by MeFlick » July 14th, 2015, 7:17 am
I have had plenty of experience cutting HTV over the years of owning my BC cutter. Its the primary reason I got my cutter as I was doing a lot of team shirts for travel sports teams. I have cut hundreds at this point and Siser Easyweed is what I have always used to do them with and white was one of the primary colors I regularly used as it was a primary color to several of the teams. Cutting white would be no different then cutting any of the other colors in my experience. Like Susan, I always have cut my HTV with a mat on this cutter as any design I had would usually fit on a mat and I liked the "extra support" that the mat provided (but then, I also started out with a cutter before this one that required the use of a mat and I was used to it.) However, I do know of others who cut HTV without a mat. Again, its personal preference and what you are willing to "risk" (having to recut it).
You have to mirror the design as Susan and Gigi have noted because the clear backing is the "Carrier sheet" - you leave what you want to press on the shirt or other item on the sheet and weed (remove) the unwanted portions. You then have to "flip it" and place it on the item with the carrier sheet still on it to press. You have to do this as the HTV is too thin to weed and transfer alone. (This is where many new users first mess up with HTV - they don't realize that unlike regular vinyl there is a clear carrier sheet that you want to keep the vinyl on for pressing and they try to cut through the carrier sheet side its self.) While HTV with the carrier sheet may seem thicker then regular vinyl - the HTV vinyl its self is not very thick at all - however it is "stretchy" and is made generally from a plastic type medium which is part of what needs to be considered.
I have always used the regular 45 degree blade when cutting HTV even when cutting fairly intricate designs. I usually always use the "click" holder no matter what material I am cutting as I prefer that holder generally. Typically my holder is set to have the blade out at 1 if a relatively new blade - never more than 2 even when it is an older and well used blade. I have never used a 60 degree blade or a detailed blade when cutting my HTV. I don't swap out the blade or the holder for different medium in general (even though I have them all. Too lazy perhaps!) As far as pressure (force) to use, that is somewhat dependent upon your machine, as each machine is different and how a user sets it up with the blade holder, blade depth, etc. is going to be slightly different. For example, my machine usually requires much less pressure then what many on here have posted they use with their machine and HTV. I usually use as low as 12/14 if I have a brand new blade otherwise it will cut through the backing/carrier sheet. Even with an old, well used blade I seldom go above 18/19. How old and dull your blade is will also make a difference. If you think your blade is old and well used, you might try a new blade. If you do - definitely start out with a low pressure as a new blade will take less and is more likely to cut through the backing and even your mat if your pressure is too high (yes, voice of experience). I do agree with Suzan, don't extend the blade more but increase the force slowly. Use scraps of the cuts you have already done to "test cut" a small shape or object. I prefer to do that over the "test button" - but everyone is different. I have plenty of scraps (I keep most any small size scrap that I think I can get something out of.) You also mentioned that it is cutting through one one side but not the other and that while you think the mat edges are a little curled that you think the mat looks flat. If the edges are a little curled, then the mat its self is probably not really flat. Plus how much you have "cut" into the mat will also effect the "adhesion" of material and can effect cuts so look at your mat where it is not cutting through and see how "well" it is used in those areas. You need to make sure that your HTV is well adhered to the mat - I always brayer mine down on my mat and if I am using an older/not quite as sticky mat - I will sometimes tape down the edges with some painters tape to ensure I am getting good adhesion to the mat.
Once you figure out the settings that work best with your machine, in general, they will work with that medium with very little alteration beyond some slight adjustment for the condition/age of your blade and/or mat.
Hopefully you were able to get it to cut what you needed to cut and shipped out. Now, I am going to tell you something that I know you probably "know" and that is that you should NEVER try to use a new medium and possible a new cutter under an extremely short deadline. It just adds to your frustration and issues (the voice of experience here!) If you have the project done now and have time to take a breath - do so then take time to play with any scraps that you have and practice finding the correct settings, seeing how well it adheres to the mat, if it is lifting off the mat, practice cutting and weeding on scraps so you are comfortable with doing it. The more you do with HTV, the easier it is. Cutting HTV and cutting regular vinyl are two very different animals and as they are made from different material and do cut and adhere quite differently. I actually much prefer cutting HTV over other vinyl because it adheres so well to its carrier sheet and is thus easier to weed in my opinion since regular vinyl sometimes wants to lift off its backing sheet when weeding (but then I have been doing it for years now). Order some more HTV and do some "practice" items just for fun. If you have kids, make them some shirts - if not - make them for someone else in the family or yourself so you can get comfortable with doing HTV before that next order comes in that has to be done!
Good luck. Let us know if we can help further. Let us see your "final" project too!
Go Vols!