The Guide to Heat Pressing Hotfix Rhinestones on Garments and Fabric

Are you looking for a way to add some glam to your garments? Adding rhinestones is a great way to elevate its overall look and add eye-catching sparkle. You can hand-place each stone to create your desired look; however, achieving the perfect placement can be a daunting task, and duplicating the pattern is almost impossible. Using a rhinestone template and transfer is a simple and effective technique that allows you to easily apply Be Createful Korean, DMC, or LUXE®  hotfix rhinestones onto fabric with perfect placement, with a trusted rhinestone heat pressing method Additionally, rhinestone transfers can be easily duplicated for team rhinestone apparel or larger projects. This guide will walk you through pressing hotfix rhinestones onto fabric with a rhinestone transfer.

Preparing Your Garment for Rhinestone Heat Press Application

Examine Your Garment Before Rhinestone Heat Pressing

First, start by carefully examining the fabric of your garment. Rhinestones adhere best to smooth, flat surfaces, so if your fabric has any bumps, wrinkles, or loose threads, it's essential to address these issues before moving forward. You can use an iron to apply Be Createful rhinestones, but we suggest using a heat press for rhinestones.  A rhinestone heat press provides consistent heat and even pressure to secure your beautiful hotfix rhinestones adhere properly to ensure the longevity of your project. Each rhinestone heat press is different, therefore we recommend that you test and make adjustments as needed. Additionally, not all garments are able to withstand the temperature required to melt the glue on a hotfix stone, so testing is recommended. 

Prepare Your Garment For Rhinestone Heat Pressing     

Next, prepress your garment for rhinestone heat pressing.  When you prepress your garment, it removes moisture and wrinkles, allowing for the best outcome, and it's a great time to find the center of your garment.  A quick trick to find the center of your garment is to fold it lengthwise, aligning the shoulder, armpit, and hem, and press for 5 seconds. After pressing your garment, you can open it to find a center line to match your transfer. 

Once the design is centered, leveled, and positioned correctly on the garment, place a Teflon sheet over it to protect against rhinestone heat press marks. We suggest adding a barrier like a Teflon sheet or unwaxed parchment/butcher paper inside the shirt. Placing a Teflon sheet between the front and back of your garment before heat pressing prevents the glue from bleeding through the fabric, which can cause the two layers of the garment to stick together. 

Using the Rhinestone Heat Press On Your Transfer 

Set your rhinestone heat press temperature to 335 degrees, use medium to firm pressure, and press for 15 seconds.  Testing with your specific heat press and fabric is essential, making adjustments as needed.  Either a cool or warm peel is acceptable when removing the transfer tape.

When peeling the transfer tape, do so in a smooth and even motion, going with the grain of the garment. This will prevent stretching and ensure a polished final product. After removing the transfer tape, we suggest a second press for an additional 5 seconds.  This can be done from the front or by turning the garment inside out and repressing the back of the transfer after covering it with a Teflon sheet. 

If you don't have a rhinestone heat press and need to use a home iron, set it to the highest non-steam setting, usually the Wool setting. Using a Teflon sheet, apply firm pressure in one place, without moving the iron. Moving the iron can cause your rhinestones to shift. Depending on the temperature of the iron, it may take 40-45 seconds. Lift your iron and repeat on all areas of your transfer. Remember to test the fabric prior to pressing to ensure it can withstand the heat and avoid using steam.

When peeling the transfer tape, do so in a smooth and even motion, going with the grain of the garment. This will prevent stretching and ensure a polished final product. After removing the transfer tape, we suggest a second press for an additional 5 seconds.  This can be done from the front or by turning the garment inside out and repressing the back of the transfer after covering it with a Teflon sheet. 

If you don't have a heat press and need to use a home iron, set it to the highest non-steam setting, usually the Wool setting. Using a Teflon sheet, apply firm pressure in one place, without moving the iron. Moving the iron can cause your rhinestones to shift. Depending on the temperature of the iron, it may take 40-45 seconds. Lift your iron and repeat on all areas of your transfer. Remember to test the fabric prior to pressing to ensure it can withstand the heat and avoid using steam.

Additional Rhinestone Heat Pressing Tips from Professionals

Seasoned rhinestone artists always have a few tips and tricks for rhinestone heat pressing and transfers, and we would love to share them with you.  

• When working with a garment that has a thicker or bulkier area like a seam, button, or zipper, consider using a pressing pillow to ensure all stones have even pressure. Additionally, metal zippers and buttons are fine, but plastic zippers and buttons will melt under the heat and pressure of a heat press.  

• Transfer tape is often reusable! Just replace the white backing for later use. 
• You can use HTV and rhinestones together on a design, but do not layer rhinestones on top of the vinyl because they won't adhere well. Instead, cut holes in your HTV like a template and press the stones in the holes directly onto the fabric.
• When creating rhinestone designs, investing in a Be Createful rhinestone color chart proves to be extremely helpful when looking for the perfect rhinestone quality and color!