Tacky Tape (special 'paper' used for
heat transfers, order at $ 5.00 per yard)
Tweezers than can handle whatever size
rhinestones you plan to use
An understanding of the following
instructions...if you have questions, do not proceed until you have answers
from us. Better to make a call than to make a mess.
Choose your word, picture, etc. The minimum letter height should be
3/4", Best letters are produced when the letters are at least 1"
in height. If you are planning on placing this on a Tee-shirt or tank top,
keep in mind the maximum width you can use...usually in the range of 9"
or so. Phrases may have to be in more than one line. This should present no
problem with most applications.
Go to your computer, choose a simple font, especially if the letters are
to be small. The more fancy the font, the harder it will be to read the
transfer unless you plan on placing your stones against each other. Even
then, some scripts become very hard to decipher. To get a big enough font,
it may be necessary to use a graphics program, such as Corel or
Adobe...whatever you are used to. But, in general, MS Word has a maximum
font size of 72, and that will not be big enough in most cases.
Either print out your word, picture, or phrase on CHEAP, 20 lb paper
OR if in a graphics program, flip the transfer image to get a MIRROR
image (easier than printing the word as it should appear) if you have the
ability to do so.
IF your image is right side up (reads as you want the final to read), turn
the paper over and place on a glass-top table. If you have reversed
the image in the computer, you will not need to do this. (you will be making
the transfer 'up-side-down', therefore, it MUST BE REVERSED by one method or
another.
Dump your Heat Fix Rhinestones into a saucer. IF you are using more
than one size, color, or combinations, use separate saucers for each.
Cut a piece of transfer paper (Tacky Tape...designed for production of
rhinestone and nail head heat transfers, sold by the yard, 12 1/2"
wide, $5.00 per yard) about 1" bigger in all 4 directions than the
image will be. (if the word, image, etc. is 4" X 6", then
cut transfer paper 6" X 8") Do not remove the backing paper before
cutting...you will have a mess. You need tacky tape for this
project...don't even thing about using cellophane tape!!)
Tape the image to a working surface (Cellophane or masking tape...just to
hold image in place.). IF you used the 'right side up-cheap printing paper'
method, tape to a glass top table and place a light under the table so that
you clearly can see the image. IF you used the reversed method in a
graphics program, tape to any working surface right side up.
Remove the backing from the Transfer Paper (Tacky Tape) and set
aside in a safe place...do not discard this backing. (Backing is
usually white paper with a shiny side, or may be a translucent waffle
backing). Place the clear transfer tape STICKY SIDE UP, centered over
image and affix with a small amount of tape (cellophane or masking tape)
over each corner...do not affix too well, for you will have trouble removing
the transfer...just barely catch the corners is good enough.
Using tweezers, place the Heat Fix Rhinestones FACE DOWN onto the tape
exactly where you want them to be. IF you miss the place, you can remove and
redo as often as it takes to get what you want. REMEMBER, the GOOD
side of the rhinestone (shiny side with facets) goes DOWN into the tape.
Before you go any further, I should warn you....USE ONLY HEAT FIX
RHINESTONES FOR THIS PROCESS. The backings on Heat Fix rhinestones appears
somewhat rough, may have small grid marks in it, is either gray or green,
and it is matte. IF you have any doubt, place one of the rhinestones on a
scrape of fabric and place an iron heated to 'Wool' on it. PRESS hard
without moving the iron, hold for 25 seconds and lift iron straight up.
Allow to cool some. Stone should be well affixed to fabric. If it is not,
you have the wrong rhinestones to work with. Unless you are absolutely sure,
always test the rhinestones. It is not a waste of time to do this test. (
When you order rhinestones, make sure you state, HEAT FIX, IRON-ON, or HEAT
SET. Test anyway, for errors can occur in shipping from any company.
Play to your heart's content, arrange, re-arrange, do whatever you want.
When you are finished, carefully remove the tape at the corners of the
transfer tape (TACKY TAPE) and replace the paper backing (shiny side) back
onto the transfer tape. Be careful not to de-arrange your rhinestones. Now,
when you turn your new transfer over, right side up, you will see the final
product. If it is what you want, you are finished with this transfer. IF
not, you can make changes at this point.
Use this method when you want a unique pattern with exact placement of
rhinestones. Use this method when you want many identical images in
rhinestones. When your needs exceed 25 or more transfers of the same image,
it is probably better to consider having a custom transfer made for you, for
this method is very time consuming.
See below for diagrams of what I have said....a picture is worth a 1000
words.
Once you have the transfer made, you can apply it to any fabric with an
iron or heat press. Peal the backing off the transfer, place the transfer
onto the garment exactly where you want it. (you will not get a second
chance once heat is applied, so take your time and place correctly...you can
remove and re-place at this stage of the game. USE a NON-STEAM iron (no
holes), heated to 'WOOL' setting. If you are setting to tank tops or
Tee-shirts and have two layers of fabric on the ironing board, I suggest
placing a scrap of sheeting or muslin between the two layers before applying
heat, as the hot-melt glue could go through the 1st layer and stain the back
layer. Bring the iron Straight down onto the transfer and press as
hard as you can for 25 seconds or so. DO NOT apply heat longer, for the glue
can diffuse into the fabric too much and not hold the stones well. Larger
stones may take longer time...trial and error. DO NOT wiggle the iron or
move it in any way while setting the stones, as you run the chance of moving
the stones with the iron. Once the time is up, remove the iron by lifting
straight up. Allow the tape to cool for about 5-10 seconds and remove tape
by Slowly peeling. The tape must be still warm, if not hot. Otherwise, the
tape will bond to the fabric too well and will raise the nap of the fabric
too much. If, when peeling the tape, stones come with it, you have not
applied enough heat for enough time. Immediately stop peeling and replace,
re-do the heat step, then try removing again. Usually, this will not happen.
But it can with larger stones. So trial and error is the method to use.
IF you have a Heat Press, set it to either 305 degrees (Czech Stones) or 350
degrees (Swarovski Stones) at 15 pounds pressure for 25 seconds. Click here
for more information about applying
heat transfers.
The Image as you want it to appear
The Image as you will work with it
The above is absolutely necessary, or your transfer
will come out backwards!
Setting rhinestones, right side down, into tacky tape
with tweezers.
This method has advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages: you can place rhinestones closer together
with this method than can be done with prepared custom transfers; you can have
exact one-of-a-kind images, art, words, whatever; You can entertain your kids
for hours by having them make these things for their own clothing...really
cheap method of keeping them out of trouble during vacation times.
Disadvantages: this is very time consuming and
requires a steady hand. When you need multiple transfers of the same image,
and your needs exceed 50 or so, this method is not a viable option. BUT! If
you want a custom transfer produce exactly as you desire it to be, this method
is great for the test transfer. Be aware that for custom transfer production,
you will need to space your stones about 1/16" apart, for the transfer
process will not allow stones to abut each other EXCEPT by hand setting.
For a custom transfer, once the test is made, it can be scanned and faxed to
us for a quote and production.
I sincerely hope the information above is helpful to
you.
Also, I remind you that Tacky Tape is available at 5.00
per yard, 12 1/2" wide by as long as you want.
