If you’ve been crafting with heat transfer vinyl for a while, you probably have a growing pile of scraps. I know I do. Those little leftover pieces are too good to throw away, but they’re often too small to easily place on a Cricut mat.
So they end up sitting in a drawer.
Today I’m sharing one of my favorite tricks for using scrap HTV with Cricut. This method makes it easy to cut small pieces of leftover vinyl and turn them into something useful.
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What to Do With Scrap HTV: A Simple Cricut Trick to Use Your Leftover Vinyl
For this project I’m making a book-themed tote bag for book lovers, and the best part is that the design is made entirely from scrap HTV.
Instead of trying to position tiny pieces of vinyl directly on the mat, we’re going to use clear transfer tape to align the scraps first. The transfer tape holds everything in place for cutting and then doubles as a carrier sheet when pressing the design.
It’s simple, it works really well, and it’s a great way to stretch your crafting supplies a little further.
I’m also including a free PNG you can use in Cricut Design Space to make your own version of this tote bag.
Why You Should Save Scrap HTV
Heat transfer vinyl isn’t cheap, so throwing away those little leftover pieces can feel wasteful.
The good news is that scrap HTV is perfect for smaller projects like tote bags, kids shirts, cosmetic bags, and accessories.
The challenge most Cricut users run into is that small pieces of vinyl don’t stick well to the cutting mat. They can lift, shift, or cut incorrectly.
That’s why this trick works so well.
By using clear transfer tape, you can line up multiple scraps of HTV so they behave like one sheet of vinyl when cutting.
It’s one of those simple crafting hacks that once you try it, you’ll probably start using it all the time.
Supplies Used
Here are the supplies I used to make this book lover tote bag.
- Canvas tote bag
- Scrap heat transfer vinyl (using the same brand of scraps will yield the best results)
- HTVRONT clear transfer tape
- Cricut machine
- Strong Grip cutting mat
- Paper trimmer
- Weeding tools
- Tool Caddy
- HTVRONT Auto Heat Press 2
- Protective pressing sheet
- File Folders
Get the Free PNG Design
I created a cute image for the book lover that you can use for this project.
To download the design, just sign up for my Studio Letter. It’s my weekly email where I share new tutorials, creative ideas, and occasional freebies from my craft studio.
Once you’re subscribed, you’ll get access to the PNG so you can upload it directly into Cricut Design Space and follow along with the tutorial.
Sign up below to get the PNG.
View the step by step video below:
Step 1: Trim Your Scrap HTV
Start by gathering your leftover pieces of heat transfer vinyl. For this design I needed strips that were at least 10 inches long and 1 inch wide. I used my paper trimmer to cut them into strips.
Step 2: Use Transfer Tape to Align the Scraps
This is the trick that makes the whole process work.
Cut a piece of clear transfer tape slightly larger than the area you want to fill with scrap HTV.
For this project I used HTVRONT clear transfer tape, but if you’re curious how other brands compare for your regular vinyl projects, you can also check out my transfer tape comparison guide.
Place the transfer tape sticky side up on your cutting mat.
Now place your HTV scraps carrier sheet side down onto the transfer tape.
The transfer tape holds the scraps in place so they stay aligned.
Once everything is arranged, the scraps behave like one sheet of vinyl, which makes cutting much easier. It also makes transferring the design to your tote bag a lot easier than trying to line up all the pieces individually.
Step 3: Upload the PNG to Cricut Design Space
Next, open Cricut Design Space and upload the free PNG.
Resize the design to fit your tote bag. For a standard canvas tote, I usually size the design somewhere around 8–10 inches wide.
When you send the design to cut, make sure you mirror the design since we’re cutting heat transfer vinyl.
Step 4: Cut the HTV
Load your cutting mat into your Cricut and select the Iron-On setting, I use more pressure. The glitter iron on setting works well too.
Because the scraps are secured with transfer tape, they stay in place while the Cricut cuts the design.
Once the cut is finished, unload the mat and remove the sheet from the mat.
Step 5: Weed the Design
Now it’s time to weed the excess vinyl. Remove all the extra vinyl.
The design will still be attached to the transfer tape, which we’ll use as the carrier sheet for pressing.
Did you notice the craft tool caddy? They are available in my Etsy shop!
Step 6: Prepare the Tote Bag
Place the canvas tote bag on your heat press. Use a lint roller to remove lint.
I like to do a quick pre-press for about 5 seconds to remove any moisture and wrinkles.
Next, position the HTV design on the tote bag.
Step 7: Press the Design
For this project I used my HTVRONT Auto Heat Press 2. Most HTV presses well at around 300°F for about 10-15 seconds, but always check the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific vinyl.
Note: Transfer tape isn’t designed for use with heat. In my testing, it held up well at the temperature and press time used in this tutorial since the press is only applied briefly. I haven’t tested this method with higher temperatures or longer press times, so if you try it, be sure to do a small test first and use it at your own discretion.
Place a protective sheet over the design and press. Once the press is finished, allow the design to cool slightly before removing the transfer tape. Most of the HTV carrier sheets will lift off with the transfer tape. If any are left behind, simply remove them.
And that’s it! Your book lover tote bag is finished.
More Ideas for Using Scrap HTV
Once you try this hack, you’ll probably find lots of ways to use the rest of your scraps.
Here are a few ideas to try.
- Small tote bag designs
- Kids shirts
- Cosmetic bags
- Teacher gifts
- Aprons
- Baby onesies
- Book sleeves
- Reusable shopping bags
I hope you found this HTV Scrap Hack helpful. If you try this project, I’d love to hear how it turns out!
Happy crafting,
Michelle
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