and approved by professionals. You will get high-resolution prints without compromising on color accuracy.
Jolee’s Boutique offers a wide range of products like clothing accessories, bags, shoes, jewelry, stationery items, gift wrap, greeting cards, scrapbooking supplies, craft kits, and so forth. They also offer free shipping worldwide.
Features
- Compatibility
Works with different inkjet printers, making it compatible with personal and commercial grade machines.
- Smooth Surface
Allows the design to remain visible when transferred onto any material.
- Removable Layer
You can easily remove the backing sheet before transferring designs.
- Sturdy Construction
It provides excellent resistance against tearing and peeling off during the printing process.
Pros
- High-Quality printing results
- Suitable for any occasion
- Good value for money
- Smooth finish
Cons
- Not machine washable
5. Silhouette Heat-Print-LT Heat Transfer Paper
With their latest release, Silhouette has introduced a new line of heat-print-LT papers designed specifically for lightweight fabrics. These papers allow you to cut intricate shapes using your favorite cutter while maintaining crisp edges. With this set of papers, you can make custom fabric pieces that would otherwise require sewing.
Silhouette heat-Print LT materials come in packs of 10 sheets and are made up of three parts: the base film, the image carrier, and the adhesive. All these components are easy to apply together. Simply follow the instructions provided in the package. Once applied, they dry quickly and stay put even after washing.
Features
- Printable material
You can use it to decorate clothes, home décor, gifts, crafts, and more!
- Easy application
Just place them over the desired area and let them dry. No need to sew anything.
- Durable
They’re durable enough to withstand repeated washes.
Pros
- Machine Washable
- Prolongs life span
- These papers don’t fade away very fast.
- Compatible with most fabrics
Cons
- Print isn’t long-lasting
6. PPD Inkjet PREMIUM Transfers Paper
If you want to create customized apparel at a low cost then look no further than PPD Inks. Their premium brand of inkjet transfers provides professional-looking images on dark garments. Made from 100% recycled fibers, these papers are suitable for almost every type of garment including denim, corduroy, flannel, wool, leather, suede, canvas, twill, knitwear, and much more.
Their premium branded inkjet transfers are available in 8.5×1 inches, which come in 50 sheets pack. To ensure maximum durability, each sheet is laminated twice. So, if you order just one sheet, you’ll receive two laminates. If you buy multiple sheets, you’ll get four or five laminates per sheet.
Features
- Compatibility
This product works well with different kinds of inkjet printers. It comes with a clear plastic cover to protect the surface.
- Fully Washable
Wash as many times as needed without damaging the printed pattern. You can also iron directly over the prints.
- Stretchable
Made from high-grade polyester fiber, so you won’t feel like wearing tight clothing once you wear it out.
- Long-Lasting
Once dried, these papers last longer than other brands. This means less frequent replacement.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Cutting and printer compatibility
- Machine washable prints
- Durable prints
Cons
- Expensive
- Color loss in print
7. Neenah Techni-Print EZP Coldenhove Heat Transfer Paper
Neenah Techni-Print EZP has been producing superior thermal printing products for several years nows. They offer a wide range of products such as labels, decals, stickers, tags, gift wrap, etc. The company offers both standard and specialty items.
For example, they produce specialty packaging for the food industry, medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, personal care, household goods, automotive, electronics, toys, sporting equipment, office supplies, stationery, etc.
With their new line of coldenhove technology, they have introduced a new kind of heat transfer paper that will help you make your own custom designs. These papers work great with all types of printers. They are compatible with any color lasers, inkjets, and dye-sublimated printers.
Features
- Easy to Use
Just peel off the protective liner and press onto the fabric. Then cut around the design using scissors. After cutting, remove the backing paper by peeling it back. Press the image into place. Remove the remaining backing paper when dry.
- Durability
Once applied, this material does not fade easily. It’s easy to apply and maintain. And because it doesn’t contain dyes, there is no fading after washing.
- Quality Printing
Prints are sharp and vibrant. Colors stay true even after repeated washes. There is minimal bleeding between colors.
- Compatibility
Works with most common home/office printers. Also, it works with some commercial printers too.
Pros
- Great Value
- Customizable Designs
- No Bleeding Between Colours
- Longer Wear Time
Cons
- Pricey
8. Silhouette Blue Glitter Transfer Paper
Silhouette makes amazing tools for crafting. Their machines allow you to create beautiful artworks on various materials including wood, metal, glass, ceramic, leather, canvas, vinyl, cardboard, foam board, chipboard, corrugate, and more! In addition to making crafts, you can also use them to decorate gifts, cards, scrapbooks, calendars, posters, banners, signs, wall murals, and much more.
This product comes in 8.5×11 inches size with a magnetic sheet, which allows you to stick the finished artwork anywhere you want.
It features a matte finish that provides excellent adhesion and durability. Once applied, it stays put through multiple applications.
Features
- Easy To Apply
Simply peel away the protective liner from the adhesive side of the magnet paper. Peel the backing paper off once done applying. Place the printed piece where desired. Stick the magnets over the area where you would like to adhere to the item. You may choose to leave the magnets attached permanently or detach them later.
- Long-Lasting
After being removed from the surface, the images remain intact without fading or smearing. This means that you don’t need to worry about reapplying the prints again and again.
- Quality print
High-resolution prints come out crisp and clear. Images look bright and vivid. Color tones appear natural.
Pros
- Great value
- Customizable Design
- No Fading
- Stays Put Through Multiple Applications
- Lasts long
Cons
- Not very strong
9. EK Success Brands Jolee’s Boutique Transfer Paper
Jolee’s boutique is one of the leading manufacturers of iron-on transfers. They provide high-quality products at affordable prices. The company has been providing customers with great customer service since its inception.
The amazing thing about these transfer papers is that they work well on white fabrics as well as colored ones. So if your project calls for both whites and color, then go ahead and buy this product.
You will get two sheets per pack: 1) A nonstick release liner; 2) An adhesive layer both sizes 9 x 0.08 x 12 inches.
This iron-on has a smooth application process. Simply place the image face down onto the fabric and press firmly using a hot iron. Then remove the paper carefully by peeling back the release liner.
They feature a glossy coating that helps prevent any unwanted marks while transferring designs. This iron-on do not bleed when used on lightweight fabrics such as cotton. However, they tend to run slightly on heavier weights.
Features
- Nonstick Release Liner
Allows easy removal after printing
- Adhesive Layer
Sizes 9″ X 0.08″ X 12″, Adheres securely to most surfaces
- Glossy Coating
Prevents bleeding and prevents unwanted marks
Pros
- Quick and Simple Application
- Works well on lightweight fabric and heavyweight ones
- Top-notch print
- Affordable
Cons
- Slightly heavier than other options
- Limited to use on white fabric
10. Transfer Magic Transfer Paper
Appropriate for use with bubble jet printers and inkjets, this transfer paper can also be used with thermal fax machines. It works perfectly on all types of materials including polyester, nylon, silk, satin, rayon, denim, leather, vinyl, canvas, etc.
Transfer magic offers a wide range of colors so there are no limitations regarding what kind of design you can create. In addition, this product does not require special equipment to apply. All you need is a standard printer and some patience.
This product comes in packs of 8 pieces. Each sheet measures approximately 8.25 x 11 inches. There is enough space left between each individual design which makes it easier to align multiple designs.
Features
- Matte finish
This product features a matte finish which allows the transferred designs to stay put even through repeated applications. Moreover, it doesn’t fade easily.
- Easy to Use
It takes only minutes to complete the entire procedure. You don’t need to spend hours trying to figure out how to make things right. This product requires just a few simple steps to achieve excellent results.
- Quality Guarantee
All items sold from TransferMagic are guaranteed to meet or exceed their advertised specifications. If anything goes wrong with your order, simply contact them via email within 30 days of receiving your package.
Pros
- You can use bubble jet printers or inkjet
- Relatively affordable
- You can use it to print a variety of products
- High-quality for the value
Cons
- Not suitable for screen printing
Features to Consider When Choosing the Best Printable Heat Transfer Paper
If you’re purchasing printable heat transfer paper for the first time, then here’s a list of factors you should take into consideration:
Size
The size of the printed area will depend on the type of material being used. For example, if you want to print on T-shirts, then choose a larger-sized item. On the contrary, if you plan to print on jeans, then go for smaller sizes because these are more durable.
Opacity
When selecting the opacity level, keep in mind that darker shades may appear lighter because they absorb less light. Therefore, opt for brighter hues instead.
Coverage
Choose a high coverage option since it ensures that every inch of the surface gets covered by the design. A low coverage option might leave parts uncovered.
Color Palette
Selecting a color palette is important especially if you have limited funds. Choose one that has a large number of choices. The more options available, the better.
Durability
Select a product that guarantees durability. Some papers tend to tear after several uses while others last longer than expected. Make sure to check the warranty before buying.
Price
Prices vary depending on the brand and model. However, most brands offer discounts during certain seasons. Check online retailers’ websites to find the latest deals.
Availability
Make sure to buy from reputable sellers who sell genuine products. Also, look at feedback posted by previous customers. They’ll give you valuable insights into the pros and cons associated with different types of products.
Conclusion
There are many ways to get creative using the best printable heat transfer paper but remember that you shouldn’t compromise on quality. It’s always advisable to start small and work up until you reach perfection. Once you’ve mastered the art of transferring images onto various surfaces, you won’t ever feel like giving up.