How To Use HTV On Wood With Your Cricut

Did you know that adding HTV on wood is easy? It almost feels like paint once it is on the surface. All of this in a fraction of the time of actually painting a design on wood. Plus you can get professional results easily! Sounds great right? Read on to see just how to add heat transfer vinyl to wood. Then you can make projects like this farmhouse wreath with a wood sign!

HTV On Wood Video Tutorial

Want to watch a video on adding heat transfer vinyl on wood? You can watch that below!

Can’t watch the video or missed some of the information? You can also keep reading below.

Types Of Heat Transfer Vinyl For Wood

I am using the Cricut brand of iron-on. However, any heat transfer vinyl should work for decorating wood. With that being said, you might have a more difficult time getting something like glitter HTV to stick to wood.

Types Of Wood You Can Use

I am using a wood slice in this example but you can even use painted wood with this tutorial. You can see a project I made with HTV and painted wood here. It is easier if you use a wood surface that is smooth. Otherwise, you can pick your favorite blank wood surface.

How To Add HTV On Wood

Now that you know the type of HTV and wood I am using, let’s decorate our wood slice!

Supplies Needed For Adding HTV On Wood

• Wood Round
• Cricut Cut File
• Cricut machine
• EasyPress or iron
• EasyPress Mat
• Iron-On Vinyl
• Scraper or old gift card
• Teflon sheet or parchment paper
• Weeding tools (optional)

Preparing Your Iron-On

Step 1: Pick Design

Pick a design that you want to cut out of heat transfer vinyl. You can find this farm sweet farm design here.

Step 2: Cut Design

Place your heat transfer vinyl face down on the mat. Mirror your design in Design Space and then cut using your Cricut.

Step 3: Weed Design

Then weed away all excess HTV. This includes the outside as well as the centers of any letters. You only want to be left with the design you want to be transferred to the wood. Have questions about using heat transfer vinyl in general? Try our post here.

Applying The HTV To Wood

Step 1: Add HTV To Wood

To get the time and temperature needed, look at the packaging or the website for the brand you purchased. If using the Cricut brand, you can use their heat guide here. Just be sure to pick wood as the surface to which you are applying the product.

Set the time and temperature on your EasyPress. Place either a Teflon sheet or parchment paper over the wood. Warm up your wood with the EasyPress for a few seconds. This is just to remove any moisture. Be sure to use the Teflon or parchment as it will protect your EasyPress. Some wood will have some sap come out when heated.

Remove the EasyPress and parchment then put your design in place on the wood. Add the protective sheet back over the top. Press for the recommended time at the right temperature using your EasyPress.

Step 2: Burnish HTV Onto Wood

Remove the EasyPress and protective sheet. Then run over the top of the iron-on with an old credit card or scraper. I find that this helps the material adhere to the uneven surface of the wood. I usually rub until it is almost cool then try to pull the carrier sheet back.

Step 3: Remove Carrier Sheet

If the HTV tries to lift when you pull back, just repeat the entire heating process. Continue until you can pull the carrier sheet off the heat transfer vinyl.

Step 4: Heat Design One More Time

Then add the Teflon or parchment back over your design and press one last time with the EasyPress at the same temperature and about half the time. This will ensure everything gets stuck down well. Once you have completed this final press, your project is complete and ready for display. Just be sure to allow it to cool completely before handling. The wood can hold heat for a while.

Now that you know how to add HTV to wood, you can use this process for all sorts of craft ideas!

So, will you be trying these techniques with your Cricut machine? Adding heat transfer vinyl on wood is one of my favorite Cricut craft techniques.

FAQs About HTV On Wood

If you have questions about HTV on wood I have answers for you! Please leave your question for me in the comments if you don’t see it already answered below!

Where Do You Buy Wood Blanks?

I usually get my blanks at my local craft store.

Do I Need To Prep The Wood At All?

If you want to stain or paint it, then yes, you would do that.

Do You Mirror The Image To Cut For Application?

Yes, you do.

I Heat Pressed On Painted Wood And My Paint Started To Bubble. Why Did This Happen?

The number one cause of that is not allowing your paint to dry long enough as the moisture is coming out. I would allow the paint to cure a minimum of 72 hours before attempting this.

Can The Wood Be Spray Painted? If So, Are There Specific Paints To Stay Away From?

You can paint the wood. The main thing I would say is that people do not let the paint cure long enough. For spray paint, I would wait 72 hours before applying anything on top. Then use the minimum temperature and time that you can get away with.

When I Use My Heat Press It Causes The Wood To Warp A Little But After A While It Lays Flat, Is This Normal?

Yes, that definitely does happen especially for thinner pieces. I sometimes allow it to cool while weighted down.

How Would You Seal The Finish Sign?

I don’t seal for indoor use. Outdoor – I use a few coats of polyacrylic over the entire thing.

11 More Projects Using Heat Transfer Vinyl And Wood

Did you love learning about HTV on wood, and are looking for more craft ideas? Then check out the projects below!

• Clothespin Picture Frame with Cricut Wisteria EasyPress
• Wooden Box Centerpiece with Iron-On
• Wood Gift Tag
• DIY Farmhouse Sign
• Personalized Door Hangers
• Wood Wall Art with Iron-on
• DIY Wood Christmas Sign
• We Are Still Growing Sign
• DIY Scrabble Words
• DIY Watercolor Picture Frames
• Floral Monogram Letters

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