B-Flex GIMME5 HTV Review and Silhouette Cut Settings (Free Cut File)

A lot of craft products come across my desk and it takes a lot for something to really peak my interest especially if I've been using an industry-leading competitor for years.

This is a sponsored post but all opinions are my own

But a few months back I got a package of heat transfer vinyl from B-Flex that claimed to press in just 4 seconds, at a lower than standard temperature, and have a true matte finish. Hmm...talk to me!

Pros of B-Flex GIMME5 HTV

These claims about the B-Flex GIMME5 EVO smooth HTV immediately made me pause. But they had my full attention at 4 second press - that means I can press 4-5x more in the same amount of time as I have been pressing for years!

A lower pressing temperature of 285 (F) also saves some time because my heat press doesn't need to warm up as long to reach the pressing temperature. It also means I can press on heat-sensitive surfaces that can't withstand a higher temperature.

And then they said HTV with matte finish and I was sold...well just about (let's put it to the cut, apply, and wash test first)!!  If you're like me and don't love the gloss or semi gloss finish of other heat transfer vinyl brands, B-Flex GIMME5 seems like a good option.

GIMME5 is slightly thinner than both Thermoflex and Siser Easyweed which means it's more pliable and soft.  It can be applied to cotton, polyester, and acrylic and it's able to be layered up to 5 layers!  It also comes in 47 colors which is awesome!!

The price of a 12"x15" sheet of GIMME5 is $2.85 at Direct Vinyl Supply. That's 15 to 35 cents less per sheet than other popular craft HTV brands.

Silhouette Cut Settings for B-Flex GIMME5

So it sounds good, but how does the GIMME5 cut on Silhouette CAMEO?  I tested with this cute dog design because it has multiple layers and large solidi areas of HTV. (You can download the free Silhouette design here.) Don't forget you want to make sure you mirror your design so you are cutting in reverse.  I did some testing and found the best Silhouette cut settings for BFlex Gimme5 to be:

Blade: 2

Speed: 5

Force: 14

Pass: 1

Application, Layering, Performance Test

Pre pressing the garment is not necessary and a cover (teflon) sheet isn't needed (or recommended) either so you can go directly to pressing.

I tested a few different designs to see how they performed during cutting, weeding, application and laundering:

• Large solid HTV transfer - typically large solid areas of HTV are where creasing and stiffness are experienced
• Small Intricate HTV - can be challenging to weed 
• Layered HTV - Can cause thickness and ridges at the edges of the layered areas

Large solid HTV transfer

• Cutting - No problem at all
• Weeding  - Weeds easily
• Application - With the 4 second press and hot peel the pressing process is extremely fast. The large areas, even with several layers were pretty pliable and did not make the shirt feel too stiff. You can definitely feel them, but they did not crease
• Laundering - Washed and machine dried fine (although I would recommending washing inside out and hanging or laying flat to dry) and no real noticeable wrinkles on the largest areas.  I would caution to make sure you use firm pressure with a pressing pillow to ensure edges don't lift or peel

Small Intricate HTV

• Cutting - Cutting small designs on the Gimme5 was no problem at all
• Weeding - The entire design weeded in one solid piece with the exception of the middle areas (counters)

• Application - Even with the very short pressing time and small adhesive surface areas, the small HTV design applied perfectly. Just make sure you are using a pressing pillow to get the best possible press.

• Laundering - With the right amount of pressure (hello, pressing pillow) there was no peeling during washing or drying

Layered HTV

• Application - The design I tested had was four different colors of HTV and in some areas there were four layers on top of each other. Each of the first three layers was tacked for 1 second to prevent shrinking with the final top layer being applied at a full 4 seconds. Overeall, I was very happy with how the Gimmie5 HTV layered

If you look closely you can see a slide ridge line where the teal layer is applied over the white and black layers beneath, but it's pretty hard to notice.

• Laundering - There was a no peeling on any of the layers

Cons of B-Flex GIMME5 HTV

Now..usually this is where I list cons and there is almost always something that I feel you should be aware of. But honestly guys I didn't find any except that it's only available in solid colors (no patterns) and this HTV is not widely available yet. However, no worries on that because I'm going to recommend you get Gimmie5 from Direct Vinyl Supply.

With BFlex Gimme5 EVO cheaper, thinner, and less expensive than other brands of HTV, not to mention that it's matte, cuts, weeds, and applies well at a lower temperature, can be layered up to 5 layers, and comes in dozens of colors -  it's found a regular spot in my craft room!

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. By clicking on them and purchasing products through my links, I receive a small commission. That's what helps fund Silhouette School so I can keep buying new Silhouette-related products to show you how to get the most out of your machine!

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