UV prints aren't for apparel, but printing on HTV and then applying as a patch to a hat or bag - game changer! The height and texture look like stitching and there's no thread switching needed.
Today I'm going to show you how to make your own UV printed faux embroidery patches using brick HTV.
You'll want to start by converting your PNG file into an embroidery look. I use AI for this, and no, not by asking it to design a patch for me, but by giving it my exact artwork and a direct and detailed prompt. More on that in a minute, including how to get my exact command.
Open Silhouette Studio and bring in the PNG version of the file. Mine is just a circle. The cut line around the edge is what you're going to use to cut the HTV with your Silhouette.
Best HTV for Patches
I used Siser Brick HTV because it's thick and sturdy enough to easily be removed from the transfer sheet by hand, which you'll need to do.
Cut the HTV with your Silhouette CAMEO like you normally would - image mirrored and cutting from the back side of the HTV. For Brick HTV I use the Glitter HTV settings in Silhouette Studio, but increase to two passes.
Once the cutting is done, peel the HTV off the carrier sheet.
UV Printing on HTV
Now move over to your flatbed desktop UV printer. I am using my xTool Omni Dual UV printer, but you you could use the Eufymake E1 as well. I would recommend using flexible ink.
Place the HTV with the adhesive (shiny) side down onto the flatbed.
Move to your UV printer software and click "Scan" to scan the bed so it gives you the camera preview and measures the height of the HTV material.
Now import the faux embroidery version of your file.
UV Print Settings for HTV Patches
Change the printing mode to Texture or Relief (your preference) and then adjust the UV printer settings looking at the preview to dial in the height to your likeness.
For the ink mode I would do White + Color and as I mentioned Flexible Ink is preferable because the HTV will bend.
Hit Print so the UV printing begins.
How to Heat Press UV Printed Patches
The final step is to apply the patch to your hat. You can do this with a heat press.
The UV ink was fine in the heat press at this lower temperature and quick press and medium pressure.
About that Faux Embroidery look
I promised I'd come back to this.What I'm doing is telling it, at length and very specifically, not to touch my artwork at all. Then describing the material I want it to appear to be made of, using actual embroidery terms.
And it isn't only embroidery
Once you understand why it works, the same approach gets you chunky knit, crochet, chenille, felt, leather, quilted, even cross stitch.
Get my exact command
I walk through the whole thing - how to train your AI and what commands to use - in a new video at Silhouette U that you can preview before evening joining. I'll explain two full commands for embroidery and knit, what each section is actually doing, and the specific terms that steer the result when it comes back not quite right.Members can even grab my exact two prompts.
I also show you something that caught me out. A stray red cut line I never noticed in my original file came right back to me stitched neatly around every star, because I'd told it not to change anything and it listened.
I also show you something that caught me out. A stray red cut line I never noticed in my original file came right back to me stitched neatly around every star, because I'd told it not to change anything and it listened.
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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