If you’re looking to be more Earth-friendly in crafting, you’ll love the new Siser PureHT. This heat transfer material is completely compostable and the carrier sheet is recyclable.
I’m going to show you how to use this new material with your Cricut machine to make a fun layered shirt.
This new product is called PureHT or HTM instead of HTV because they have eliminated the vinyl aspect. It’s now just heat transfer or heat transfer material.
You can watch me use Siser PureHT with a Cricut machine by pressing play on the video below.
Siser PureHT
Let’s look at PureHT and how you can use it with a Cricut machine.
What is Siser PureHT?
Siser PureHT is similar to Siser EasyWeed but it is the world’s first compostable HT product. The heat transfer material is fully compostable so any scraps can be composted and the carrier sheet can be recycled.
The thickness and properties are similar so the things you love about Siser EasyWeed are not going away with PureHT.
PureHT looks and feels like other heat transfer materials. The care instructions are the same as well.
Siser PureHT breaks down with microorganisms, it won’t break down during the normal laundry process.
The life and durability of PureHT are the same as Siser EasyWeed.
What can you put it on?
PureHT can be applied to various materials—100% cotton, 100% polyester, cotton-poly blends, Lycra, etc. You can even apply it to materials that have some stretch to them.
With a pressing temperature of just 275 degrees, the heat is low enough to be safe on many materials.
What Colors Does Siser PureHT Come In?
Currently, PureHT is available in white, black, stone gray, rusted brown, moss green, ultramarine blue, paprika, autumn orange, and amber yellow.
These are all the colors available as of the writing of this post. I think as PureHT becomes more popular we’ll see it come out in more colors.
How to Use Siser PureHT with a Cricut
Now let’s make a project with this product to see how it works!
Supplies Used
Step 1. Cut with Siser PureHT with a Cricut Machine
To cut PureHT with a Cricut machine, add the material to the cutting mat with the carrier sheet side down on the mat.
If you’re unsure which side is the carrier sheet, use the weeding tool to lift the corner. The clear plastic side is the carrier sheet.
I like to use a brayer to make sure the material is stuck down on the mat really well.
Because this is an HT material, mirror the design before cutting.
The Everyday Iron-on setting in Design Space cuts PureHT really well. Load the mat into the machine and press the Go button to start the cutting process.
When the cut is complete, unload the mat and repeat the process for each additional color.
Step 2. Weed PureHT
The weeding process is the same as it is with other heat transfer products. Use a weeding tool to remove everything from the outside of the design and pieces in the design like the insides of letters.
This material weeds similarly to Siser EasyWeed. I didn’t have any problems with the cutting or weeding process with the settings I used.
I like to collect all my HT weeded scraps and save them in one place because they are compostable. If you have a compost bin, you can place it right in the bin. If you don’t have a compost bin, you can bury it in dirt and it will completely break down in about six months.
Step 3. Apply Siser PureHT to a Shirt
The pressing process is similar to other heat transfer materials. I am using an EasyPress for this project.
First, preheat the shirt to remove any moisture or wrinkles. Locate the design where you want it and press for 15 seconds at 275 degrees with medium for the first layer.
Siser PureHT is a hot peel, you can peel the carrier sheet away when it’s hot. I like to allow it to cool for a couple of seconds so the adhesive can adhere to the fabric but it does peel away easily when it’s still very hot.
Locate the 2nd layer on top of the first and make sure all of the PureHT is protected from direct heat.
I added the carrier sheet from my first layer over the top of the first and second layers and we’re ready to press the second layer.
This time I’m pressing for about seven seconds and then I can peel back both carrier sheets.
We’re going to follow the same steps for locating the 3rd layer and press again.
Once all the layers have been pressed remove the carrier sheets. If you notice any indentations from the carrier sheet, we can fix that on the final press.
Add the carrier sheet or a piece of protective paper to the top of the design making sure it covers the entire design.
Press for the full-time with medium pressure. When the time is up, remove the carrier sheet immediately and you’ll see that it looks really good.
Step 4. Composting and Recycling
All of the heat transfer material scraps are compostable. The plastic carrier sheets are recyclable.
Make sure that you are recycling the plastic in the correct way. There are different types of plastic materials and you want to recycle them correctly.
If you have ever felt that HTV products were wasteful, you’ll appreciate how eco-friendly Siser PureHT is. You can take it one step further by using a recycled cotton shirt like the BELLA+CANVAS recycled cotton/polyester shirt.
Care Instructions for Siser PureHT
When you finish the shirt, wait 24 hours before wearing or washing. After 24 hours, you can machine wash on cold with a mild detergent and no fabric softener. You can hang it to dry or dry it in the dryer on a low setting.
Do not use bleach or dry clean.
I like to turn my HT projects inside out before washing or drying.
If you follow all the application and care instructions, Siser PureHT will last a very long time on your garment.
Should you try Siser PureHT?
I am a big fan of Siser PureHT and I can’t wait for them to come out with more colors. The pricing is slightly more expensive than Siser EasyWeed. Right now a 12×12 sheet of white Siser EasyWeed is about $3.25. The Siser PureHT in the same size and color is about $3.75.
While it’s a little more expensive, being able to craft in a more eco-friendly manner is worth it to me.
I highly recommend trying it for yourself. It feels really good on a shirt and is easy to work with. If you’ve used other types of HTV using PureHT will be easy for you.
I hope I’ve answered any questions you have about Siser PureHT. If you have any additional questions, leave them in the comments and I’ll answer them for you.
