Do you like to cut and weed several designs at once? If you do, you’ll know that the heat transfer vinyl (HTV) carrier sheet picks up hair, lint, and dust if you leave it exposed. I used to put a piece of wax paper or freezer paper over the design to keep it clean before pressing. The problem with this method is that I still had to find a place to put the design so that it wouldn’t get crinkled or damaged. Then, I picked up this tip on the internet ages ago: Use a binder and page protectors to temporarily store your designs that are waiting to be pressed! You just weed your design and stick it the the outside of the page protector! Genius, right? I’ve found it timesaving when creating items, especially if I am working on cutting layers for a project that I may not finish on the same day.
Supplies:
A binder – any old binder will do. If your designs are larger than a standard 3 ring binder, consider picking up a legal sized binder (8.5″ by 14″ or even 11″ by 17″) on Amazon.com.
Page protectors or tabbed dividers. Again, if you are using a legal sized binder, you can order legal sized page protectors on Amazon.com.
Here’s a quick peek at my binder:
How do you store your HTV designs while you are waiting to press them? Let me know in the comments, then share this post to Pinterest:
About the storing of HTV article… You stick the HTV designs that are waiting to be pressed to the outside of the of the of the page protectors, right?
Correct! Works great!
Welp this is pretty genius! I just ordered some sleeves. I am going to use these in one of the scrapbook paper storage things I bought from Hobby Lobby. I’ve been trying to figure out a way that I could have things pre-weeded and ready for pressing. Thank you so much!
Awesome! Glad you found it helpful!
This rejuvenates my passion again! I hated cutting ahead of time because of the hair and lint!! I love this idea!! Thank you!
Awesome Eboney! I love to cut ahead of time! Christine
Hi Christine… I love this idea, definitely makes cutting ahead easy. I have another question regarding HTV. Do you have any suggestions for mailing/shipping the HTV designs on their own….especially those that are more than one color? I’ve read about using parchment paper or wax paper, but I’m at a loss as to how to put it all together. And any tips on keeping prints off of them?
Thank You!
Yes, parchment paper over wax paper. Wax paper melts if it gets hot. 🙂
I gotta ask…why do you not put the cut out into the page protector? I have not cut any yet I am still waiting on my order to arrive.
The transfer sheet of a heat transfer vinyl design is sticky. It is a hassle to get it in and out – so it’s just easier to stick it to the outside.
I like this idea too! The way I store pre cut designs, especially if I have several of one design, is after I apply the transfer sheet I don’t remove it and the decal from the vinyl backing and just slip it down inside the page protector. I may also add a couple pieces of painters tape to on the sides of the transfer tape and fold it over onto the decal backing page if I feel like it may start to separate. This way I can have several of one design and use less page protectors. Thanks for your great ideas!
Happy to share!
Do I store regular Oracle 651 vinyl the same way?
I generally buy in rolls and store it rolled.
Great Idea! Could you use freezer paper to place on back to store or mail?
Yes, freezer paper or parchment paper both work well. Steer clear of using wax paper.
I love this idea! Thank you!!
Happy to share, Renee!
Will the waxiness of the freezer paper and waxed paper have any effect on the vinyl and cause it to not iron on as well? Also, does it peel off well from the parchment paper and page protectors?
I’ve never had an issue with freezer or waxed paper due to waxiness. However, if you stored your designs somewhere warm (like a garage or attic) you could have an issue. Yes, the design peels offs quickly and easily.
This is awesome advise. Im starting and online boutique and was worried about t-shirt inventory. I’ve been trying to figure out how to precut my t-shirt designs and store Them.Now, instead of making a bunch of t-shirts ahead of time I can just press on demand! Saves time and money! Thank you so much for sharing!
Great, glad it was helpful!