Puff vinyl is a relative newcomer on the textile and design scene. Indeed, it’s set to revolutionise how people approach both textiles and design, providing an exciting new way of making your pieces really come alive. Puff vinyl has grown in popularity over the past years (in fact, it may have been around for longer than you think). It is a unique and versatile textile material that’s now making it into the designer (and hobbyist) toolkit. Because it is so useful, it has become a favourite of mine. If you’re new to the game, I’m sure you’ll love it as well. In this article, you’ll find everything there is to know about the exciting world of puff vinyl, from how it works, to how to apply it, to the costs to the best products.
Table of Contents:
– What is puff vinyl?
– How does puff vinyl work?
– How to use puff vinyl
– How much does puff vinyl cost?
– Top puff vinyl products
What is puff vinyl?
Puff vinyl, also known as 3D or Siser EasyWeed Foam, is a type of heat transfer vinyl that puffs up when heat pressed to add a three-dimensional look to garments and other textiles. Unlike normal HTV, puff-vinyl has a chemical makeup that reacts to heat by expanding to create a unique ‘pop’ in its texture that can dramatically up the visual and tactile appeal of any graphic being applied. It comes in multiple colours and finishes, providing a flexible palette from which designs can be created.
How does puff vinyl work?
Puff vinyl magic depends on the thermal expansion of the material. When you apply puff vinyl over a surface and transfer it between the heat press and the substrate, heat and pressure causes the product to rise. To make a project, you need to first cut your design into the puff vinyl with a vinyl cutter, weed the excess material, and then apply it between the heat press and the substrate. When you press this design into your substrate with heat and pressure activate the puffing reaction. The thicker the project and the ‘puffier’ it will be, depends on what puff vinyl you use and your heat press settings.
How to use puff vinyl
The use of puff vinyl is fairly easy and produces some amazing results. You start off with your design, cut it out on the puff vinyl with your vinyl cutter, remember you need to mirror your design before cutting. The reason being is that it will be a reverse image transfer. Cut, weed and put your design on your substrate. You can now pre-heat your substrate, remove the moisture and wrinkles out, place your design and press it with a heat press. The trick to getting it to puff is in the temperature and pressure suggested by the manufacturer of puff vinyl.
How much does puff vinyl cost?
The price of puff vinyl, typically, depends on the brand, colour, and the quantity bought. One sheet can cost from $3 to $7, while rolls from $30 to over $100, depending on the length and width, but keep in mind the difference in the quality of the puff vinyl and specific features like the bigger amount of puff or more colours, because some premium products available do have more features in their offer. Also, bulk purchases may help for frequent users to save some money or cost-cutting for big commercial operations.
Top puff vinyl products
When it comes to the best puff vinyl brands, we have to give it to Siser EasyWeed Foam, Chemica Fashion 3D and Stahls’ CAD-CUT® Puff. These brands offer top-notch quality, an array of colours and very easy-to-use, show-stopping results. There is also a safer, phthalate-free, eco-friendly option for those who would like to give back to the planet with their craft: Stahls’. These products come with different, very comprehensive and specific instructions to follow and recommended settings for use, which is why it is important that you familiarise yourself with these different brands and learn how to work with them before use.
Conclusion
Puff vinyl is a wonderful tool for designers and hobbyists to add dimension and texture to their projects. Its distinctive puffiness, ease of use and versatility have creators in the textile and design worlds excited about incorporating this newfound medium. Understanding this medium, how it works, how to apply it, and what products are available is the first step to getting started, and opening your designs to new artistic possibilities.
