Knowing whether you need to warm peel or cool peel your iron-on vinyl (HTV) is important for getting the best results! Here’s a quick primer on warm peel vs. cool peel + a list of brands!
If you’ve ever had your iron on vinyl (also called heat-transfer vinyl or HTV) peel or bubble when you’ve peeled off the backing sheet, you probably have a warm peel vs cool peel problem!
Cold peel or warm peel specifies when you should peel off the liner after using your heat source (iron, EasyPress or heat press). If you don’t follow the manufacturer’s recommendations, you’re likely to have a problem.
Warm Peel vs Cool Peel
Warm Peel: remove the liner while your project is warm to the touch, but not hot (the plastic will be very hot at first and can burn you). This is when removing the liner will be easiest. If you allow it to cool completely, it will just take a little more effort to remove the liner but your project should still come out just fine for most vinyls. Generally warm peel vinyls will have a sticky backed liner sheet.
Cool Peel: allow your project to cool completely before you remove the liner. If you remove the liner while it’s still warm or hot, you risk your project warping, bubbling, peeling, or stretching—not cute! Generally cool peel vinyls will have not have a sticky back to the liner sheet.
What HTV Vinyl is Warm Peel vs Cool Peel?
Here is a list of common iron on materials. Always make sure to read the packaging to double-check the peel type before starting your project! Note that most of the warm peel materials can be peeled cool as well!
Warm Peel
- Cricut Iron On Lite
- Cricut Everyday Iron On
- Cricut Metallic Iron On
- Cricut Holographic Sparkle Iron On
- Cricut SportFlex
- Silhouette Smooth Heat Transfer (I often get better results with a cool peel)
- Siser EasyWeed
- Siser EasyWeed Stretch
- Siser EasyWeed Electric
- Siser EasyWeed Extra
- EasyWeed Perf
- Siser Glitter (warm ONLY)
- Jet-Pro SoftStretch Printable HTV
- Brick 600
Cold Peel
- Cricut Foil Iron On
- Cricut Glitter Iron On (also warm peels well)
- Cricut Patterned Iron On
- Cricut Iron On Designs
- Patterned Iron On (other brands)
- Siser Metallic
- Siser StripFlock
- Siser Holographic
Comments & Reviews
Kathy Rector says
this has been very helpful, thank you.
Diana says
This information definitely gave me some clarity. I applied a Cricut everyday iron on and peeled it as a cool peel instead of a warm peel and even though it did stick to my cotton sweatshirt, I didn’t feel as though it came out 100% some of the letters did look wrinkled and some corners although they did stick it felt a bit lifted so I’m decided to try again and praying for better results! Thank you for the tips!
Christine works says
Just getting into making tshirts and other items so much to learn ty for the tips
Samantha says
According to Cricut’s website, Cricut Glitter Iron On is cool peel.
Susan says
Thanks for this post!
I’ve been a Silhouette Cameo crafter for a couple of years but just recently tried HTV vinyl, and my first test project was a flop. Cool peeling saved the day!
Kim says
What if you buy heat transfer vinyl from a booth at a mercantil type place and there are no directions on whether it’s warm or cold peel and there is not a brand name? What would you suggest trying? The vinyl I purchased does not come with a cover piece to put on before you iron it. Thanks in advance.
Cori George says
I’d suggest letting it cool before peeling—almost all vinyls can be cool peeled, but you’ll mess up your project if you try to warm peel a cold peel vinyl. You can also do a test on a scrap of fabric!